A Water Change can Kill Ur Fishy's

[ChickenTeeth]

Apparently, in cold climates there is a serious problem that can occur if u replace tank water with water straight from the TAP. It is called GAS EMBOLISM. U can lose every fish in ur tank to this condition!!! Cold water has an enhanced capacity to hold dissolved gases such as chlorine, oxygen and nitrogen. In the summer the tepid tap water is relatively benign except for chlorine. In the winter, this water becomes lethal with gas. When the gas loaded water warms up in ur tank ( or from the addition of some warm water to bring it to tank temperature ), the gas appears in the form of bubbles that cover every surface in the tank including the fishy's. The fishy's gills are quite permeable to the dissolved gases and the bubles will form in the capillaries of the fish, leading to intense pain and hemorrhages
Well this is the first time I ever heard of this??? Makes me wonder how many fish i killed this way without knowing why???

 

[ChickenTeeth]

As I'm thinking about it. I remmeber now, how i Used to think how cool those bubbles were after a nice refreshing water change!!!. Bubbles everywhere NICE. I think thats why my new baby sterlets died. Cuz i kept em in really cool water, i had used cold water even filling their tank from a height...They died one after the other...crap!!!

 

[HarleyK]

It just doesn't make sense to me, on so many levels.

HarleyK

 

[mjime714]

I was always told to keep the new tap water sitting for 24 hours before you put it in your tank, but that wont work for the Megatanks some of you guys run.

 

[Cyclop3000]

I heard of this too a while ago, and also saw the bubbles the first time i filled a tank a few years back. But I have never lost a fish to this...the secret?

Don't send the water straight in the tank. Use your hand, a rock, a mesh, wathever that will make the water cascade on something before it reaches the tank. This helps any gases leave the water. By doing this I never have any bubbles in any of my tanks after a good ol' water change.

 

[id10t]

Keeps from moving your substrate all around too

 

[thamunsta]

i should take this into consideration next time i do a water change, its like -20 EH

 

[TONY60]

Hi chickenteeth, You are correct. Gas bubble disease can be fatel to fish. I have heard of people actually seeing bubbles moving around under the scales of fish.
The phenominon is explained by the gas/vapore pressure law. It is due to the incoming water being colder. And, it is also because the incoming water is not well airiated as well. The gas concentrations are not in the same ratios as those found in a healthy aquarium.
I always age my water in 55gal plastic drums. There I heat, airiate, and fix any incorrect water chemistry variables.
If you can't baby the water like me, there are 2 things you can do. Airiate the water well before use. Or, make shure the water temp is at least as warm as the tanks temp. 1 or 2 degrees difference shoud not be cold enough for this phenominon to appear.

 

[repair]

Hi chickenteeth, You are correct. Gas bubble disease can be fatel to fish. I have heard of people actually seeing bubbles moving around under the scales of fish.
The phenominon is explained by the gas/vapore pressure law. It is due to the incoming water being colder. And, it is also because the incoming water is not well airiated as well. The gas concentrations are not in the same ratios as those found in a healthy aquarium.
I always age my water in 55gal plastic drums. There I heat, airiate, and fix any incorrect water chemistry variables.
If you can't baby the water like me, there are 2 things you can do. Airiate the water well before use. Or, make shure the water temp is at least as warm as the tanks temp. 1 or 2 degrees difference shoud not be cold enough for this phenominon to appear.

 

[fishnutham]

I read that also a long time ago didnt pay a lot attention to it ,havent had a problem yet always fill my tanks with a python held above the water provides lots of airation