water changes

[Hannah]

Hey everyone,
I was just wondering how people take their fish out of the tank when they do water changes cause the methods that I have been trying have been stressful for Aquila and me and have caused Aquila some injuries. He seems to be doing pretty well right now and I've put some melafix in his water which seems to be helping. So methods would be very much appreciated so that I can find a safe and stressless way to transfer Aquila out of the tank while doing full water changes. Thanks so much.

[abm]

Hi Hannah,

I posted a thread about this same topic a while back...I think it was called "Water Changes - what works for you?" or something similar.... anyway, after getting those responses I ditched my net and went to the scooping method. No injuries and minimal stresses thus far.

I have a clear plastic bowl that I use as my holding tank during water changes and a large glass votive (about 1/2 volume maybe?) that I use to scoop the fish out with. I scoop several votives-worth of tank water into the holding tank before beginning to remove and clean tank decorations, marbles etc. I take out all the big stuff that he can hide under/behind and then scoop him out. If you can catch them coming towards the surface they'll get sucked right into the glass. I pour him into the holding tank, clean everything and refill the tank, wait for temp to adjust (if needed), then begin acclimating the fish to the new water.
Using the glass scoop has eliminated the dangers of using nets (no direct contact w/fish) plus they're never totally out of water so it's less stressful. Also easier for me!

Happy changing!

~abm

[twoluvcats]

i have a similar method...I've got a small critter keeper that i use, I fill that up with the siphon from the tank. I use a plastic cup to scoop up the betta up. All my guys are piggy enough that i can lure them to the surface with one speck of food and then suck them into the cup on the first shot.

[Hannah]

Thanks for telling me your techniques and I found the post that you put up, ABM, about this subject and that's given me an idea of how to do it (which is pretty much what both of you have said already). The past two water changes have been so stressful with the second one resulting in him landing on the table and me freaking out . I think he's a bit angry at me right now cause he's been flaring at me everytime I come near his tank (sort of telling me to stay away). Anyway, thank you both for telling me how you do water changes and hopefully the next water change will be a lot less stressful on me and Aquila .

[Rekall13]

I use a net because I'm too scared to try the cup method, lol. Fortunately Zieg is a doll with the net and Merlin isn't that bad either.

They have a 1/2 gallon they get to hang out in while the water change is happening.

I just changed both of their tanks and the biggest mishap I had was getting water all over myself, lol.

[Hannah]

I did a pretty successful water change ;D. I took the plant out first before putting him into a cup and it worked out pretty good (just I was shaking the whole time from being nervous of accidently doing something that would end up hurting Aquila ). Thanks for the advice and I think Aquila is a lot happier that I'm not trying to scoop him out with the net anymore (I say trying because 80% of the time I could never catch him and had to have my sister scoop him out for me because she was more experinced. He's a really fast swimmer and always seems to find the smallest gap to squeeze through before the net can get him). Hopefully with each water change I'll become less nervous and it won't be as difficult to get Aquila out of the tank .

[RachelS]

I think the trick may be to get them in the cup on the first try; sometimes it takes me a few, but after the first, Attila seems to know what's up. Silly fishy, I want him to have nice clean water!

[Rachel]

I use a cup to take my bettas out as well. If you do use a net, I would suggest using a brine shrimp net that's made out of a fine white mesh material rather than the scratchy green stuff. And using either method be sure you cover the top with your hand, just in case. I've heard of a lot of bettas jumping during water changes.

You're right with the cup method you have to be pretty darn fast and accurate. The key to remember with net or cup is that if you don't catch the fish on the first try to not chase them around the tank with it. Take a break and wait until you have another good chance at it. Otherwise chasing the fish around and possibly squishing them into things may stress them out a bit or hurt them.