Top 5 Aquarium Water Change Disasters - Don't Let These Happen!

[@BenOchart]

Want more tips and tricks to care for your fish? Check out these playlists! Best Fish Keeping Tips Playlist is here: kzbin.info/aero/PLr8ew8o8WXoDLeItfzOiRG8DV-1W9qNX4 Lowering and Controlling Nitrates Playlist is here: kzbin.info/aero/PLr8ew8o8WXoD-pzZaHgtIFqurG9HZn2zz Every Live Stream is Here: kzbin.info/aero/PLr8ew8o8WXoApHjaPfc6rdr7oipfEbZ-k The Water Change Tips & Tricks Playlist is here: kzbin.info/aero/PLr8ew8o8WXoCdEYkD0rQa0OWejFk5-bHD SunSun Canister Filter Playlist is here: kzbin.info/aero/PLr8ew8o8WXoCiMWEpBFJFJGxTqJH_MdMg Fluval Canister Filter Playlist is here: kzbin.info/aero/PLr8ew8o8WXoC8gSuqdG1c4nOzlAMFTmiD

[@nospoon4799]

You forgot exploding heaters :-)

[@BenOchart]

@@nospoon4799 True, that's a good one.

[@donnaanderson4480]

I had a established tank of 15 yes grand child put stuff in tank had to do several small water changes tank will not regulate aits murky for 10 days won't clear

[@crumbsy1]

Hilarious. It’s like you’ve been sitting by my tank watching me mess up.

[@BenOchart]

We've all made some of these mistakes along the way. Thanks for watching.

[@Fathernsonadventures]

@@BenOchart hahaha I just did this today I didn't know my house wasnt in the bucket any more and put about 1/4th gallon on my carpet lol a lot of fish food and poop. I test the ph before and after a change. Now I watch the amount of water I take out I am trying to hit rid of all the ammonia but it stays at .25 same fore nitrate at .25 my tank hasn't finished cycling yet. But I only have 2 fish in it right now. I am going to get about 10 shrimp which will help get rid of a lot of poop and old food. And I think we are getting 4 more zebra danio. We had 3 total but one got killed by the leader of the danios and then my betta killed that mean danio with the help of the last good danio.

[@litoloco4fish]

So correct my friend!!! Great video...as I get older man its getting worse..I must sit and look at my tank or I will forget everything. Fish give me a CALMING feeling !!! Except when I have a senor moment

[@BenOchart]

Lito Loco 4 Fish I’m right there with you 😀

[@SebastianBlackwell94]

I haven't overfilled a tank before, been in the hobby for 2yrs. But ive done the opposite, flooded my bucket 🤦‍♀️

[@BenOchart]

Yup, me too. I looked away for what seemed like a second ...

[@Anna-tc6rz]

@@BenOchart thats why i fill mine up in the shower lol.

[@skeetskeet4554]

I just stick the hose out my window and let it rain down on my neighbors car

[@miserybusiness7648]

@@skeetskeet4554 lmao

[@georgessciencelab8121]

Same

[@happycat2079]

Just want to say thank you I was new to keeping an aquarium and by accidentally killed all 3 of my fish it was after a water-change and I couldn't figure out what I did wrong but you just told me exactly why everything went wrong and why I couldn't recover in time. from this I have decided to go into a in depth study before I get a new tank and decide to try again this was amazing and super helpful thanks again keep up the informative channel.

[@BenOchart]

I'm very glad that you found this helpful Margaret and good luck with your new tank. If you're on FB, come join the "Ben O'Cichlid" group. There are some real helpful people there.

[@Ldr809]

😂 any fish in that tank ^^^ is not getting clean pristine water ,look up father fish on KZbin .with a natural aquarium you will never have to clean your tank once maybe fill the top due to evaporation,father fish has had a fish tank for 20plus years no water changes no cleaning and it’s full of life 😂 I laugh at these videos man .

[@aquadesignsbymlt4769]

All good points! Years ago, helped a friend do a water change on her big tank. After a couple glasses of wine, I mentioned the water felt prickly. She couldn't figure out why either. Then it dawned on us! Electrical cord was hanging in the water in the back... I was being electrocuted ever so slightly! I don't drink anything anymore when i do a water change. 🤣

[@BenOchart]

Ouch!

