changing water?

[EdsExotics]

Really simple question but need to ask it, I'm new to this. When I change the water of a tank how much water should I keep, or should I keep any at all. When I put the new water in and put some dechlorinator in there, should I leave the newt out of the water or is it safe to put them in there. I was just thinking where would I keep them while waiting for the water to dechlorinate.

 

[Jennewt]

The more important question, I think, is why are you changing (or cleaning) the whole tank? This is something I would almost never recommend doing. Maybe you should think about changing the entire cleaning routine.

 

[EdsExotics]

filter broke so im waiting for my new one to be deliverd.

 

[vistajpdf]

I think we need to know how big the tank is and how many newts you are housing in it. I change about 20-25% almost weekly in my adult tank (10 Gallon w/ two fire belly newts in it - now using a divider so we get no more eggs!) There is about 5 inches of water in it and my % is just a guess. For my larva, daily changes are needed. More larva (10-20 in 5.5 gallon and 10 gal.) and more uneaten food and waste housed in tanks with several inches of water. I'd say about 20% is changed out daily with a total change weekly.

I dechlorinate my water in gallon jugs and let it sit, preferably overnight, before using it. So, I usually take out the water from the tank, then add the fresh water in, rarely removing the newts. For a well-established tank, I don't think a complete is needed unless something weird happened that would compromise the health of survivors. There's a great link here on water and cycling a tank. Check under FAQ perhaps? Otherwise, I'll find it and send it.

Good luck. I'm not experienced here either but trying to learn quickly,
Dana

 

[SludgeMunkey]

Sorry to hear about your filter, it happens to the best of us. If you are in a remote place that requires you to ship them in, it may be a good idea to go ahead and get a second back up, just in case...

Generally, a well maintained tank can survive a day or two with just aeration. (depending on size and bioload of course) As for water changes, about 20% is the most you should ever remove and replace, any more than that risks destroying your ammonia cycle.

A complete water changes requires the usual 30 day minimum cycling period before it can safely sustain caudates.

 

[EdsExotics]

Thanks for your help people. My filter came today and i have my tank cycling nice.

Ed