How Often To Change Neon Tetras Water? (All You Need To Know)

Providing adequate water conditions in your neon tetras tank ensures your fish’s well-being and a longer lifespan.

So, how often should you perform a water change in your neon tetras tank? Let us find out.

You should perform a 30% weekly water change in your neon tetras tank to maintain the water quality. Irregular water changes can degrade the tank’s water, causing several health issues, like ammonia poisoning in tetras. Treat the tap water with a water conditioner to avoid any harm to neon tetras.

The article below discusses how often you should change your neon tetra’s tank water to ensure their well-being and a longer lifespan.

How often should I change my neon tetras water?

You should perform a 30% water change every week in your neon tetras tank to provide them with a stress-free environment and ensure your tetra’s longer lifespan.

Inadequate water conditions in the tank can lead to severe health issues in your neon tetras, eventually making them weak and prone to several diseases.

In addition, poor water conditions in the tank can also drop the tank’s oxygen level making your neon tetra suffocate and pass away eventually.

Therefore, you should perform regular water changes in your neon tetras tank for your fish’s adequate growth and development.

Is water change essential?

Regular water changes in your neon tetras tank are essential to ensure your fish’s adequate growth and development.

Not performing water changes in your neon tetras tank can degrade the tank’s water quality, eventually leading to a spike in the tank’s ammonia and nitrite levels and making your fish suffer from severe health issues like ammonia poisoning.

In addition, poor water conditions in the tank can also lower the tank’s oxygen making your tetras suffocate and pass away.

So, we recommend you perform 30% weekly water changes to ensure your tetras’ adequate growth and development.

Can neon tetras thrive in dirty water?

Neon tetras are freshwater fish species that need good water conditions to thrive.

Your neon tetras will not be able to thrive for an extended period in dirty water.

Dirty water in the tank can be the root of several health issues like loss of appetite and stress in your neon tetras.

In addition, contaminated water can also lead to ammonia spikes and degrade the tank’s oxygen level, eventually making your tetra suffer from several health issues and pass away. 

So, we advise you to maintain the tank’s water quality by performing regular water changes and adding a sound filtration system. 

Consider purchasing a Fluval High-Performance water filter for your neon tetras tank, as it removes all the toxins from the water, maintaining the tank’s water quality. 

It is available on Amazon  Fluval High-Performance Aquarium Filter.

Also, read: Do Neon Tetras Need A Filter?

Why did my neon tetras pass away after the water change?

Below are the reasons behind your neon tetras passing away after a water change

1. If you undergo water change after an extended period, it can lead to severe stress in your neon tetras, eventually making them pass away. Perform 30% water change weekly to prevent such issues.
2. Performing massive water changes at once can disturb the water chemistry and cause stress in your tetras, eventually making them pass away. So, performing a 30% water change will be advisable to prevent such issues.
3. A major difference between the freshwater and tank’s water temperature can lead to stress in your tetras, eventually making them pass away.

Things you should consider while performing a water change in your neon tetras tank

Here are the things to consider while performing a water change in your neon tetras tank

1. Treat your tap water with a water conditioner before applying it.
2.  Do not wash the aquarium decors and other equipment with tap water.
3. Avoid performing massive water changes.

You should treat the tap water with a water conditioner as it helps to remove all the harmful toxins like chlorine and zinc from the water, making it safe for your fish.

Not treating the tap water with a water conditioner can expose your tetras to several harmful chemicals, eventually weakening them and making them prone to several diseases and parasites.

Consider selecting the correct type of water conditioner to remove all the harmful metals from the water, as many water conditioners are only helpful in neutralizing the chloramine and chlorine content from the water.

So, we advise using an API tap water conditioner as it helps to neutralize both chlorine and chloramine and other heavy metals from the water.

You can get it from Amazon API TAP WATER CONDITIONER.

Also, read: Can Neon Tetras Live In Tap Water?

Avoid washing your aquarium decors and other tank equipment with tap water, as it can remove the beneficial bacteria from the filter sponges, gravel, and other decorations.

We advise using tank water to clean the aquarium decors and other tank equipment.

Avoid performing massive water changes at once as it can disturb the water’s chemistry, eventually leading to stress in your tetras and making them pass away.

Ensure that there is no significant difference between freshwater temperature and the tank’s temperature, as it can lead to stress and other health issues in your neon tetra and make them pass away.

Perform a 30% water change weekly to maintain the tank’s water quality and to ensure your neon tetra’s well-being and a longer lifespan.  

How to perform a water change in your neon tetras tank?

Here are the equipment you need to perform a water change in your neon tetras tank

1. Aquarium Vaccum
2. Bucket
3. A cleaning sponge

1. Switch off the tank equipment like the heater and filter
2. Put one vacuum end at your tank’s bottom and the other in the bucket, and switch on the vacuum to transfer the water to the bucket.
3. Continue vacuuming till the 30% water gets transferred to the bucket.
4. Clean the biofilter using tank water rather than tap water and squeeze the biofilter to remove the filter’s blockage
5. Install the filter back into your tetra’s tank.
6. Clean the tank equipment with the help of tank water.
7. Clean your neon tetra’s tank walls with the help of a cleaning sponge.
8. The remaining tank water can be used for watering outdoor plants.
9. Fill the bucket with tap water and apply water conditioner to it. However, please do not use excessive water conditioner as it can bind the tank’s oxygen level leading to severe health issues in your tetras.
10. We recommend adding 5 ml (1 tablespoon) of water conditioner per 10 gallons.
11. Now, add the treated tap water slowly to the tank. Avoid rapid pouring as it causes stress in your neon tetras.
12. Ensure that there is no significant difference between the freshwater and tank water temperature to ensure your tetra’s well-being.

Conclusion:

1. Perform a 30% water change every week in your neon tetras tank to provide them with a stress-free environment and ensure your tetra’s longer lifespan.
2. Poor water conditions can lower the tank’s oxygen making your tetras suffocate and pass away.
3. Your neon tetras will not be able to thrive for an extended period in dirty water. Dirty water in the tank is the root of several health issues like loss of appetite and stress in your tetras.
4. Treat your tap water with a water conditioner to prevent any health issues for your fish.
5. Avoid doing a water change after a long period as it can cause severe health issues in your neon tetras.

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Reference: ResearchGate