[@elayshobeycurrey9496]

Jesus take wheel lol!🤣

[@aquadesignsbymlt4769]

@@elayshobeycurrey9496 😂🤣 I drink only lemon water now, haha

[@elayshobeycurrey9496]

@@aquadesignsbymlt4769 good to know sis🤣😇

[@BreakerInc]

Oh no! ROFL

[@chuckchuck8487]

Doing a water change is the best part of the hobby, it's the Bob Ross part of the hobby! Happy little plant here happy little fish here..

[@BenOchart]

So true!

[@theasceticaquarist3783]

Awesome video! It was less like being told a list of mistakes you could make during water changes, and more like having a conversation with an old friend!

[@BenOchart]

I like that a lot. Thank you!

[@susanbriggs862]

Number 5 is a great point that most of us don't consider. Lost a fish last week from aggression day after a water change. Now I know why. They were in spawning mode. Great explanation.

[@BenOchart]

I try to observe for a while immediately after a water change. It can get interesting with males doing breeding dances with each other and other fish trying to clear fish out of area to make a nest. A little less when I do a 20% change instead of a 50%. Thanks for stopping by Susan and supporting the channel. I notice 😀

[@Aqua_Man84]

Great video.. I used to keep fish many years ago and never had these problems. 15 years down the line I got a tank for my son and he wasn’t interested. So now it’s become my mini obsession 😆. I made this mistake and had a spike in deaths and lost quite a few fish. Straight to the point and very informative. Appreciate your time. Thanks and subbed

[@williamjansson]

Good one, this should be posted on all forums across the globe. Fish dying? Question 1, is usually. How long have your tank been running. Under 1month - cycle. Above? Q2 Temp? Ph? Well/city water - additivs. Q3 recently sick fish/newly added fish? Q4 filter, sump? Cleaned it recently? How, with what. Rarely needed to ask more.

[@robertcheever7940]

Another good vid,My water change formula is 1-12 oz beer per ten gallons,be sure to check PH,Amonnia,Nitrite and BAC levels.!!!!!

[@BenOchart]

LOL! "1 - 12 oz beer per ten..." LOL!

[@audramckinney487]

😂😂🤦‍♀️👍👍 that’s 12 for me🤪 *overflows tank while drunk on the floor

[@carlosdaniel00325]

Nice video ! All points are on straight. In my experience I would also add: the release of gas pockets that are created inside the gravel or sand by decomposing food or organic material. When vacuuming the gravel or sand that gas can get release into the water column. Sometimes fish can get poisoned by that. In my tanks, I tend to decore with rocks, and lately I have decided to avoid rocks because uneaten food gets trapped in between. And when I move them to vacuum, those uneaten food and poop get out on the water and I can’t avoid fish to go for them as food. I have lost some fish because of that

[@BenOchart]

True. It amazes me when I lift rocks just how much waste has worked its way under there. Doesn't seem possible but there it is. Thanks for watching!

[@grekobmc9119]

Great video!!! A lot of common sense. I do the same, connecting tap water directly to the tank, but something critical I do is turn off filtration x 30-45 min and turn on a little pump (inside tank) to mix well and rapidly the prime with the new tap water accelerating the dechlorination time and reducing the negative impact to the bacterial load. Never had problems. 4 years in the hobby.

[@BenOchart]

Hey, if it's working, then it's the right thing to do. I usually let my filters run (as long as the water line isn't too low.

[@ultimatefishkeeping]

I always treat the water. I always leave my Fluval FX6 on, I never switch it off. Great video Sir. Have a nice day.

[@appeabbe7199]

Im so glad i have clean water where i live n dont have to treat it.

[@keetam6696]

How often do you clean the filter? I have one

[@denisepollitt1021]

Great video. I've never encountered 4 of these disasters. However, forgetting to pretreat the water is something I've done on more than one occasion. That is definitely a biggie for me.

[@hitmanslayer3003]

Denise Pollitt same here

[@BenOchart]

Very easy to get distracted and forget.

