Letting water sit or do I need to add conditioner

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scimeca

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Apr 25, 2012
29
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Central Wisconsin
I am looking at adding water to my tank. I am in the city and will be using Tap water. Can I add water to the tank and let sit for a few days before putting fish in or do I still need to add conditioner?

After I add the tap water, do I run the filters, air, etc right away or should I wait a few days until firing those up as well?

Thanks much, I'm as new as they get.
 
Hello; Welcome back. As you will discover there are many views on how to approach setting up tanks. In the end you get to do it any way that suits you. I like to test a tank somewhere "safe" by simply filling it up with water and checking for leaks. Usually in a basement or maybe on a tailgate if the weather is nice. Once it proves to not leak I set up the stand and level it. (I strongly suggest that the tank not be put on carpet, but it can lead to an interesting "lessons learned" thread.) Once the stand is level I place the tank and recheck the level. At this point I add the cleaned substrate and any other decor. ( Take care when dropping things onto the glass at the bottom of a typical tank. There have been posts of rocks and such breaking the bottom and sides of tanks.) I then slowly fill the tank keeping an eye out for leaks. (Every time a tank is moved there is a chance for a seam to give up.) I also keep an eye on the level as the total weight can change how things sit.
Assuming there are no leaks or other problems I go ahead and hook up the filters and get them running along with bubblers. I also place the heater, hood and lights and turn them on. I usually let the tank sit for a day with things running. It can take a while for a heater to get the water up to temperature and stable. There will also likely be a lot of very fine bubbles on most surfaces of the tank and perhaps some cloudiness. If you use sand as a substrate the water can be cloudy for days before the stuff settles or is cleared out by the filter. (The gritty nature of the sand can shorten the life of the filter mechanicals as well.) The bubbles and cloudy ness will dissipate over a time.
If all is still well after a day, I like to add a few rams horn snails and some live plants to the tank. Rooted plants in the substrate or some floating plants like hornwort. Here is one of the areas that many members part company with me. I have found the ramshorn snails, and to an extent the MTS snails, to be a big plus in a tank. Many do not like them. Some members seem to think it cruel to toss snails into new unaged water, I find that they thrive and go about their business right away. I throw some fish food in for the snails and a bit extra just to decay. I allow the tank to run for a few days with the snails and plants, it is a time for further checks to see if things are going well and to make adjustments to the equipment as needed.
Here is where more members and I part on water practice. (You may have already been drawn to the dark side by the argument of using water treatment chemicals " just in case". ) It is interesting that a method I have used with success for over half a century is largely out of favor currently. Use the chemicals or just allow the water to sit for about four days. One thing is what chemicals are used by your tap water supplier. If only chlorine, my method will work . If the chloramines are used then the chemicals have a place.
Back to the tank with only plants and snails. After five to seven days without problems I usually put one zebra danio in the tank. a couple of days later I add one or two more fish and continue this for at least a week or so.
Should you decide to not have live plants or snails, you will have to find some other way to seed the tank with beneficial bacteria (bb) and to get some ammonia into the tank.
 
scimeca said:
I am looking at adding water to my tank. I am in the city and will be using Tap water. Can I add water to the tank and let sit for a few days before putting fish in or do I still need to add conditioner?

After I add the tap water, do I run the filters, air, etc right away or should I wait a few days until firing those up as well?

Thanks much, I'm as new as they get.
Click to expand...

Aged tap water is safe for fish. Letting it sit 24 hours is fine! And when setting up a tank unless very small id just add a hose plus proper amount of dechlor, and yes fire up filters aerators etc! Bb needs food/ammonia, u can buy pure ammonia and dose it or u can cycle with feeder fish since they give off ammonia as well, w/e u do buy a good fw test kit, api master test kit is a great and easy kit that gives 100+ test of ammonia nitrite nitrate ph for 30$ which is a good value, this kit will tell u when its done cycling (apprx 3 weeks) then u can start to add fish safetly!

#1 S. Vettel
 
Aging tap water with chloramines will do next to nothing. Many cities are starting to use them now (don't ask me why). If you're on well water, you will have different concerns.
As for "using chemicals in the water..." I would much rather have the ingredients of Prime in my water than chlorine. I think our fish would agree.
It's amazing to me how few people know what chemicals their water supplier uses and in what quantity...


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Wow, lots of information to take it. I went into the local fish store today and the lady I spoke with was very informative. She stated she would test the water for me and let me know what was needed. It was also brought to my attention of the under gravel filters. Oh what to do. ahhaha

Thanks everyone!
 
aclockworkorange said:
Aging tap water with chloramines will do next to nothing. Many cities are starting to use them now (don't ask me why). If you're on well water, you will have different concerns.
As for "using chemicals in the water..." I would much rather have the ingredients of Prime in my water than chlorine. I think our fish would agree.
It's amazing to me how few people know what chemicals their water supplier uses and in what quantity...


Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app
Click to expand...

So then what does aging tap water do? Softens it?

With no food source wouldnt the ammonia die off and the chlorine be neutral? Ive heard a couple times on here thats an effective safe method of aquarium worthy water especially being piranhas appreciate aged tap. And i test my tap so i generally know the ph, hardness, akalinity, amm/nitrate levels. Regardless i treat with prime, hence why i stated itd be a waste of time unless its a small small tank!

Lets chalk it up to a misunderstanding, id rather not argue with you, weve already met before lol. Im just trying to clarify my perspective

#1 S. Vettel
 
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