To water change or not to water change

[Nat's Fish]

That is the question!

My plecos always seem to trap for only a day or two before eggs are laid but this female L134 has been trapped for 5 days apart from coming out for a little bit one day. The male is vibrating away but no eggs yet
I usually do my water changes on Saturdays & noticed there will be rain & storms over the weekend.
Would you change water like normal or put it off to see if she lays?
It's been a long time between drinks for these fish so I don't want to stuff it up
Thanks for the advice
Nat

 

[bigbird]

i would always keep up the weekly routine and change nothing to that. It should not do anything to the fish. cheers jk :thumbup:

 

[Nat's Fish]

Thanks a lot Jk I will.
There's two other fat females sitting outside other males caves too so the water changes after the rain will probably help them get in there!
Interestingly the only thing that has changed is my air pump being a lot stronger so maybe they are appreciating that!

 

[YAL05T]

I'll often do an extra "cold" water change when there are storms or storm cells passing nearby. Seems to get things moving.

 

[Bigjohnnofish]

just do extra big water changes when barometer is dropping steeply

 

[Nat's Fish]

Thanks. I usually do but didn't want to spook the male. Hopefully I've got eggs overnight
Thanks everyone

 

[Nat's Fish]

I did a 50% water change before the big thunderstorm yesterday & the female is still trapped. I haven't fed any of the fish in that tank for a few days & thunder with heaps of rain is predicted for the next 6 days so I'm keen to get the 134's and others breeding!
Any tips? Also should I feed them? I feel bad

 

[fishy]

hi

hi natt can not give advice on 134 but wanted to wish you good luck mate last i also would have done what you wrote the all the basics but with tricks no idea hope some member who has breed them can give advice . good luck mate

 

[bigbird]

feed them, do everything like you do in the normal routine. do not change the normal routine as this they will notice more. cheers jk :thumbup:

 

[Nat's Fish]

Thanks a lot Mason & Jk.
I'm hoping she lays the eggs soon. Maybe she just isn't ready
How many extra water changes do you do with a week of storm & very heavy rain?
I might even try & catch some rainwater if it's safe to use!

 

[fishy]

feed them, do everything like you do in the normal routine. do not change the normal routine as this they will notice more. cheers jk :thumbup:

question do 134 get shy hide i doubt it once read jks advice if he suggested stick to routine ill listen then why asking about shy is to know that you no spook them my 200s one perfect example very shy . yes want to know as i may be getting some 134s in near future hoping off you natt

 

[fishy]

Thanks a lot Mason & Jk.
I'm hoping she lays the eggs soon. Maybe she just isn't ready
How many extra water changes do you do with a week of storm & very heavy rain?
I might even try & catch some rainwater if it's safe to use!

no prob and i also hope she lay with other questions maybe better jk answer as sound like he knows them well . with rain water safe but you have to make sure rain landing in drums buckets etc with out rust avoid all metals example metal lid will rust your water use stainless steel or wood . good luck

 

[Nat's Fish]

Sounds good thanks Mason.
I don't know if I should do daily water changes of all my tanks with a week of storms & heavy rain & what percentage?
I'll catch the rainwater directly into plastic buckets. It's meant to be up to 80mm of rain here in Cronulla today!

 

[fishy]

Sounds good thanks Mason.
I don't know if I should do daily water changes of all my tanks with a week of storms & heavy rain & what percentage?
I'll catch the rainwater directly into plastic buckets. It's meant to be up to 80mm of rain here in Cronulla today!

any time natt with this rain we have now id do all tanks empty out old water as much as can and refill them with rainwater as boy o boy its raining heavy down here in sydney id take full advantage of it . one question natt if u manage time plz do a ph test i also going to try do it as its fun to learn and compare results want to know what test results also are in few days to a week once rain water stored . thanks

 

[Nat's Fish]

Will do mate. I'm curious to see the ph of rain too
My girlfriend said my buckets are over flowing & I won't be home for a while. I wish I set more up! I should have 100 litres of rain in the buckets, I just need about 500 more for all 6 tanks haha

 

[fishy]

quote

Will do mate. I'm curious to see the ph of rain too
My girlfriend said my buckets are over flowing & I won't be home for a while. I wish I set more up! I should have 100 litres of rain in the buckets, I just need about 500 more for all 6 tanks haha

cool would love to see your results natt and yes you should have placed more buckets but in way one can not blame you the news said was meant to storm from last week but nothing it must have taken longer to reach us than they channel 9 thought it would any way looks like rain may stick around so you can still make it

 

[Nat's Fish]

I'm home now & have 20 buckets set up haha
I just tested the water for you:

Tank water was ph 7.2 TDS 140
Tap water was ph 7.2 TDS 98
Rain water was ph 6 TDS 5!!

Should I add just rain water or mix it with tap water & prime? I'm nervous about using rain water even though I live out of the city & near the beach
I hope the ph won't go too low for them!

Cheers
Nat

 

[bigbird]

yup the storms sure are bad, i am in engadine and also use rain water, however as usual and I am sure you know that but test the water first before usage. I also only use 20% rain water and the rest treated tap water. Storms and lightning will not stop for a couple of days. good luck cheers jk :thumbup:

 

[Nat's Fish]

Thanks jk. What should I be testing for in particular? I might put a few buckets of rain water into each tank & see how I go
Thanks again
Nat

 

[fishy]

,

I'm home now & have 20 buckets set up haha
I just tested the water for you:

Tank water was ph 7.2 TDS 140
Tap water was ph 7.2 TDS 98
Rain water was ph 6 TDS 5!!

Should I add just rain water or mix it with tap water & prime? I'm nervous about using rain water even though I live out of the city & near the beach
I hope the ph won't go too low for them!

Cheers
Nat

my readings were similar though rain water slightly higher ph . i have most tanks on one circulating system i simply drain away at one end and at same time slowly refilling at other end that way can control my temp in your case natt would only do a water change to one tank first see how they go overnight if all looks good then do other tanks as the way your collecting it could be contaminating water that is why always safe to test first . thanks for the readings natt came in usefull