[@nicklespale22]

@@BenOchart I'm here because of this. I changed out 50 percent of the water this time since the water was so filthy it was yellow, it's a 55+ gallon tank. The 3 fish I have sunk to the bottom and started hyperventilating in a huddled group, fins down, minimal movement. I dropped several tablets of Jungle:Ammonia Clear in the tank and 2 hours later things haven't changed. Another hour or so later and I dropped them in a 5 gallon Jungle:Ammonia Clear fizz tab treated solution of their current water+spring bottled+boiled tap. Long story short, they're moving and swimming around normally again but they're still hyperventilating for the most part. Googling the situation turned up fruitless as it seems no one has experience with nursing fish back to help after ammonia poisoning. They're big goldfish, all at least 6inches, and I'd really love to see them make it out of this.

[@emiliomolina5778]

Great Vid Ben!!! It happens to all...I learned a lot long ago when I had a salt water tank! I took that into the cichlid tanks and haven't lost any since unless it got bullied and taken out...I have a 55 gallon drum with a heater and powerhead. I prepare my water the day before, usually on Saturday cause I do my water changes on Sunday. I fill it with tap water, live in the city...treat it and add the trace, safe, buffer and it's ready for my change the next day!!! Only takes me 1\2 hour to make and I run it overnight and it's perfect conditions to avoid shocks...Even though I flooded several times filling the drum....lol.....It's been a fish changer ever since!!!! Hope this helps others!! Thanks again!!!

[@BenOchart]

Sounds like a great system Emilio!

[@signetulupan]

Do I need three trace, safe and buffer?

[@fishtalk3379]

Great video. For me having treated water setup the day before and adding a heater to match the tank temp are essential. Using 32 or 64 gallon receptacles on wheels makes moving from room to room quite easy then simply pumping the water back into the tanks with a small to moderate power head has saved more than half the time to do my water changes. Additionally I use a DIY water changer to pump the tank water out to my garden or into the wash and for 10 tears now I have never lifted a bucket.

[@BenOchart]

That's awesome. If I was still using buckets I'd have 24/7 back pain.

[@joythompson4134]

You got me on the first one. ADHD + PWC = Flood I’ve forgotten to unplug stuff and also forgotten to plug back in. I only forgot the dechlorinater once and remembered within 10 minutes so okay thank goodness 😅 Great video as always 👍

[@BenOchart]

I love honest fish keepers 😀😉 Thank you for watching Joy!

[@brooke3140]

Yep I've forgot to add it to my water once too. It was also about 10 minutes but I felt so bad. I've been guilty of over cleaning. Had a 10 gallon tank given to me and thought how hard could this be? Ha! My first water changei tore the whole thing down and scrubbed everything. Even changed the filters. I had no test strips nothing. I could tell they werent happy so I took about 30% of the water out every other day until they acted right again. Those poor little guppies! One even got a horribly curved spine but still loved 2 years! No idea how! I feel like a noobie again because I'm adding rooted plants, mystery snails and 6 sakura cherry shrimp. I'm so lost with which fertilizers are safe for them and the plants and no more carbon in my filter. I feel so bad of and when they die on me because I know it's something I did

[@bthearen]

I think a common mistake among beginners(as you said, ask me how I know lol) is doing too big of a water change(75%+) --- when you find an ammonia spike, pH crash, or your nitrates get out of hand so, as a newbie, you freak out and decide to replace all of the water or most of it thinking you're doing the right thing. Instead, the dramatic swing can kill them off. Happened to me and I can honestly say I thought I was trying to save them but ended up losing several fish. It was heartbreaking but, I learned my lesson! I think this would fall under your "shock" category. Just remember that when this happens, slowly acclimate your water back to normal.

[@BenOchart]

Unfortunately Aaron this is the "school of hard knocks" so many of us continue to attend (I don't thing fish keepers ever "graduate", LOL!). Thanks for watching.

[@creativenu4103]

I just did this so many cichlids are dying

[@fishwhisperer262]

excellent video Ben. will be sure to add myself to the fb discussion page for sure

[@michael-ev5fk]

All good lessons Ben. I plan on running my water through a charcoal reactor during water changes when I get my 200G up and running this summer. Hopefully that will take care of any surprises from the water company. Will pay attention to these lessons. Thanks Ben 👍

[@BenOchart]

Smart idea Michael!

[@HalfManHalfCichlid]

I do all my WC's on the same day. I pretest the tap water for total chlorine and ammonia. This catches the days when the water company bombs the water with chlorine and chloramine. Takes less than 3 minutes using test strips. Economical, practical and an insurance policy against a disaster. Great video btw

[@CraigersFish]

Totally agree. Here lately our water out of the tap has been showing 3.0- 4.0ppm ammonia on API test kit. I test tap water before every water change to help me determine my Safe dosage for my water changes.

