Water Changes, Fish N Chemicals

[Militis]

Ok next week i am getting my oscar i know your thinking why do you want to know this now well because i like to get it out of the way.
Ok the thing is that i want to know do i do a water change 30-50% of the water and add water conditioner or is this a bad thing to do as it might hurt the bacteria.
Also do you always put water conditioner in if so what do you do with the fish because the chemicals will hurt him/her so does the bacteria keep the tank in condition?? or should i use this water conditioner but what i really wanted to know this because i was told you should never take the fish out of the tank so i am kinda confused and you are probly now to lol.

 

[Ianab]

Water conditioner like Prime is harmless to both fish and bacteria at the recomended doses. All it does is neutralise any stray chlorine, ammonia etc that may be in your tap water. It leaves residual salt / sulfate that are harmless in small amounts.

Either mix the conditioner into the new water before you add it to the tank, or dilute it in a couple of litres of water and pour that into the tank before you fill it from a hose.

Cheers

Ian

 

[Militis]

Thanks that helps alot .

 

[Burtess]

Ianab gives the proper advise.

I think I read in another thread that you bought some buckets, in that case you can treat the water in them before you add it to the tank. I too use Prime, and a cap full will treat 50gal, so its a quick dribble for a 5gal bucket.
Just make sure you make the replacement water a similar temperature as your tank.

I have read that you are taking your water in to your LFS to be checked. You should really purchase ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate test kits so you can do these tests yourself.

Bravo to you for researching and making sure everything is ready before you get your fish!!

Burt

 

[Militis]

Thanks burt i am going to buy some test kits hopefully soon next week i am going to ask my LFS where they get them because i don't think they sell test kits and you are saying that i should make the water the same temp of water how do i do that??? because i thought you just add slowy.

 

[Burtess]

You want to make the replacement water within a couple degrees of the aquarium water temperature. Just add hot water on top of the cold water in the bucket until they either feel similar on your hand, or the same by measuring with a thermometer. Add a bit of Prime (or whatever dechlorinator you are using, in the proper dosage) and let the bubbles settle out (the water may be cloudy after adding the hot water to the cold). Then dump it in the tank.

Remember to always unplug your heater when doing tank cleaning!!!

Burt

 

[Militis]

Thanks agian and yes i know about unpluging everything.