Do BEFORE Every Water Change - I'm Pretty Dang Sure You Won't Hear Anywhere Else 🤭

[@VinzClorthokeymasterofGozer]

In the immortal words of Douglas Adams, "Don't panic, and always carry a towel."

[@Shmu22]

I put a piece of an old net (or a piece of pantyhose) over the end of my siphon for tanks with fry or shrimplets. I also drain into a bucket that is white. My ingoing new water is kept in yellow buckets while it dechlorinates.

[@thesmallscape]

Awesome advise!!!

[@jmdq1]

Small tanks with smaller fish that have dirtied substrate, with sand layer, lots of plants, that like soft water should have smaller water changes if everything is balanced in the tank . My 36 gallon bow front is such a system. Running for 3 years now, 4 inches of substrate. The most I do is 6 gallon water changes once a month. I use RO water that I fill up my empty gallon water bottles at the water machine at the grocery store. I use 5 of those and one gallon of Brita filtered water with water conditioner and add a dose of Seachem Flourish Excel according to directions. I have very hard tap water. When I first set up this tank I had 6 dwarf neon rainbows , so I did larger water changes and used more tap water that I filtered through my Brita filter, because they prefer harder water. So it depends on your water and what kind of fish your tank is housing. Now I have schools of black neons, green neons, white cloud mountain minnows, 1 honey gourami , 4 Julii Cory’s, 5 Ammano shrimp. And 5 months after I removed the rainbows and added the gourami, I added a male Plakat betta that was very small. The Gourami and the Honey gourami are getting along , I do have lots of plants and hiding areas, tall plants , and some duck weed.

[@Whips_World]

I have watched. I have norging to add. I just thought I'd comment, so KZbin knows you're doing good things over here 😁❤😁

[@thesmallscape]

Thanks, dude. Appreciate it! Enjoy this chilly day, sir.

[@cathyhendrix7552]

My number one is.....TURN OFF THE HEATER AND FILTER. Yeah, I burned up 2 heaters before I learned to make that my number one. HEHEHE 😂.

[@thesmallscape]

Yes! Great tip!

[@Laura-ed5kf]

As I listened I kept wondering aloud, “Did she mention the heaters…? Don’t forget the heater!” I’ve had a few melt the suction cups and one explode.

[@cathyhendrix7552]

@Laura-ed5kf YEP. IT sucks. Don't it? LOL. I just have to laugh about now though. 🤣

[@sewerrat7612]

Use a submersible put horizontal low in the tank avoid the heater issue all together.

[@DEast76]

​@@sewerrat7612do you plug it into an extension cord because my only problem with that is it won't reach my surge protector

[@section8230]

For my 75gal which has a lot of little tetras, I use a garden hose with a pre-filter sponge stuck on the end to change to water & not have to worry about a fish getting sucked out.

[@MeanOldLady]

Yeah... That's why I don't do duckweed... Such an invasive mess!

[@rudybriskar5267]

I use the Father Fish method. I don't have to do water changes.

[@guyfawkescorys]

My wife and I enjoy your videos and i just subscribed today. I use a python water change system on most of my tanks and added a fine mesh bag on the end of it so I don't suck up any of my smaller fish or shrimp.

[@bunnysparklzbunnytime5117]

I drain my water into a bucket. When I dump it out into the shop sink I put a stopper in the sink. Dump the bucket into the sink and give it one final check before pulling the stopper.

[@thesmallscape]

Nice! (Love your name! 🫢💚✨)

[@intothefuture1.618]

Awesome tips! Currently cycling some empty cube tanks but this has prepared me well for those water changes!

[@reginaphalanges7331]

Great tips! I absolutely love the highlights in your hair! So pretty ❤

[@thesmallscape]

Hi Regina! Aww thank you so much ☺️

[@jenniferforant852]

Gravel vac/water change into a white bucket-you can see if you sucked up something you didn’t want to before emptying the water!

[@feralon9570]

I've been uber careful, since I sucked up my baby hillstream loach, last year. Loving the the hair! (sorry I've been MIA for a few months), health issues.