[@BenOchart]

Great safeguard. An ounce of precaution ... Thanks for stopping by John.

[@metrotrain]

Wow. #5 I can definitely say that is true. I have seen this happen after every water change.

[@bearythoughts1849]

I rinse out detritus out of filter pads out occasionally when doing water changes but mostly don't and just replace media once it's exchausted it's effectiveness. I stand water in buckets and boil water from the cold tap and not hot tap as bad bacteria in the emersion tank kills fish. Never rinse pads with flowing or still tap water because of chlorine and chloramine and metals added to the water for our consumption.

[@wyomingadventures]

I've flooded my floor 2 times last month. Great information. 👍😊

[@BenOchart]

Is it a wood floor or carpet? I hope not. I've had some good spills and you've never seen someone throw down towel faster than me, LOL!

[@Whey2010]

Very true! You nailed it Gangstah Ben!

[@BenOchart]

“Gangstah”🤣🤣🤣

[@vblackwell3347]

@@BenOchart It's so nice of you to actually take the time to read AND respond to quite a few of your followers.

[@fishlover9353]

Hi Ben. My biggest problem is adding to much of things As everything shows how much for 50 gallons and I have all 10 gallons so for me it’s trying to get the right amount of prime or meds etc. great video as usual,get to see some of the beautiful colors on the 🐠 👍👏🏼

[@BenOchart]

I hear you. Fortunately with most of those formulas you can be over a bit and it doesn't matter.

[@fishlover9353]

Thank you 😄

[@rmk22sr.2]

Great video Ben I learned the hard way on my heater I didn’t unplug it while I was doing the water change which did damage it

[@matesratesmowingmaintenanc7760]

Thank you for this info ! I've learnt some hard lessons, also nice to see I'm on track with my changes.

[@earljoshvonfabian5868]

flood while watching your filter video about canister hahahah

[@BenOchart]

Blame me, LOL!

[@joythompson4134]

😂😂😂

[@litoloco4fish]

Lollllll😂😂😂😂

[@dbirdtyrewright]

Lol

[@airplanegeorge]

I do my refills from a roof filled rain barrel with a sump pump hooked up to a garden hose. never had a problem, except maybe the flood caused by too much beer.

[@therangler2808]

Hey, could you make a video on what would happen if you added too much chlorine conditioner to your tank

[@michaelskuse4019]

Hi Ben, you're right as we get older we do get more distracted with things like watching the fish or just relaxing for a minute while things are going on. I've gotten to the point now where I built myself a overflow alarm out of a smoke alarm with two wires attached to the test button one on the terminal on either side started to the back of it strip the wires back keep them to the floor directly under the tank or in the sum area of your cabinet then when your water overflows you at least have an audible alarm before it flooded the entire house.

[@BenOchart]

That's a smart precaution Michael.

[@laceytopmiller794]

Hahaha..I flood mine bc I'm staring at another tank

[@joythompson4134]

Lacey's place same here 😂

[@almonday2244]

Yr video showed up at the right time. i just stared up my new 36 gal tank 2.5 weeks ago and i am researching everything i can to give them the best life i can. its been 16 yesrs since i ve had a tank. i did a water change last night. it was my third one so far but it is the first time i mess up, and listening to u I did many things wrong and three of my babies die right then and there. i c now i under treated the water and i did not add stree coat thinking they did not need it..water temp was good i used an electronic one pretty good. was not in a hurry. right now i have all the time i need to spoil them and do things right. thank you very much for helping me understand the extra things that could happen. i will be looking out for those things as well. have a great night.

[@BenOchart]

Thank you for the feedback and I’m glad you found the information helpful. Welcome back to the hobby 😀👍🏻

[@blah3071]

I feel so dad and I’m so sad... all of my fish died today when I did a water change😭

[@BenOchart]

That's terrible. Did you figure out what went wrong?

