How to Do a Water Change in a Guppy Tank

Guppies are tropical freshwater fish with flamboyant, multicolored tails, especially in the males. They are also among the easiest fish to care for and breed. Although they need a heated tank, in most ways they are hardy and tolerant. Regular partial water changes keep the tank clean and prevent nitrates, phosphates and ammonia from building up and are a basic part of caring for guppies. You should do a water change at least once a month, although some fish owners perform this task more frequently.

Things You'll Need

  • 2 large buckets
  • Gravel cleaner with hose attached
  • Thermometer
  • Pan
  • Jug
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Fill one bucket with water amounting to 1/4 of the water in your tank. For example, if you have a 20-gallon tank, fill the bucket with 5 gallons of tap water.

    • 2

      Leave this bucket for 24 hours to allow the water to dechlorinate.

    • 3

      Turn off the filter. Also turn off the heater if it will be left exposed after removing the water.

    • 4

      Take the gravel cleaner and second bucket to your tank.

    • 5

      Put the end of the hose in the bucket and start the gravel cleaner going by shaking it up and down in the tank. Water then starts pouring through the hose.

    • 6

      Let the gravel cleaner pull up a little gravel at a time, which then drops back into the tank. Focus on areas with obvious debris.

    • 7

      Stop once you have removed the water and pour it away or use it for watering your garden.

    • 8

      Replace the water slowly with the jug. If the heater was left on, then add about a pint at a time of cold bucket water and wait for the aquarium thermometer to adjust before adding another. Sudden temperature changes will shock your guppies. If you switched the heater off, warm panfuls of bucket water very slightly on the stove, checking the temperature with a thermometer to ensure it is the same temperature as your aquarium water.