The Benefits of Lived In Water
By Larry Feltz
Here
is an original article I wrote dealing with my experience with Water
Management. Perhaps you could use it in your publication.
I
am sending it to the editor of the New Hampshire Aquarium Society for possible
use in The Granite-Fisher ; to the editor of the New England
Fancy Guppy Association (NEFGA) for possible use in their Guppy Gazette
; and to the Editor of the International Fancy Guppy Association (IFGA) for
possible use in their Bulletin.
If you are interested in using my article, please contact me at your
earliest convenience.
The Benefits of Lived In Water
To
the new fish enthusiast, one of the most important concepts to understand is
water management. Whenever fish die, I always suspect a water management
problem. Water that is foul, polluted, or contains chemicals is unhealthy or even poisonous to fish.
Water at the wrong temperature can kill fish. Does the water contain chlorine?
Was the aquarium water "aged water"? Was "lived-in water"
(that is, biologically active water) used to set-up the aquarium? Is the water
being properly aerated? Is the water being filtered? Are periodic partial water
changes being done? Is the water fouled by overfeeding?
Setting
up a new tank is an exciting experience. It is a new beginning for both the
hobbyist and the fish involved. For the fish, it can be a life or death
experience! Reprints from the IFGA (International Fancy Guppy Association) Bulletin speak volumes about
techniques to avoid "new tank syndrome", fish dying in a clean,
sparkling, newly set-up tank that lacks beneficial bacterial colonies. Without this beneficial bacteria, life is difficult, if not
impossible, for fish. The introduction and maintenance of beneficial bacterial
colonies is a primary goal of all water management. These bacterial colonies
process ammonia and nitrite compounds associated with decay from fish wastes
and fish food.
A
year ago I began to setup my new wanna-be-fish-room.
After being out of the hobby for years, I was starting over again from scratch.
I collected one-gallon plastic jugs (bottled water containers or milk jugs) to
"age" the water. These jugs are light, durable, and free. I get my
water from the house tap. My water is chlorinated, but does not contain
chloramines. I age the water for a week or more in plastic jugs, giving the
chlorine gas time to dissipate out of the water naturally.
I
asked several acquaintances who kept tropical fish to save me some of their
"lived in water". I wanted them to set aside five-gallons or more of
the water they would normally discard in the course of performing their next
water change. I was surprised that they seemed to have no clue about the value
of using "lived in water". I explained that I did not want to set up
my new tank with water that was not already biologically active (containing
necessary beneficial bacteria that occur in a normally healthy aquarium). Their
"used water" or even the "dirty" filter media from their
existing aquarium could help me. I wanted no part of "new tank
syndrome".
Despite
some lukewarm promises of assistance, I received no "used, lived in
water". Frustrated, I pursued a new course. I set up my first would-be
fish tank with already aged water, and a "clean" box filter with new,
"clean" filter media. I bubbled air through
it for a week. Next, I visited the local tropical fish store and purchased six
of their least expensive fish, sacrificial lambs to inoculate the tank. I also
asked the employee there to give me some extra "lived in water" in
hopes of lessening the chance of new tank syndrome. She gave me an extra quart
of the water I wanted.
Three
of those six fish died, but the survivors and their "lived in water"
gave me the biologically active water I wanted. Through judicious use of
subsequent water changes, I parlayed that bit of water into tanksfull
of water. I have had virtually no fish loss since that initial set up
experience. I would estimate tht eithin
10-14 days of initiating neew tanks in this manner
one can assume that the "lived in water" is safe for the introduction
of other fish.
One
fish article I read in the past that was full of wisdom had the catchy title:
"Don't leave home, take it with you". The essential premise was this:
when you move fish, take "home" (their lived in water) with them. If
you have existing tanks and are going to set up a new tank bring 100% of the
fishes' old water with them. The fish will avoid the shock and stress of a
"water change". Since bringing 100% of the water with the fish may be
impractical, strive to bring as much of the old home water with the fish as
possible. Perhaps 50% and combine it with "aged water". Whatever
amount you bring will help the fish get established. The theory is the
bacterial populations from the old "lived in water" will rapidly
"seed" the new tank, its water, and its filter media keeping water
conditions stable and safe for the fish.
If
you do not have existing tanks and are setting up a new tank from scratch,
proceed with caution. Get yourself some "lived in water". Perhaps a local aquarist can help, or maybe
the local pet store. I must insert a word of caution here. There are many
hobbyists who strictly avoid introducing any outside water into their
aquariums, especially water from a tropical fish store. Their fear is that
water in the tanks of the average fish store is a "chemical cocktail"
of additives introduced to medicate diseased and overstressed fish. They are
afraid of what the additives do to fish. I myself normally adhere to that
credo, but when you are just getting started you need to get beneficial
bacteria established somehow.
Another
tactic in setting up a new tank is to avoid introducing a filter with brand new
filter media. Set the filter up for the first time with previously used (that
is biologically active) filter media (or a combination of old and new filter
media). Again, don't leave home, bring it with you. Same theory, the bacterial
populations from the filter media will rapidly "seed" the new tank,
its water, and its filter media. The caution here is to avoid used filter media
from a diseased tank.
Start
very slowly, add only a few fish at first. If you are
just starting out, begin with a few "rugged" fish, perhaps some zebra
danios or platies. They are
real survivors and can usually be found inexpensively. Give your new tank and
its occupants some time to establish themselves (a week or two). Then (and only
then) you can begin to expand. Avoid overcrowding, and overfeeding. If at all
possible, find someone to help you. Often you can get advice from a
"good" tropical fish store, or you might attend a meeting of a local
aquarium society.
Having
the patience to proceed slowly when you are filled with the enthusiasm of the
new hobbyist can be elusive. But, unless you are very careful, "new tank
syndrome" can wreck havoc and destroy not only your fish but also your
enthusiasm for what can be a very satisfying hobby.