[@RIOOPRODUCTIONSTM]

Mines also today

[@nikolaj1316]

Bloody morons

[@rizkhan8926]

Experienced same today 😥

[@rohan7318]

same today

[@todddiedrich9106]

Nice video at some point of keeping fish you will have water on the floor. What I’ve found is to have at least 2 power strips 1 for lighting with timers and cabinet lights and other for pumps,power heads,heaters,anything you want off when doing water changes so all you have to do is turn off switch and turn back on no unplugging anything and of course their high up so water doesn’t drip in them

[@BenOchart]

Yes! Great tip. I'm doing that with the 150 but need to do it with 60 and 100. Thanks!

[@dangerdan2592]

Thanks for the video. I have an additional question. When you say treat for the entire volume, do you mean that even when you are only doing a partial water change, say 20% water change in a 5 gallon tank, you still put enough drops into your tank to treat the full volume of 5 gallons even though it's a partial water change? Thanks for any help you can give.

[@BenOchart]

Each brand of conditioner lists recommended instructions. If going from tap to tank you would usually treat for the full volume of the tank (not just for the amount replaced). When refilling from something like a bucket, you can just treat the water in the bucket before adding.

[@sabinegray1450]

Good question!

[@johndimalanta8822]

very good discussion of the dangers of water changes

[@jupiterkingoffire3992]

Maybe you had a few beers 🍻😆😆😆that was funny. I do like to have my Hennessy while working on my tanks😉but I’m focused on what I’m doing

[@BenOchart]

Well, not drinking too much is good advice during a water change, right up there with "Never take a sleeping pill and a laxative at the same time." LOL! Thanks for watching.

[@nicolacacioppo4811]

Thanks great info for new fishkeeprs

[@BenOchart]

You are welcome!

[@migscott8850]

My new koi guppy and other fish died and they are all pregnant 😭😭😭 so heart breaking

[@mechanism4185]

I did the same mistake

[@hemkeshyeole4630]

Samee😭😭

[@TechAndTravelWithKapil]

Superb. I learned lot from you like bacteria disaster and now mistake during water change 💕💕

[@wintersoldier2087]

My dad use to flood the living room almost all the time ..🤣falling asleep on the couch

[@bojohannesen4352]

Not very bright was he

[@lancemilligan2525]

When I do a water change, and i'm not vacuuming I run my line to my washer drain line. Well I forgot to put the washer drain pipe back into the drain behind the washer and well......Did a load of cloths and it was bad. 99% of mistakes come from getting sidetracked like you said.

[@dominic.h.3363]

The flood, yep. Half an hour later I made a super simple water level alarm with a computer motherboard tweeter I put on the rim of the bucket in which I siphon the tank water.

[@BenOchart]

We get real creative and effective after a mishap. I like the alarm idea!

[@Greencloud8]

I use Soil and sand from the beach Then some water plants that use the soil and the fish waste grow and the sand also somehow keeps it clean My tank is clear and has always been

[@jerrymartin4047]

Flooding happened once. Great topic.

[@jacquelinekariuki4055]

I've done it once or twice! That's a terrible feeling you get when you start hearing trickling. "OHHHH NOOOOO"🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@BenOchart]

I can get a lot of towels down real quick when water starts spreading on our wood floors! It's a real fire drill!

[@amandajones9917]

I have a large tank with water that is treated, cycled, and heated to the same temperature as my tanks. I can take water out and put it back without bothering my fish.

[@pman8130]

Something I do which I think helps my cichlids is, I skip feeding my fish for a day after a water change. I think it gives the good bacteria time to build up and reduces the ammonia spike in the tank

[@joythompson4134]

P Man that’s a good idea. I always feed them after so they like me again, but your way makes more sense 👍

[@urbansk8r231]

What you can also do is add bacteria starter of any brand. Make sure though it's the right bacteria. Anaerobic and aerobic bacteria - The one that are used in the nitrogen cycle. But don't get the bacteria that's used to break down uneaten food & debris in your aquarium. Sinead the bottle.

[@Blu3ni0000]

@@joythompson4134 haha! little did u know.... they hated your guts. lol

[@Skysmeller1]

A few years ago I did a 40 gallon water change on my tank and left the hose inside the tank and got distracted and took a shower. Needless to say I came into my living room with the entire thing flooded and my Gardner and his entire team came into my house and helped me clean everything up. Five years later, he is still my Gardner and I will never leave him.

[@MyTinyBalcony]

I never touch my filters or vacuum at the same time. And will water change 48 hours after adding new fish.

