Should I clean his tank?

[ds2009]

Hello everyone, a few days ago I got my very first fish (I have yet to post pics because I cannot find the usb cable i have ><). I did a partial water change today and I noticed that there was quite a bit of old food in the gravel. Should I take him out of the tank and clean all the old food out now, do a full water change in a full days, or wait til the end of the month when i was planning on doing a full water change. Thanks

[Adastra]

How big is the tank? Uncycled and unfiltered tanks need frequent 100% water changes and cleanings.

[ds2009]

It is a two gallon tank I believe, and it is filtered.

[vilmarisv]

First of all, if there was food in the gravel it means your overfeeding.
Are you feeding flakes? Flakes are much harder to control portion-wise than pellets. With pellets you just feed 2-3 the fish wont leave anything behind.
But small pieces of flakes will be left behind and foul your water quicker.
As for you partial water changes, if you have an uncycled tank I would suggest you get a syphon to perform your partial water changes with. It'll remove a large portion of waste from the bottom keeping your tank clean longer. It's very easy to use and you'll be amazed at the amount of junk you get out of your tank just with a partial water change.

[ds2009]

Well he hasnt been eating at all really so most of the flakes just went to the bottom, i plan on getting some pellets soon for him. Do you know how much siphons cost roughly?

[Alex09]

I got a siphon at walmart for $9. I also saw them at petco for $13 or so.

[ds2009]

Great thanks a lot for the help ^^

[Adastra]

Before committing to partial water changes, you should really research the Nitrogen Cycle and get a water test kit so that you know what you're doing. Fish-in cycling exposes the fish to ammonia, and you don't want to do that blindly.

Until you have time to cycle the tank, you should do 100% water changes every 3-4 days. It might be prudent to do a 100% change now if it's been awhile--considering the poor guy isn't eating and probably sat in some really nasty water at the pet store.

As for a siphon, I highly recommend buying as many of your supplies online as possible. Pet stores mark up their prices ridiculously in order to cover the insane overhead of their big retail stores. I do all my shopping here: http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.com/

Here's some items you might consider buying:
http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.co...89&pcatid=3889

http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.co...54&pcatid=4454

http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.co...m?pcatid=11368

http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.co...21&pcatid=3921

All these items are marked down around $10 or more--and shipping is a very reasonable 8.99 flat rate. So you can save a lot if you order a few things at once.

[Ajones108]

^ True story. F&S Aquatics is fantastic. Actually, I think it was Adastra that got me hooked on them to begin with. :)

[ds2009]

Thanks! Unfortunately I have no means to buy stuff online (even though I am in college ^^;) and I spent the rest of my money on the guy and the supplies i already have for him so i have to wait for my next paycheck on the 1st of october to get him a siphon and stuff >.< Anyways thanks again, I am going to do a full water change now (the water is looking a little clouded even thoug i did a full water change yesterday :o )