Scary upcoming water change

[Namor]

Over the holidays i was talking to my brother about aqua. stuff and asked him what type of water changes he does. (He also winters some of the family goldfish.)
His reply was that he tops it up when it starts to get low.:eek: :no:
I explained the nitrogen cycle and the importance of water changes, but he still doesn't do them.:mad: I'll be visiting him in a couple of weeks and plan on taking my "gear" with me. I'm hoping that once he see's the amount of gunk that's going to come out he'll change his tune.
I guess my question is regarding the release of any bad bacteria that's formed in the substrate, as they are overstcoked 10gals. & would using something like Waste Control be any help?

[Pamelajo]

Glad to hear your trying to help and teach your brother how to care for his fish. The only time i have heard of stuff forming like pockets of nasty gasses in substrate is if it is sand. I have never heard of it happening with gravel just excess build up of crap etc., hopefully the experts will let you know for sure. I have never used any waste control stuff so can't help there.

[Namor]

I should add that i haven't seen his set-up this year, but i'm pretty sure it's gravel. (not sure about any ornaments, what he's got for filtration or the exact amount of fish.)

[Pamelajo]

Those poor fish will be in shock, maybe many small water changes and lots of gravel vacs.

[CACAdmin]

If the gravel is deep, there can be pockets of nasty gasses. I discovered that in my 20g a long time ago (deep gravel at the time), when I hadn't been vac'ing near the edges. Lots of crud built up there and gasses too.

[Pamelajo]

Good to know, I had never heard of it happening with gravel. Will be doubling checking I get into the hard to get to spots.

[KnaveTO]

i have to agree with Pam. It would be best if you do a 30% change and then another a while later. Otherwise such a major change in the water parameters will definately shock if not kill the fish in there.

[Katalyst]

Goldfish are extremely sensitive to temperate change, make sure when you add the water back in to match it. You may also want to add it back in slowly to let them acclimate. I have a little critter keeper that I use. I put a stick on thermometer on it and I test the water first to get an exact temp match out of the running faucet before adding it to their tank.

Let us know how it works out.

[Namor]

Just a quick update.-
Well, the waterchanges went well, and i left him with a bucket, siphon and conditioner, but i may have been foreshadowing calling this a "scary" waterchange. (Got caught in a nasty blizzard on the way down.) All is well though. Thanks all, for the input.

[Pamelajo]

Glad everything went well. Sorry to hear about the nasty blizzard hope it was not too nasty driving in it.

[CACAdmin]

Glad to hear it went well. Do you think you have convinced him to continue with the waterchanges? (namely, is he going to put the tools you left him to use?) As for the blizzard, the important thing is that you got there and back safely.

[Namor]

I'm quite sure he will, he was surprised at how much mess came out.

[CACAdmin]

I'm sure he was surprised. He may simply not have realized how toxic the water can be to the fish and yet still 'look clean' as it's still clear. Glad you took it upon yourself to help him.