[@kevinwaterman7140]

Years ago our than five year old son tried to cook a tank full of fish by turning up the heater to the max! When I noticed all the fish swimming near the top I noticed the water was very warm. I tossed in some ice cubes to cool things off and was able to save some fish, has it continued much longer I would have lost everything in the tank.

[@johnireland3521]

I got a small tank that I fill up get the water to the right temperature right pH then do the water change

[@BenOchart]

Sounds very safe. Thanks for watching.

[@alexm1755]

Good information

[@thebear6529]

Yes sir great video, and very true. Your a kool dude Ben,god bless.

[@BenOchart]

Thank you!

[@StuartOliver83]

Super polite helpful chap,thanks mate 👍🏻🇬🇧

[@MS-sr4hr]

Ur content is Super Genius 💯

[@GSP-76]

Ammonia is the biggest problem with water changes because it's regularly used by water departments across the country...you would see it more in the winter than summer but they do add it so be careful. Ben the stir up is real...water changes change the make up of the tank and the temperature usually changes with the water change...I had this happen yesterday and the temp of my tank went up from 79 to 83 after doing a 40% change...it definitely caused a "stir" and several fish became more aggressive for a few hours.

[@BenOchart]

Gurvinder Parmar Ammonia in the water. I doubt it’s even safe for humans 🤔 My venustus went after my polystigma real hard after a water change. Thanks for watching Gurvinder 😀👍🏻

[@GSP-76]

@@BenOchart Yes, as crazy as it sounds, they do treat water with ammonia along with chlorine.....I think the sudden temp change is also a big factor in their sudden aggression...cichlids in the wild generally mate in warmer seasons so I think that is a trigger...but in my tank, the water changes don't come every week like they used to in the past. So now, when that change comes, I think it affects them more because they aren't used to it.

[@BenOchart]

Makes sense. Creates mass confusion in an all male tank.

[@rhondapalmer8948]

I would add 1mm distilled white vinegar per gallon to neutralize the ammonia. It will save your fish.

[@simplebatu]

And my wife wonders why I insist on sitting in front of my tank watching it whilst it is being filled via the hose.

[@BenOchart]

It fills faster when we're not looking, LOL!

[@andrewchristensen2576]

I have African cichlids in one 55 and an African / South American's in another 55. The African/South take was an experiment and has worked fine for 4 years. I occasionally transfer African fish back and forth due to aggressiveness but never the Jack Dempsey or the Severum's. I add my 3tsp of PH buffer each change, that is usually 6, 5 gallon size buckets along with vacuuming of gravel and then add approximately 4 or 5tsp of salt when complete. I have 2 clip on tank type filters, 1 Aqua Clear 70 and the other Marineland 120 in which only the Aqua 70 gets cleaned every 2 months and the other maybe every 4 months. I think doing bucket changes is safer because you to tend to pay more attention. I'll add 1 cap or less of API conditioner to every bucket and at least one cap of Prime to one of the 6 buckets. About 8 years now of doing bucket changes and following certain steps when cleaning and all is good. I enjoy your video's and enjoy people's comments good and bad. You can learn alot from others experiences. People that get offended by others comments need to learn that regardless what trolls or others say to you can't hurt you because they aren't family or friends so things they say can't hurt you because you don't know them well enough to affect you. Looking forward to seeing more videos and comments!

[@catfishcave379]

I have only been guilty of flooding the floor (many times in the house, countless times in the garage) and draining too much water (99%-twice) in my aquariums. I have also forgotten to plug the filter back in. (holy hydrogen sulfide, Batman)

[@BenOchart]

An honest fish keeper. All I can say is, "been there , done that!"

[@timelapses4529]

You should put a line on your fish tank to know how much water to take out it’s a lot of help

[@gameova77]

@@timelapses4529 yeah I just use buckets

[@nitrorsfour]

Awesome video. Great advice

[@BenOchart]

Thank you!

[@shesellsfish]

Having kept fish for over 30 years, I'm guilty of a couple of these more than once. 👍💕👍

[@Zapton5]

Me too you would think with all this experience we would know better.

[@laceytopmiller794]

Excellent video..thanks for the helpful advice

[@BenOchart]

You're welcome Lacey

[@ashscichlids7057]

Good info! Beautiful fish!! New sub!

[@BenOchart]

Thank you!

[@williamleidy6713]

Number 2 taught me alot .

