this is makin me mad...

[flip_x]

Hey guys.. i have a prob.. every time i do a partial water change the water always gets cloudy!! and now my fish is breathing hard..
i changed 10gal of ro water.. i mixed the water up few days ago and let it sit for a little then i used a small container to slowly pour it in the tank.. am i doing something wrong here?

 

[nitschke65]

Here's a great read on water changes. And like ReefkprZ says at the end, "Nothing makes a fish tank look worse than giving it a proper cleaning."
ReefkprZ's Water Change instructions

 

[forsfed50]

What size is your tank?

 

[spanko]

Are you adding anything to the change water besides salt?
Is the cloudiness from the sand and or rocks being stirred up?

 

[m0nk]

Also, it hasn't been touched on yet, are you letting a powerhead mix your saltwater for all that time before doing your water change? Proper mixing and aeration is very important.

 

[flip_x]

the tank is 56g.
It was just salt and water that I added.
It said on another thread that u should just leave the mixed water alone.

 

[t316]

When I mix up salt water, I leave a power head in the container to keep it constantly moving until it's needed.

 

[m0nk]

Originally Posted by Flip_x
http:///forum/post/2794697
the tank is 56g.
It was just salt and water that I added.
It said on another thread that u should just leave the mixed water alone.
Not sure where that information came from but it's not very good advice. Your saltwater needs to be very well mixed, and many fish species need really good oxygen levels in water (tangs especially). The best way to get this is by aerating it with a powerhead, and since you need well mixed water, the best way is to throw your salt into the water in a mixing container and let it mix with a powerhead for at least 24 hours. I sometimes mix my water for several days, since I have many tangs in my tank.

 

[flip_x]

well i mixed the water 3 days prior to when i put it in.. i slowly put the water in like with a small 1 liter container.. anyways the water cleared up but i think my skimmer helped clean it??

 

[robdog696]

I didn't see where you said if you mix the water using a powerhead or not. Salt that has not been adequately dissolved can DEFINITELY make fish breath heavily, as it will irritate and cut their gills. If you do not have a powerhead mixing your salt, then just buy something cheap that will keep the water moving and point it at the bottom of your salt mixing bucket. Three days is fine, but it needs to be mixed well, too. Good luck, and I hope this solves your problem.

 

[flip_x]

im sure it was mixed well.. there was no salt residue on the bottom of the tub when i was done.. also prior to when i put it in i mixed it with a aquarium stick i had.. for about 5 min.. one thing i did noticed is that my salinity went up it use to be 1.023 now its 1.026.. maybe thats why they are breathing harder? is it safe to keep it there?

 

[m0nk]

That could absolutely be why, it is very dangerous for your fish to mix saltwater that has such a drastically different SG or salinity level. The water you mix needs to be as close to exactly the same SG/salinity as possible.
That is a safe salinity level (that's where my tank is) but raising or lowering salinity should always be done slowly (if it's intentional).