Will Bloodworms eventually pollute the water?

[Aaron Chris]

I've switched my two Red Efts into an aquarium with water (thanks for the help Caudata-users) and they look happy.

Anyway, I've been feeding them frozen bloodworms which have been working well. However they don't eat all of them, leaving some dangling around the water. Will these bloodworm corpses eventually pollute the water and cause problems?

 

[SpaceCadetHayde]

Yes. Uneaten food will foul the water. I use a turkey baster to remove uneaten food before it spoils.

 

[AngieD]

I'll second that yes. I got a bag of live bloodworms from the local shop, and it was more than a week before I needed them. The liquid in the bag had gone from pink to a murky brown, and the smell when I opened the bag was horrendous. Most of the worms were dead, and they had made the liquid absolutely disgusting

 

[Aaron Chris]

Thanks guys

 

[Jennewt]

I agree, you absolutely need to remove the uneaten bloodworms within 24 hours (preferably less). This is especially critical during the first month after a tank has been newly-set-up. If you maintain the tank properly, it will develop beneficial bacteria that will help break down small amounts of uneaten food, but until then you REALLY have to worry that uneaten food will produce ammonia. If you haven't kept an aquatic tank before, here are some articles that you should read. If there is anything that you don't understand, do some google searches and ask more questions
Caudata Culture Articles - Cycling
Caudata Culture Articles - Water Quality

 

[Aaron Chris]

Thanks everyone

I emptied their tank, got new, clean water and put them back in. (I bought a new tank purely for feeding so I don't have to clean their home every few days)

When it comes to helpful users on a forum, Caudata easily takes the prize.

 

[Kaysie]

You'll still have to clean their tank. Even if you're not feeding them in there, you still have to deal with ammonia, poop, mulm, bolus, etc. You don't have to do a 100% water change every time. You can cycle your tank and change 20ish% of the water once or twice a week.

 

[Aaron Chris]

You'll still have to clean their tank. Even if you're not feeding them in there, you still have to deal with ammonia, poop, mulm, bolus, etc. You don't have to do a 100% water change every time. You can cycle your tank and change 20ish% of the water once or twice a week.

Thanks, can do