[@GetInGarage]

Only (so far) issue I have had was a bucket with a small hole in it. Left the old water sitting on the carpet too long. Was using separate bucket to fill tank at room temperature. Was not happy

[@jameswhitejr5291]

The 5 Deadly Venoms... I'm guilty of 4 out the 5

[@litoloco4fish]

Awesome!! Toad 🤙🤙🤙🤙🤙😂😂😂

[@wayne2411]

Never thought to treat for the entire tank volume during a water change.

[@pamelamorrisonn]

I have an albino pleco too..her name is Sally 💜💜I rescued her...seems like albinos are rare by the reactions I get when telling people

[@Fyyt]

Depends where you live, I guess. I'm looking for one for my new mbuna cichlid tank!🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦

[@pamelamorrisonn]

@@Fyyt I'm in Edmonton..

[@Fyyt]

@@pamelamorrisonn Winnipeg for me!

[@Fyyt]

@@pamelamorrisonn so....how's Sally doing? Lol

[@pamelamorrisonn]

@@Fyyt Excellent..love her so much😁Garry is in the tank with her but hes not albino..

[@Slayer-xc1ug]

We all have our own methods. I've always syphoned into buckets to remove my water. Then after filling them back up and adding prime I add the fresh water via a plastic jug. I do this once a week removing 25% of old water. I have 4 tanks 2 of which are discus and I've never had a problem losing fish after a change. I never clean my filters at the same time. Luckily my water supply is excellent as it comes so I'm fortunate there. Hope my method helps someone out there but I would advise grabbing a beer after and not before 😂🐠🇬🇧.

[@gabrielhermesson9926]

I do a similar thing, though I stretch it to two weeks. I’ve only had one issue, and that was doing it in winter. The tank had a heater, but the plastic jugs were room temperature. Right after I added the water, several fish died and one got popeye. Now during the cold months I turn the heater off, bump up the room temperature, and let it sit a day before doing a water change.

[@abhishekchaudhary2613]

How is your aquarium so calm, my cichlids are always crazy 😤

[@0trideste6]

slow motion video

[@abhishekchaudhary2613]

@@0trideste6 no the video is not in slow motion

[@0trideste6]

@@abhishekchaudhary2613 3:36

[@abhishekchaudhary2613]

@@0trideste6 that is just a small part of video in slow motion at 1:10 that video is in normal play speed and still his cichlids are so calm

[@OtterCreekAquatics]

Very informative! Nice info!!!

[@kevinbirge442]

I have anything electrical that needs to be turned off for a water change on wi-fi plugs. Just hit one button on Google Home and the filter and heater stop, then I start them back up when I'm done. The only drawback I'm concerned about is that it adds another failure point in the circuit, however, I don't think it's that much of a risk for the reward.

[@BenOchart]

Sounds simple and easy. Nice.

[@colleensgotcha]

Hey, I really enjoy your channel btw! I have a question, I use containers to add water to my 30-gallon tank after a water change when can I add the water conditioner? i have been adding a little with each container but in doing that my measurements aren't really accurate, can I add after I fill the tank without the chlorine hurting my fish?

[@BenOchart]

A little with each container is fine. Stir it around a little and you're good to go.

[@colleensgotcha]

@@BenOchart Thanks for getting back to me so quick I am planning on a water change today. Have a great day!

[@Quest4Unknown]

Beautiful selection. Great accurate information

[@tulioalopez]

Thanks you again for everything. Guilty as charged...

[@yarasub]

Man your so right done that 3x and did not know till l heard water hitting the floor😢

[@BenOchart]

Been there my friend 😳😲😬

[@bparker4457]

If you're filling a tank and get distracted, you'll probably mess up. If you don't get distracted, you'll probably still mess up.

[@dailydoseofrips8482]

Your albino Pleco looks very old my friend is it ? Like to see they lived a old happy life 😃

[@Chris-be4dq]

I’m nervous just did about a 25% water change and my fish are acting a little different my tetras are huddling and doing a little glass surfing the guppies seem stressed and won’t go lower than slightly below the surface.

[@bebebutterfield7699]

….ohhhh the dreaded flood...... and there is always a cord or 10 on the floor.

[@joythompson4134]

Bebe Butterfield yep yep 👍

[@BenOchart]

Yup ... what could go wrong ... ZAP!

