Water Change Question.

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
richardhmc;662459; said:
I see.. Hmm, So if I add an airstone into my tank, this should de-chlorinate the water?

Then what is the best way to add the water into the tank? and take it out?
Maybe then 15 percent everyday? little by little?
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Nope! Never add tap water directly to your tank. There are people here that do all the time, but resist the urge. They are not the ones who have to live in the fish tank.

If you age the water before adding it to the tank, an airstone will mix up the water bringing the chlorine to the surface so it can bleed off. Chlorine evaporates faster than water, that is why this technique works.

If you can not get permission for buckets of water in the house, just use dechlor. Mix it in your fill bucket and let it set for about thirty seconds. It is fast acting but again, resist the urge to do the mixing in your tank.

Taking the water out using the Python is the easiest. Btw, you don't need to keep the faucet going during the whole process. I turn mine on for a few seconds just to get the syphon going. I also drain to my shower rather than the sink. The lower the end of the hose, the more powerful the syphon.

To refill the tanks, I have 1.25g, 5g, and 20g containers. The 1.25 is for small tanks and top offs. The 5g requires some man-handling and the 20g gets a sump pump to do the dirty work.
 
No! Are you serious? I dont have to leave the faucet on!?!? I wasted about 200 gallons of water doing water changes! (not even kidding or exaggerating)

I only have a 5 gallon orange home depot bucket. So I am guessing I cant do it? -meaning leaving the water in the bucket overnight with an airstone in it...

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produ...&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Np=1&pc=1&N=0&Nty=1

is this a good chemical to use?
 
prophets;662471; said:
I'm sure I'm going to get flak for the above statements. :WHOA: :grinno: ^
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Actually on my other computer I have a WWII artillary smilie guy that shoots flak :D It would have been cute right now. I have never been able to use it though. It looks like I still won't.

Don't worry about the flamers. You have good advice and you know what you are talking about. If there are ten different opinions, that does not mean nine are wrong, right?
 
richardhmc;662492; said:
I see... well, ive just added an airstone in my tank to keep up with oxygen.
Im surprised that my fish are doing so fine! :)

Can you show me what products are best? I mean de-chlorinating products?

How should i add the water? should i put the water in a bucket, add the de-chlorinating chemical, and then pour it in? Or any other ways?

Yes. Vitaliy knows alot. Ive learned almost everything from him since the day he let me buy his two fish tanks for 20 bucks!

- Richard
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Me personally, I couldn't rate one dechlor product over the other. I have a supply of Sodium Thiosulfate which is the main ingredient in most of them. They are all good and do the job they are suppose to. Some products add things like alloe to help the slime coat.

I add the dechlor to the bucket first, then the water. This mixes it all up and gives the dechlor a head start in getting to work. By the time I carry the bucket to the tank, the chlorine is gone (turns to Sodium Chloride which is salt).
 
I see... well, its off to petland discounts again! for the 100th time!
Ive been there so many times, i think they recognize my face. Im scared to go back there in case they might say something.
 
richardhmc;662503; said:
No! Are you serious? I dont have to leave the faucet on!?!? I wasted about 200 gallons of water doing water changes! (not even kidding or exaggerating)

I only have a 5 gallon orange home depot bucket. So I am guessing I cant do it? -meaning leaving the water in the bucket overnight with an airstone in it...

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produ...&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Np=1&pc=1&N=0&Nty=1

is this a good chemical to use?
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You would be surprised at how many Python users here still haven't figured that out either. If your sink and tank are at the same level, the suction won't be that strong. That is why I drain to the shower. If you have a tub, that will still work. Just make sure to have something to weight down the hose so it does not come out of the tub. Your HD bucket will do. When I was at JuanTamad's house in Miami, he kept three 55g barrels with airstones for his water changes. (he has some fish to die for.)

Prime is a very good product. Depending on where you buy it, it can be a little pricey. It is an excellent vacation chemical though (extra insurance while you are away) (it detoxifies ammonia and nitrites). Don't rely too heavily on detoxifiers though. It is said that some will release the ammonia or nitrites back into the water after a period of time.
 
richardhmc;662503; said:
No! Are you serious? I dont have to leave the faucet on!?!? I wasted about 200 gallons of water doing water changes! (not even kidding or exaggerating)

I only have a 5 gallon orange home depot bucket. So I am guessing I cant do it? -meaning leaving the water in the bucket overnight with an airstone in it...

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produ...&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Np=1&pc=1&N=0&Nty=1

is this a good chemical to use?
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Yes, Prime is considered by many to be the best.

Chompers is right on, I would agree with all his previous posts and will now start using his method for answering questions. Gotta get yourselg that ammonia test kit when you can.

prophets;662471; said:
Bottom line is you need to do what works for you. Everyone has their own way of doing things, and some think they are mighty than thou. :irked: Not all tanks are created equal.

Its just a simple routine maintenace that you need to figure out that works best for you and your inhabitants.

Can you imagine checking your water params everyday? Doing W/C everyday? How much will that cost you over a period of 1 year? Quite a bit of money, and its even tougher since your are still in school.

Set up a schedule for yourself and try to follow it as close as possible. I'm sure there will be times you may miss one or two maintenance routine, but who hasn't? Fishkeeping is a great hobby, but its not your whole life. Well, unless you're in the aquatic biz/field, but even then dealing with it at work all day and coming home to deal with it..everyone needs a break. Besides, when you look at the lil buggers or feed them, you'll notice if something is amiss, and perform your tests and do what needs to be done to correct the problem.
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Well put prophets, Just as an example, here's my schedule with my tanks.

85g discus friday morning 25g w/c sunday evening 35-40g w/c nitrates never above 10ppm
75g 13" silver aro 35-40g w/c once a week ppm never above 20ppm
75g 3 pair of convicts 35-40g w/c once a week, refill 25g water comes from the silver aro tank and 10 g new water. nitrates nver above 40ppm
65g RPBs 35g w/c every other week nitrates never above 40ppm
72g planted tank 15-20g w/c once every 4 weeks nitrates very close to zero.

I not saying you should follow any of my schedules they work for me and my fish, I just wanted to show you the wide range of w/c's I do on 5 of my tanks,

Again don't get discouraged, use your best judgement on what advice to follow. Most of all enjoy your fish:)
 
In my Fishroom i have about 10 tanks that i do water changes on pretty much everyday, the cost of hydro is virtually nothing for my house, i wont get into details though. On my 2 65g tanks i do a 40%wc on my fry tanks i do 75% daily and on the other tanks only about 10-15% every other day or so
 
I see... I think I understand now. just gotta go to the lfs :)

and thanx alot. I really enjoy my fish :)
 
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