[@growclipbonsaiforseniors1951]

Very good precautions. I use a piece of nylon sock that I use for the water exhaust of the wash machine on the bottom of the intake tube to prevent any baby fry being sucked into the bucket of water being collected during a water chance. For the shrimp, I use a bucket of the shrimp water and put the sponge filter in this water to see if there are any hitchhiker shrimp still on the sponge. If so, I can then net them and go to clean the sponge. Just some thoughts on what I do also.

[@wendymcdowell2341]

Excellent list, JoAnna! Thanks. 😊

[@thesmallscape]

😊

[@Brensters63]

Great video Joanna! Thanks! 😊

[@thesmallscape]

😊

[@susandevinney5867]

I like what you done with your hair. It looks very good on you and on tv

[@thesmallscape]

Thank you so much, Susan! So nice of you to say ☺️

[@rockyandmiles9889]

Your hair looks great 🙌🏻😉

[@thesmallscape]

Aww thanks for noticing! ☺️

[@chriscyr4982]

First I place my floaters in a another container to free my space and give good light to see what I'm doing, plus when it's removed I don't have to think about it. I have frogbit and salvinia mimosa so they're easier to put on stand-by than duck weed. Next I always clip the hose to the bucket so I never have to think about it coming out and making a mess. My suction portion ( clear hard tube ) is shorter than most people like it, so that tipping it upwards is easier. A shorter tube has a drawback however because there's less movement space for everything to tumble around in. Most people like a long tube because they don't like getting their hands wet. Next is my big secret, exactly 3 ft. from the hard cleaning end is a short section ( 10'' ) of easily squeezable LATEX tubing ( the tan soft tubing used in slingshot or tourniquets ) the small section is so easy to squeeze and either stop or just slow the flow that every gravel vacuum should have it. I love what I call the flow adjuster. I squeeze, tip-upward and remove. However I never gravel vac as I run UGF in tandem with HOB's in most of my tanks. Try the latex section, you'll never regret it ........

[@jonisolis9645]

Yep, always into a bucket first with tanks with small fish, tiny plants, and shrimp! If I had tap water I think I would always test the tap water first to make sure it is OK. I watched a few videos where people lost all their fish from bad tap water! But most important of all is to make sure you tank water really needs to have some of it changed. I followed too many videos saying to do a 50 percent or more water change a week and I just could not keep plants alive! Now I do less water changes and less water at a time and things are so so much better - the fish and the plants. So test before and see if a water change is needed.

[@1997goldwing]

Awesome advice!

[@rhondafitzpatrick1646]

Joanna, I absolutely love your new hair style!

[@thesmallscape]

Oh, thank you so much, Rhonda! Fun to have something different 😊

[@VaDirtfishing]

As ALWAYS. AWESOME VIDEO! THANK YOU!! 😊❤

[@thesmallscape]

😊!

[@GenXHeart]

Thank you!

[@katryn77]

Thank you for all your wonderful videos and awesome tiny tank tips! If i could make a request, would you be able to talk about tiny tank lighting, especially for 5 gallons and under where the water depth is often more shallow? I've been having a heck of a time trying to figure out how to set my lights to achieve high, medium, and low light!

[@thesmallscape]

I will definitely put it on the list!

[@lgottman418]

Always check the lid for my nerite before I put the lid down. I also always use a bucket. Check it for any residents and then use the water to water my plants.

[@fluffythewitch1642]

have 2 towels, a flashlight and a net at the ready! I've been so focused on not trying to suck up things I don't want to that I have accidentally pulled the hose out of the bucket, lol Also, I always take a flashlight and inspect the bucket after, net ready, for any rescue mission needed. In smaller tanks with fixed lights, I will unhook the light and set it in a position that I can still see in. I've knocked a few lights into the tank in my time too. lol

[@carlam.9529]

The VERY FIRST THING I DO is to UNPLUG THE HEATER OR TURN IT DOWN !!! I have ruined heaters by not doing this !!!

[@joshkreischer8030]

God. Another great video. Every time I see you at the gcca swap or watch a video, I come out with so much knowledge and save so much money. Thank you again for the fish on Sunday and all the great information.

