Check your tank daily to make sure none of the fish are dead or dying.
Step2
Observe all of your fish individually. This will familiarize you with their behaviors and it will be easier for you to identify a sick fish.
Step3
Feed your fish every other day. Be sure to vary their diet.
Step4
Top off the tank's evaporated water with dechlorinated water.
Step5
Remove 5 to 10 percent of the tank water and replace it with fresh dechlorinated water once a week. This helps dilute unwanted chemicals in the tank and helps keep the tank's chemistry close to that of your own tap water. This means that you'll have fewer problems if you ever need to do an emergancy water change.
Step6
Scrape the algae from the tank walls once a week.
Step7
Check the filter pads every two weeks. Clean or replace them as necessary.
Step8
Test the water every two weeks. Wait at least a day after a water change.
Step9
Check the ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and pH levels every two weeks.
Step10
Siphon the debris from the gravel once a month.
Tips & Warnings
Keep track of your chemicals and maintenance schedule.
on 8/8/2006
As water evaporates, what it leaves behind is not necessarily healthy and it gradually changes the water's condition from your last weekly water change. As long as you are topping off with dechlorinated water with a pH balance and temperature very close to what's in the tank, you are helping not hurting, because it helps to maintain a healthy, constant environment. Yes, you are adding more minerals, but with a lot more water than if you just allow evaporation. Therefore, it lowers the mineral count in ppm. The fact of the matter is, it's really not that big of a deal in most cases of home use. Most people top off for appearance. Condition your water properly and you are good to go.
on 8/8/2006
If water has evaporated from the tank, it has left behind minerals and deposits that are generally found in even conditioned water. Remember to change 10-15% of your tank water weekly, but do not just add more water, because you will just be adding more of these minerals that can build up and become toxic to fish.
on 6/30/2006
As water evaporates, what it leaves behind is not necessarily healthy and it gradually changes the water's condition from your last weekly water change. As long as you are topping off with dechlorinated water, with a pH balance and temperature very close to what's in the tank, you are helping - not hurting. It helps to maintain a healthy, constant environment. Yes, you are adding more minerals, but with a lot more water than if you just allow evaporation. Therefore, it lowers the mineral count in ppm.
The fact of the matter is, it's really not that big of a deal in most cases of home use. Most people top off the tank for appearance. Condition your water properly and you are good to go.
Comments
Anonymous said
on 8/8/2006 As water evaporates, what it leaves behind is not necessarily healthy and it gradually changes the water's condition from your last weekly water change. As long as you are topping off with dechlorinated water with a pH balance and temperature very close to what's in the tank, you are helping not hurting, because it helps to maintain a healthy, constant environment. Yes, you are adding more minerals, but with a lot more water than if you just allow evaporation. Therefore, it lowers the mineral count in ppm. The fact of the matter is, it's really not that big of a deal in most cases of home use. Most people top off for appearance. Condition your water properly and you are good to go.
Anonymous said
on 8/8/2006 If water has evaporated from the tank, it has left behind minerals and deposits that are generally found in even conditioned water. Remember to change 10-15% of your tank water weekly, but do not just add more water, because you will just be adding more of these minerals that can build up and become toxic to fish.
Anonymous said
on 6/30/2006 As water evaporates, what it leaves behind is not necessarily healthy and it gradually changes the water's condition from your last weekly water change. As long as you are topping off with dechlorinated water, with a pH balance and temperature very close to what's in the tank, you are helping - not hurting. It helps to maintain a healthy, constant environment. Yes, you are adding more minerals, but with a lot more water than if you just allow evaporation. Therefore, it lowers the mineral count in ppm.
The fact of the matter is, it's really not that big of a deal in most cases of home use. Most people top off the tank for appearance. Condition your water properly and you are good to go.