[@Sassonic]

Oh man #1 "the flood..." I overflowed my 135 and the water hit a power outlet, luckily the circuit breaker saved me from a complete electrical disaster... I think the rule should be "never leave the room" during a refill, NEVER. And if you must leave, turn off the water because you will forget it's on...

[@BenOchart]

That's very good advice.

[@dailydoseofrips8482]

I stated use a filter that goes on your sink it’s very good taste better then a water bottle my fish love it

[@southfloridaafricancichlid6423]

Great video Ben 👍

[@RocketRod56]

Good point on aggression bumping during major water change / tank mod. The overflow/overfill I finally got under control with a Watchdog water detecter i fabbed a moint for in my sump. Major stress factor alleviated for under $20. Next I want to look at installing an auto shutoff for the pump.

[@randomtube8226]

My tip is to have anywhere in between a 5 gallon bucket all the way to a 55 gallon food grade plastic drum. Or even multiple. Depending on size of tanks, how many tanks, and how much water you plan on changing. Of premade water. Also great to add a heater to your buckets to help match the same water temperature as the take you plan on changing the water in. This reduces fish shock as well.

[@jdssurf]

I've done the flood,you hear it the run as fast but carefully as you can to shut it off

[@rogerball6265]

#6 Excellent point. Best to have a check list. I have all the electrical on one switch so it is so obvious when it is not one. Also wait till the water level is up near the top before turning on heater.

[@Sahadi420]

I have my 125 with a power cord that has LED switches next to each of the 6 plugs. Love it. I have the 3 filters, air pump, heater, and wave makers on it. So nice to just flick a switch instead of having to pull plugs to get things to cut off/on. And with the switches being lit up when on you know just by a glance if something didn't get turned on.

[@robertfong-mow7235]

Thanks for the tips. I only change about 25% water weekly when cleaning gravel and filter. I find the Python System waste water when cleaning gravel so I don't use it. Water is expensive in Toronto and it's going to get worse because of Covid 19. I don't throw out the waste water. I use it for the garden or house plants. Most of my tanks are in the basement for easy cleanup or floods. The floor is concrete not carpet or wood. I do not condition all the water in tank when doing water change. So far I have't noticed any erratic behaviour. Actually the fish are more active and happy. Maybe African Cichlids become more agressive than they normally are.

[@rrsttt7505]

I’ve been battling an ammonia issue. It’s been a total ammonia not free ammonia issue, and I’ve been pulling my hair out. On a whim I decided to test my tap water, 4ppm out of the tap. Went to a LFS that I know sells RO. I explained what was going on and the first question she asked was “do you live in city X, Y or Z” yep, I do. Evidently they have run into this a lot. She gave me 20 gallons of remineralized RO water to see if it helps, and said in the future it was only 30¢ a gallon.

[@Zezhuanth_Irthos]

Thank you dude I love you for this ❣️❣️❣️

[@BenOchart]

You’re welcome 😀👍🏻

[@2muchzen]

The flood, use a timer, timer on phone.

[@JohnPritzlaff]

Just don't set it for too long and go in the other room relying on it to remind you!

[@Gwaplord3957]

Lol, I said the same thing about apples slow-mo. Found out you can change your speed settings. Try it out makes for some fun vids.

[@BenOchart]

Thanks, I will.

[@EricHansen-fr3cz]

I put music on & don't look at anything just aquarium work. 25% every two weeks same temp / little aquarium salt / Prime conditioner..am good 10 yrs 90 gal / 2 hob filters & air Stone 25 tiger barbs few small cats & all good ...Good infro

[@BenOchart]

Sounds like you’ve got it down with a very nice set up😀👍🏻

[@TheTone37]

My Oscar started laying eggs after I changed the water. I thought it was a male 😅

[@jacquelinekariuki4055]

Same thing happened to me, I had been on vacation and when I came back I noticed them hovering at the bottom. Took them out and starting cleaning the sand. I had sucked all the eggs up not knowingly. I have 5 orandas and 1 Ranchu.

[@bobbymalta73]

Cheers mate thks for sharing.

[@jeffb5785]

I have done the overflow on my 125 tank a few times years ago when I had three young kids and often their friends running around. I like to refill slowly so I can monitor the water temperature and my mind wanders while slowly refilling.