[@thesmallscape]

Thanks so much Josh! Always fun seeing you 😃

[@cherylbelott]

Fantastic tips! I like to always have a towel nearby because no matter how careful I am, there will be some water to wipe up. On a good day it could be just a few drops…but other days, oh man, what the heck!! 😮😅 💦 Talking about rhizomes, I wanted to share a cool thing with you. I had a blue star fern that didn’t make it, but I had 2 rhizomes that still had green on them. I decided to float them horizontally in a small vessel of water but supported so half of the rhizomes were outside of the water exposed to air. (The rhizomes were laying flat at the water’s surface since it is a terrestrial plant) After 4-5 months it sprouted leaves!! I potted them in small pots just burying the roots in soil, and placed them in an open lidded jar to create a lot of moisture around them because of the transition from the water environment. I have 2 slow growing, but decently healthy plants! 🪴 So all that to say, I agree with you! Even though this wasn’t an aquarium plant, don’t toss those little rhizomes! Something might sprout! 🌱 Btw, I think your hair looks very nice!! 😊

[@thesmallscape]

Yes! Towels (and lots of them haha!) great tip! I love your rhizome story - how super fun to get some new leaves!! I love having little experiments on my window sill to see who’s gonna make it (and who won’t 🫢). Happy March and Happy nice weekend to you!! 😊

[@Soccerchick66]

Completely off topic, but do you have any recommendations for a clip on light (with a timer)for a 5 gallon tank?

[@juli8vdberg562]

I just refresh the top of each tank by say 15% max every two other days and then add few drops of a liquid fertiliser

[@johnlasco894]

I do all the same but not number five, because I don't have any floating plants. I use a turkey baster sometimes to get into tight spots. I'm wary of everyone 's location because I don't want to knock wood or rocks onto my snails. This is all good stuff to know. Thank you for sharing. Now I know I'm not going overboard thinking this way.

[@thesmallscape]

We can both go overboard with the details. 😆

[@niniemecanik]

I always forget to do so, but checking if your city did any heavy chlorine treatment is a good idea. My town always say when they do on their facebook page.

[@thesmallscape]

Really?! That’s an amazing piece of info - thank you!!

[@WilliamWelch-ow7kb]

Good morning sweet lady!! I just went crazy and “saved “ 2 baby betas from their bowls at petco (1 male and 1 female) set up each a 5 1/2 gallon dirted, planted, tannins, tiny hygger sponge filters. They both killed the nirite snails, I think the amano shrimp is still alive in males tank. I’m being taken over with algae. What can I add to control the mess that my babies won’t kill?

[@lynnbonica4342]

Love the tips. Thanks Johanna. Sorry if I spelled your name wrong. 🍄🫢

[@thesmallscape]

Hi Lynn! I answer to anything that starts with a J 😊 (Joanna 😊)

[@vampgaia]

I drain into the sink, but I have a net at the end of the tube to catch any escapees. I've over filled way too many buckets. LOL. I also don't gravel vac. I just water change. I have a lot of plants.

[@virgilisola4181]

I have a java fern that has a new rhizome growing off of one of the leaves of the main plant. I wanted to ask what is the best way to break it off of the leaf its grown on? The rhizome still looks small, but it now has 2 leaves its grown on it, and has grown some roots shooting out too.

[@cathyhendrix7552]

It should just pull off without much effort at all. I don't have one myself, but I've watched countless plant shows, and how to's, and each one just held the big leaf in one hand and got ahold of the new baby plant and pulled it right off. I never seen any damage to the bigger leaf. But you could search for these channels and find one that suits you and you can see how to propagate it that way. There are many to choose from. Good luck and most of all just have fun.

[@DEast76]

Yes just break it off and stuff it into a crevice or glue it on something. My wavy java ferns produce many babies

[@DashDrones]

I try not to do water changes, definitely stressful for fish. Maybe 20% once a year.

[@DashDrones]

​@@seragreener8522ah ok! My corys are breeding too and the fry are all doing well in a community tank with tetras, danios and amanos with no input from me. Suppose it depends on the tank?

