First Water Change

[benthyer]

Right so I have decided it is probably time for me to do a water change especially as I am doing a fish-in-cycle (sorry for swearing!)
 
I have obtained a bucket that has been in my garden, I can't recall where it has come from but I have cleaned it with a new cloth so as not to get any washing liquid or detergents in it, I have then rinsed it with cold water to remove all grass and debris and finally rinsed it out with boiling water. Should this now be safe to use?
 
My next question is when I go to add more water do I add enough de-chlorinator for what I am putting back in or for the size of my whole tank?
 
If I was to do a 20% water change I would need to do it in two runs, is this ok and then what would I do in terms of treating the water? This could possibly be answered by my previous question.
 
Also should I put a heater in the bucket of water to be added to bring it up to temperature so as not to give the fish a shock?
 
Sorry if I have asked any stupid questions I just want to make sure I don't get it wrong and end up making my fish uncomfortable.
 
 
 

 

[Ninjouzata]

Can't really say for sure if the bucket would be safe to use.
 
When using buckets I added enough dechlor to treat each bucket. It's safe to overdo it a little. Although if you're dechlorinating with prime that can mess with your ammonia readings.
 
Where are you getting the water from? Outside hose or the bath tub? The temperature does not have to be exact, just close, you should be able to tell this with your hand.
 
You're not asking any stupid questions

 

[benthyer]

Ok, well maybe if I rinse it out one more time with boiling water then I'll use it. It looks brand new now after the clean I have given it!
 
So only enough treatment for the water that's in the bucket not for the overall volume of the tank, got it! The dechlor I have is API Stress Coat+
 
I get the water from my kitchen tap, is that okay? I only asked as I noticed you never included the kitchen in your list.

 

[Ninjouzata]

I would trust it after that, but that's me. Others would possibly be more inclined to get a new bucket, and have it used only for the fish.
Yep! At least that's what I did and everyone was fine. Now I use a syphon attached to the faucet so I use enough dechlor for the entire tank.
Oops, yes I do believe the kitchen would be fine. It didn't occur to me as all of our tanks are upstairs, and the kitchen is downstairs

 

[benthyer]

I'm gunna go for it. What percentage change should I go for seeing as I haven't done one yet? My bucket is 3 gallons which is 10% of my tank, I might go for a 20% change as I haven't done one yet

 

[Ninjouzata]

How long have you had the tank, and what are the readings? Most try to do 25% minimum each week.

 

[benthyer]

Its been running for about 2 weeks but only had fish in it for about 4-5 days. When I last did readings I think ammonia might of been 0 but possibly 0.25ppm the nitrites are in the same sort of place and nitrates are high but it comes out of my tap high.

 

[Ninjouzata]

You could probably leave it, I think? Though if you do want to do the w/c then go right ahead.
I've just been hearing different things lately about fish-in cycling.
Suppose it's down to what kind of fish you have as well. 
Maybe someone more knowledgeable will come along soon to help? :c

 

[benthyer]

I only have 4 zebra danios in there so it's not an awful lot considering the size of the tank. I have already taken out 20% so going to have to go through with it now. Just deciding whether to risk pouring it in from the bucket or to use the siphon to do it haha

 

[Ninjouzata]

Ah okay
Like using the siphon to get water from the bucket into the tank or pouring it, or using the siphon attached to the faucet?
Either way is easier than pouring the bucket though, imo.

 

[Blondielovesfish]

When putting water back into the tank, I have a small plastic tub that I put in that floats, I then pour the water softly into the tub, this wi I don't disturb any of my aquascape

I personally just boil some water up (about 2 litres) and then add it to the bucket of cold water (10L bucket), this gets the temperature to approximately the right temp

I personally just use enough dechlorinater to treat the bucket but I do know of some people that treat the whole tank.

 

[benthyer]

Thanks for all the tips, think I will boil some water up next time to add to the bucket as I am still waiting for the next one to get up to temperature! 
 
Yeah I had to do some math's to figure out how much dechlor to use for a bucket haha, hope I got it right haha!
 
Yeah I was gunna use the siphon to get water from bucket to tank instead of trying to lift and pour and risk getting it all over the floor, my other half definitely won't be impressed if I got the floor soaked! haha

 

[benthyer]

Going off topic here, the filter I have is very tall and although it does fit upright in my tank I have to move the gravel from underneath it to get it as low as possible, should I put it on a slight angel to submerge it more?

 

[Ninjouzata]

If you can find some sort of syringe or pipette that could help you with measuring dechlor for the buckets.
Definitely don't want to soak the floor I'm a wimpy little thing so the 5g bucket we were using for water changes, I couldn't do. Someone else had to.
Hmm..I don't think I'd angle it, imagine water might spill out? Though of course I'm not 100% sure what you're talking about. Perhaps a picture would help?
How much gravel do you have? Depth-wise, that is?

 

[benthyer]

I have about an inch of gravel depth wise if that. The filter I have is very tall and the top only just fits underneath the water level, it's alright now I have scraped the gravel aside