is it ok to use the same 5 gallon bucket for siphoning and water changes? i been doing this for almost 2 years so in my experience its ok, I'm just wondering if there could be any health issues related to this?
my lfs used to tell me i had to buy nitrifying bacteria for water changes because when i change say 25% I'm taking out some bacteria so I'm suppost to compensate for this by throwing in a capful. well about 6 months ago i stopped buying it because every time i bought it it was expired and stank despite the date saying 2013 or such and such. and i was having ammonia problems so i concluded with agreements between my lfs employees that i was putting in dead bacteria therefore sky-rocketing the ammonia. i bought the bottles which were expensive like 20$ a bottle several times and kept coming in the next day saying it stinks and its red colored. they gave me my change but it was expensive because the gas and all i live far away. so my other question is- is it ok that i don't put in nitrifying bacteria after every water change? do you do this? and is it ok to use the same 5 gallon bucket for siphoning and filling with new aquarium water? I've done these things for several months at least so- input? thanks
my lfs used to tell me i had to buy nitrifying bacteria for water changes because when i change say 25% I'm taking out some bacteria so I'm suppost to compensate for this by throwing in a capful. well about 6 months ago i stopped buying it because every time i bought it it was expired and stank despite the date saying 2013 or such and such. and i was having ammonia problems so i concluded with agreements between my lfs employees that i was putting in dead bacteria therefore sky-rocketing the ammonia. i bought the bottles which were expensive like 20$ a bottle several times and kept coming in the next day saying it stinks and its red colored. they gave me my change but it was expensive because the gas and all i live far away. so my other question is- is it ok that i don't put in nitrifying bacteria after every water change? do you do this? and is it ok to use the same 5 gallon bucket for siphoning and filling with new aquarium water? I've done these things for several months at least so- input? thanks
easier and not so strenuous.