| First off, the idea that you should change all of the | | | | Attempting to perform a water change-over while |
| water in your tank is incorrect. All you need to do is | | | | live currents are flowing to your tank is extremely |
| change ten to fifteen percent of the water every | | | | dangerous and there is no good reason to attempt it. |
| two weeks, which adds up to a cumulative twenty | | | | Remembering safety comes first, do not proceed |
| to thirty percent change over the course of a month. | | | | further until you are certain that all the power is off. |
| Of course if you are having a major problem with | | | | You will then remove ten to fifteen percent of the |
| algae or your fish are exhibiting signs of strange | | | | existing water. This is a great time to make sure that |
| behavior and you discover it is because your water | | | | the filters, the inside glass of the tank, and pumps |
| levels are off, then you may need to perform a 50% | | | | are cleaned of algae or other waste. Now you are |
| or 30% in one water change. But regular upkeep is | | | | ready to put the new water slowly into your tank, |
| different and it is unnecessary to change all of the | | | | but before you do that you should make sure that |
| water, just a portion so that the nitrate levels in the | | | | the water is approximately the same temperature as |
| water are reduced which deters algae and helps your | | | | the water already in the tank, or you may harm your |
| livestock. Why not change all the water all the time? | | | | fish by giving them a drastic temperature shock, |
| Fish become acclimated to their environment, and a | | | | which most fish do not respond well to. |
| full on water change is a shift in the environment. | | | | You can check your power sources while they are |
| Too many of these may be a shock to your fish, | | | | off and make sure there isn't any waste or salt |
| one which they will not survive. | | | | creep that has leaked into them. Essentially, when |
| Naturally you will have to brew your own saltwater, | | | | you replace your water is a very good time to clean |
| but this is no longer as complicated a process as it | | | | every aspect of the aquarium, including changing |
| once was, thanks to one-step salt mixes created | | | | mechanical filters, as you will then be ensuring the |
| specifically for this purpose. Once you have the | | | | complete upkeep and not just small portions. |
| necessary water prepared, the next phase is to | | | | Now simply replace the lid, and turn the power back |
| ensure your safety and that of your livestock by | | | | on, and you should see positive effects occur as |
| disconnecting the electricity from your tank. | | | | your fish will be happier and your algae will not! |