[@DashDrones]

@@seragreener8522 👍 thank you! Yeah I like larger tanks, full of plants of course haha! The baby Cory fry are so entertaining, happy weekend 😎

[@thesmallscape]

Hi - I see you’ve already gotten some responses. Water changes shouldn’t strew out your fish if done appropriately for the tank. Happy weekend!😊

[@Pattibarz]

I put my hand over end or hold up right. Seems to work good. Learned after the first time all the waste ended up back in the tank. Lol

[@thesmallscape]

We’ve all been there (part of me hopes lol) 😆

[@Vincent-kx9ze]

Great video! Is that a shrimplette at 6:36 or some other aquatic life? So tiny! (Tiny white dot zooming for from center bottom to left)

[@Sea-cucumber1151]

I think those are shrimp seeds. Not shrimp at all just their name. Little detritus eaters.

[@thesmallscape]

Totally not sure…

[@thesmallscape]

Totally not sure - not a shrimplet but maybe another little tank critter or even duckweed leaf? A mystery….

[@Sea-cucumber1151]

@@thesmallscape yeah, I think the roundish shape makes them look like shrimp seeds. They always look like that white blur when zoomed in on. They are those little blackish/white things zooming around the tank with a purpose. They are harmless and fish find especially small fish enjoy chasing them and eating them. You can usually find a billion in your sponge filter or filters. Unless you have a lot of small fish then they risk their lives daily. lol they are always eating detritus or leftover food. “Ostracoda Podocopida (Seed Shrimp) they can be described as small crustaceans typically round or egg shaped, varying in size from 0.2 to 1mm . The body of a seed shrimp is encased in a calcified shell consisting of two parts, superficially resembling the shell of a clam The body consists of a head and thorax. unlike many other crustaceans the body is not clearly divided into segments. The head is the largest part of the body and bears most of the animal's appendages, two pairs of well developed antennae, used for swimming and feeding, a pair of mandibles and two pairs of maxillae (mouthparts) Seed Shrimp have no gills instead they take in oxygen through plates on the surface of their shells. Seed Shrimp are "Filter Feeders" using their antennae to filter and search for their food. They live on organic detritus and algae. Seed Shrimp form part of the food chain for other invertebrates and juvenile fish.” Seed shrimp are more like ball shaped with the naked eye, and football with magnification. Not to be confused with cyclops, copepods. They have those tiny legs hanging off that hold the eggs. They swim differently than the speedy seed shrimps.

[@estherabrams7274]

It looks like a scud, AKA amphipod, but I have yet to keep shrimp and see how shrimplets look. The main difference is that, viewed from above, shrimp are wide enough to see, but scuds are very narrow and pretty well disappear. Generally, scuds are great fish food, but in the absence of predators, they can overpopulate and that’s a bad time.

[@Finkeldinken]

A few minutes in: all your tiny gravel vacs are hiding along with your other socks and that twenty dollar bill you're absolutely sure you put somewhere smart years ago, for a rainy day. 😅

[@thesmallscape]

Yaaaa!!! AND a bunch of single earrings 😂😂😭 Lol - thanks for the laugh!

[@kelambrown4033]

Do you still keep and breed golden H formosa?

[@thesmallscape]

Hi! I have had a group in the past but currently only have one single one left.

[@kelambrown4033]

@thesmallscape would you be willing to trade or sell it or do you by chance know a breeder I could get some from?

[@Eddardstark9308]

I like to let my waste water buckets settle for a day or so just in case I accidentally sucked up any critters

[@bonniegoodwin5653]

Don’t have your cell phone with you when u clean your tank. 😬 My cell just 10 minutes ago went for a swim in my tank! Idk if I got it out quick enough but that’s a very expensive tank cleaning 😢 Just sayin.

[@thesmallscape]

Wow! That’s a good one! I’ve had a couple close calls but oh my!! I’m so sorry - I hope it’s ok?!? 🙏🤞

[@bonniegoodwin5653]

Got up this morning and it’s working like nothing happened. I found out that iPhones are water resistant for 30 mins at various depths, depending on your phone. Lesson learned though 😊 I just wanna say I’m so fond of what you’re doing. I think I’ve learned more from you than almost anyone else. So keep up the good work!