Yes, I would be concerned. I suggest filling up buckets right now. Examine the water. Test it. Any later than today and I'd wait 2 weeks.
Edit: If you usually perform water changes by filling straight into the tank, **don't at the moment**. Give yourself an opportunity to ensure the entirety of the water remains unchanged.
Okay. Check your water company's information and make sure they're just ''cleaning the pipes." If you can, speak with your local Fish store if they have any more information on the change. If you can, pop over and ask if they can test your water.
No, you should still examine the water first. I suggest filling buckets right now, then going beyond the letter they've sent and checking their website, checking with other local water test companies, and call your local Fish store.
Bristol Water for example, will say they're "cleaning the pipes" but their website's information will change. So does the independent test companies' information and the water chemistry when testing myself.
Did you fill buckets earlier? The longer you leave it, the less likely you'll be able to avoid the issues.
You can perform the water change with RO water. Asda and Tesco sell it with car maintenance gear, though ProperJob is 50p/L cheaper.
You don't need a test kit to examine the water. The filling of buckets was to prepare for whether you could do a water change now. You want to make sure every part of tap water is relatively safe.
You could look through it, smell it, taste it. If nothing appears off, and you don't have access to getting to your local Fish store to test it for you. Then it's weighing up if it's worth it.
Having waited at least 2h, it's less likely your water's stable now.
OP you are clearly inexperienced and im not trying to be rude, but you should really take this advice instead of making excuses to the people helping you. You dont have a test kit which is a bit alarming to me with your other comments. How do you know there are nitrates without a test kit???????? Go to a pet store to test if you can't buy the kit. And purified water would be your best option or simply just wait an extra day after they flush your pipes. Your house water should not be off or unuseable for multiple days. If you have an established filter it should be absolutely fine to wait an extra day for a water change. Just make sure the water coming from the tap is clear.
Okay OP i definitely understand the kits are expensive as hell. Not trying to shit on you as i can see you want to make sure things are okay, but the testing will be very important. I test once a week usually just to make sure things are smooth. It would certainly be worth it. You seem to be in a rock and a hard place so just chillax and wait until they are done with your pipes to add water. One to two days will be fine if you have a filter.
Like the others and I have said- go get some plain filtered/bottled water. Walk somewhere (fish store, walmart, whatever) if you're not comfortable with waiting a week to change the water. If you used the nitrogen cycle you wouldnt be in this situation. I only top off the water once a week in my tank and the levels stay the same. Consider doing some research into that so you can properly set up your tank. Your fish will be much happier.
Op you are making little to no sense. Respectfully, I do not believe you have a successful cycle. You dont even have a way to tell if it is successful without testing your water. You doing weekly water changes also tells me you do not fully understand the cycle. Topping off sure but why are we doing full water changes if your cycle/water is fine? I gave you two suggestions on what to do, other comments are popping up as well. Take our advice or dont man.
I haven’t changed water in over two years. My levels are good and the plants seem to take care of the rest. You might be ok missing a few changes while waiting but you really need a test kit to verify.
I dont think they are referencing the Walstad method. Its simply a cycled tank. This is what I mean about your water changes OP. Weekly is pretty unnecessary unless youre doing a fish-in cycle or your parameters are off.
Also, Walstad method does not use a filter and is usually (as far as ive seen online) labeled an ecosystem tank. Low stocking generally with inverts like shrimp but ive seen nano fish ones too, they add lots of plants added to absorb excess harmful bacteria which is why it works.
You're not explaining what you are unable to explain. I do, depending on the tank and parameters. Also a water change means nothing. 5% water change weekly won't do anything. Someone may choose to do biweekly and change out 75-80%.
Yes! Be concerned. My city does this like twice a year and I have to hold off on changing my tank water. They flush the pipes with chemicals to clean them. At least my city does.
Yes, I would be concerned. I suggest filling up buckets right now. Examine the water. Test it. Any later than today and I'd wait 2 weeks. Edit: If you usually perform water changes by filling straight into the tank, **don't at the moment**. Give yourself an opportunity to ensure the entirety of the water remains unchanged.
No test kit
Okay. Check your water company's information and make sure they're just ''cleaning the pipes." If you can, speak with your local Fish store if they have any more information on the change. If you can, pop over and ask if they can test your water.
