Partial water changes are recommended for your fish, but massive changes can affect your fish’s health. In fact, they might begin to act weird after a massive water change due to issues with the newly introduced water. In this post, we’ll give you reasons why your fish are acting weird after a water change.
1. Too High Nitrate Levels
Nitrates are ions that are present in water in the form of salts. It can pose a significant health risk to your fish and can be deadly in high doses. Fishes can adjust to the concentrations of nitrate in the aquatic environment compared to when inside the aquarium. If there is no fluid to regulate the surrounding area’s nitrate level, the ions will enter the fish’s bloodstream and binds hemoglobin cells.
On the other hand, when the nitrate level in your freshwater drop, fishes consumes a lot of water, which leads to swelling of their organs. This condition is known as Dropsy. Such fishes lack stability in water and may not be able to maintain balance.
2. Too Low Temperature
Fishes are affected by temperature changes because they are cold-blooded aquatic animals that cannot regulate their body temperature. The temperature change of new water can determine the lives of these fishes. If the new water temperature does not closely match the already existing water’s temperature, fishes may easily fall sick.
If you perform a water change with colder water, the fishes will go into a thermal shock and fall ill. Such fishes’ immune system is compromised, which is characterized by lack of frequent movements, loss of color, and immediate death after a water change.
3. Adding Chlorinated Water
Most treated tap water contains chlorine. These chemicals are harmful to fishes and cause death if you don’t remove chlorine in tap water. If you know exactly when to de-chlorinator, it will help you prevent the death of so many fishes.
You will need to use a de-chlorinator to get rid of chlorine from water when performing water changes. It is an essential part of your water change and will severely impact your fish’s health if you do not use one.
4. Hydrogen Sulfite
It can be formed in your aquarium when a water change occurs. Hydrogen sulfite can converts iron within the fish blood cells into sulfide, which will lead to the suffocation of your fish.
The effect of hydrogen sulfite is the same as with nitrite. It will help if you clean your aquarium regularly. You also need to clean your to eliminate inside.
5. Filter Media & Whole Substrate
Filter media and substrate are porous surfaces that habitat bacteria. If you remove your substrate or filter media during a water change, you risk losing the beneficial bacteria required for nitrogen fixation. This will impair the nitrogen cycle and cause a rise in nitrite.
To avoid killing your fishes, rinse filter media used to add water. You can add a spoon of salt per 300 Gallons of water to help the fish cope with nitrite toxins.
6. Too Much Saturated Gas
If there is too much-saturated gas in the water, there will be an impending danger to the fishes because gas bubbles will begin to form in their blood, fins, and eyes. The fishes will die if bubbles are formed in the bloodstream or may lose sight if bubbles are formed in their eyes.
Gas saturation is a result of the temperature of the water. If you quickly heat water, you will see these small bubbles forming inside its container flowing with the increase in temperature. To avoid gas saturation, ensure you stir the new water properly to release these gases before carrying out a water change.
7. Improper pH Level
Maintaining an ideal pH level is essential for your fish. Add water can alter the pH level of your aquarium. When your aquarium water pH level drops, the water becomes acidic. It’s important to maintain your pH level after a water change.
If your water pH level is too low, the water is acidic. Acidic pH can burn the fish’s skin, especially if they are young, causing their death. Typically the pH level of freshwater is between 6.5 and 7.5. Some fish have unique preferences, so make sure to check what your fish prefers if you are unsure. If your tap water is acidic or hard, you can lower the pH by adding an acid buffer or a water softener.
8. Poor Water Conditions
Poor quality water can cause your fish to act weird after a water change. If the water is mixed with heavy metals or impure, it can be dangerous for your fish. If the levels of impurity are too high, then your fish can go to the shock condition.
Depending on your water source, some tap water has metals and chlorine, which is not safe for pet fish. In this case, we would suggest you check your tap water to make sure there is nothing wrong with it.
9. Low Oxygen Level
If your fishes are gasping for air at the surface of the water, this signifies that they lack oxygen. When fishes lack oxygen, they tend to move around less often, less vigorously and eat less often. If the oxygen level continues to drop, the fish will show signs of labored breathing and more rapid gill movements as they desperately search for air.
Water movements can cause low oxygen. You are to ensure your filters aren’t clogged and are operating to their full capacity. Filters take in the water and release it back to the aquarium, thus distributing oxygenated water throughout.
How To Perform A Water Change In Your Aquarium
Get Your Equipment Ready
Make sure you have all necessary need:
- Siphon
- Bucket
- Thermometer
- Water testing kit
- Water conditioner
- Algae pad or magnet
Prepare Your Tank Water
We suggest doing this overnight because if you are using tap water, it’s likely to have many unwanted heavy metals, chlorine, and toxins that can harm your fish.
Fill your bucket with water, add conditioner and allow it to stay overnight. The chlorine inside the water will evaporate overnight and make your aquarium safe. It will decrease the chance of having a change in temperature.
Prepare Your Water Tank
If you are using a water heater, you need to place the heater in a way that it’ll stay fully immersed while you’re siphoning out water. You need to switch off your filter if it’s at risk of running dry because you could damage your system if air gets into your filter.
Clean The Sides Of Your Aquarium
Before you start adding water to your aquarium, you need to make sure the aquarium is clean. Clean your aquarium using a magnet or algae pad, not a scrubber or sponge from your kitchen. Lightly scrub your aquarium using your algae pad.
Siphon the Water & Clean the Substrate
Siphon your water directly into your bucket. While you’re siphoning the water out, you need to be careful. Siphon to remove some amount of water in your tank.
Clean Your Filter Media
Clean or replace your filter if it’s dirty. Use the water in the bucket to rinse the filter media. Do not use tap water because your tap water contains chlorine that will kill the useful bacteria living in your filter.
Add Your New Aquarium Water
Get a thermometer and use it to test the water temperature to ensure it’s within the correct range. Carefully refill your aquarium if you’re satisfied with your water.
In Conclusion
You need to maintain natural habitat for your fishes if you want them to stay alive. When the conditions listed above are altered during a water change, these fishes become vulnerable, causing them to act weird. Hence, there is a need to have the right environment to keep your fish alive.