Can Changing the Water in an Aquarium Kill Your Fish?

If you have a saltwater or freshwater aquarium and it’s time to change the water, you need to know how to do so properly, and you may be wondering if this act could kill your fish. The answer to this question is a bit more complex than it may seem. The short answer is yes, a large aquarium water change could kill your fish if done incorrectly. Below is an in-depth explanation as to why.

The Aquarium Environment

The fish in your aquarium naturally create waste, which includes uneaten food particles, dead leaves from plants, and excrement. All of these elements change the chemistry of the water, but since this happens slowly, the fish can adapt to these changing conditions and learn to deal with them.

At some point, you’ll notice the debris building up in the tank. When this occurs, you may be inspired to clean the entire tank, including the rocks and filter, and then add new water, which is what can have an impact on your fish. While the changes with the waste were slow, doing a major cleaning is drastic. Thus, the shift in the makeup of the water could kill your fish, or at least shock them.

Water Changes that Aren’t Bad

Over time, the waste in an aquarium will build up, and this can cause problems by exposing the fish to bacteria and other harmful pathogens. If allowed to get too far out of hand, it may even cover the glass, making it impossible to see the tank’s inhabitants. Eventually, this could also affect your fish and make them unhealthy.

Thus, it’s important to start this process with a pH and nitrate titration (drops, not paper slips) test kit so you know what water quality you’re starting with. Change the water on a regular basis, as this will aid in the long-term health of your aquarium. Even if you haven’t changed your water in a long time, you can still start the process. It’s advised to start small, which includes changing about 10 percent of the total water volume at first. You’ll then wait 3 days, and then change another small 10 to 20 percent amount. Continue this process until your nitrates are less than 30ppm, increasing the percentage of water you change by slight increments to allow your fish to adapt to the change in water chemistry. Since the change will be slow, it shouldn’t cause them any harm.

Get into a Routine

Once you get into a weekly or bi-weekly water-changing routine, the process won’t seem as daunting or time-consuming. It’s also necessary to keep your fish healthy and prolong their life spans. You also need to regularly clean the filter. As long as you go slow with water changes and give the fish the chance to adapt, you won’t do them any harm.

If you have additional questions about doing water changes correctly, reach out to the staff at Aquatic Warehouse, a leading provider of freshwater and saltwater aquarium supplies. We carry everything you need to maintain a safe and healthy environment for your fish. Call us today at 858-467-9297.