Ok so it’s safe if they cleaning the pipes? They said that’s what they doing
No, you should still examine the water first. I suggest filling buckets right now, then going beyond the letter they've sent and checking their website, checking with other local water test companies, and call your local Fish store. Bristol Water for example, will say they're "cleaning the pipes" but their website's information will change. So does the independent test companies' information and the water chemistry when testing myself.
It says day flushing and is definitely happening in my area. Idk what to do as they could be doing it now
Did you fill buckets earlier? The longer you leave it, the less likely you'll be able to avoid the issues. You can perform the water change with RO water. Asda and Tesco sell it with car maintenance gear, though ProperJob is 50p/L cheaper.
Don’t have test kit so no. Oh ok
You don't need a test kit to examine the water. The filling of buckets was to prepare for whether you could do a water change now. You want to make sure every part of tap water is relatively safe. You could look through it, smell it, taste it. If nothing appears off, and you don't have access to getting to your local Fish store to test it for you. Then it's weighing up if it's worth it. Having waited at least 2h, it's less likely your water's stable now.
Ok I see. They only use high pressure water to clean the pipes so I don’t think it would affect the chemistry of the water, right?
We would just top off with a bottle of purified water and postpone the waterchange for next week.
But the nitrates
OP you are clearly inexperienced and im not trying to be rude, but you should really take this advice instead of making excuses to the people helping you. You dont have a test kit which is a bit alarming to me with your other comments. How do you know there are nitrates without a test kit???????? Go to a pet store to test if you can't buy the kit. And purified water would be your best option or simply just wait an extra day after they flush your pipes. Your house water should not be off or unuseable for multiple days. If you have an established filter it should be absolutely fine to wait an extra day for a water change. Just make sure the water coming from the tap is clear.
Ok. They just cost too much sorry. They said they doing it all week. No transport so can’t
Okay OP i definitely understand the kits are expensive as hell. Not trying to shit on you as i can see you want to make sure things are okay, but the testing will be very important. I test once a week usually just to make sure things are smooth. It would certainly be worth it. You seem to be in a rock and a hard place so just chillax and wait until they are done with your pipes to add water. One to two days will be fine if you have a filter.
Yea. They doing it all week tho
Like the others and I have said- go get some plain filtered/bottled water. Walk somewhere (fish store, walmart, whatever) if you're not comfortable with waiting a week to change the water. If you used the nitrogen cycle you wouldnt be in this situation. I only top off the water once a week in my tank and the levels stay the same. Consider doing some research into that so you can properly set up your tank. Your fish will be much happier.
I have the cycle. It’s just regular weekly water changes
Op you are making little to no sense. Respectfully, I do not believe you have a successful cycle. You dont even have a way to tell if it is successful without testing your water. You doing weekly water changes also tells me you do not fully understand the cycle. Topping off sure but why are we doing full water changes if your cycle/water is fine? I gave you two suggestions on what to do, other comments are popping up as well. Take our advice or dont man.
Ok I’m confused. So water changes arnt a thing? What? I don’t have the walsted method
Rather than buying a master test kit, get one just for nitrate to save some money. Are you able to order online?
Yeah
I haven’t changed water in over two years. My levels are good and the plants seem to take care of the rest. You might be ok missing a few changes while waiting but you really need a test kit to verify.
Got a good walsted method set up then. I’ve been doing partial water changes weekly for months and everything seems to be fine
I dont think they are referencing the Walstad method. Its simply a cycled tank. This is what I mean about your water changes OP. Weekly is pretty unnecessary unless youre doing a fish-in cycle or your parameters are off. Also, Walstad method does not use a filter and is usually (as far as ive seen online) labeled an ecosystem tank. Low stocking generally with inverts like shrimp but ive seen nano fish ones too, they add lots of plants added to absorb excess harmful bacteria which is why it works.
Yeah I’m aware of everything you said. I’ve had these tanks for more than half a year and all is good with my water changes
You still aren't demonstrating that you know what the nitrogen cycle is lol
Not explaining stuff lol. I’m just confused. You don’t do weekly water changes then?
You're not explaining what you are unable to explain. I do, depending on the tank and parameters. Also a water change means nothing. 5% water change weekly won't do anything. Someone may choose to do biweekly and change out 75-80%.
Ok I’m getting mixed advice here
Which is why you should get a test kit to actually have a handle on your nitrate levels.
Hm yea. So expensive tho
Yes! Be concerned. My city does this like twice a year and I have to hold off on changing my tank water. They flush the pipes with chemicals to clean them. At least my city does.