Never Done A Water Change ?

[AndyDrew]

Hello ive never done a water change how and whats the best way todo it ? please

 

[crazie.eddie]

A water change is basically removing water from the tank, then adding back the water you removed.

The simplest method is using the Python No-spill. It attaches to your faucet and allows you to drain your tank and then fill your tank up within a few minutes. Otherwise, you can do the old fashioned method of just getting a syphon and bucket and drain some water from the tank into the bucket. Then dump the water into the sink. When you removed enough of the water, you fill the tank back up again, using the bucket again.

 

[Amunet]

Also don't forget to use a dechlorinator on the replacement water.

 

[AndyDrew]

what does it do.. sorry i am a noob ive had my fish set up now about 5 to 6 month an my water level goes down .condesation hopefully .. i have aquasafe that i have been adding every month or so with tap water .. thank all help apriciated .. not that good on spelling either

 

[ICEEGRL]

It helps remove the nitrates that build up in your tank.

 

[Miss Wiggle]

yeah it's to reduce nitrates and add in minerals that will gradually be depleated over time.

do you know anything about the nitrogen cycle?

 

[AndyDrew]

no sorry ..? so u just empty half the tank and refill it with the same water ?

 

[Miss Wiggle]

you empty part of the tank, different situations will require a different amount to be changed, but the average is to change 30% weekly, then refil it with new tap water after adding dechlorinator.

you should read up a bit about cycling and the nitrogen cycle, it'll help you massivley if you ever get any problems. if you read the first part of this post it should give you the basics.

 

[AndyDrew]

thank u very much x ! what test kits do i need so i can order now ! and i still dont really get the water change ? is it a change or just takin it an puttin it back ? sorry could u put it in dumb terms 4 me

 

[Miss Wiggle]

thank u very much x ! what test kits do i need so i can order now ! and i still dont really get the water change ? is it a change or just takin it an puttin it back ? sorry could u put it in dumb terms 4 me

i recommend the API Fresh Water Master Test Kit.

but you can get other brands, make sure it is a liquid test not strips or pills. and you ned to be able to test for (as a minimum) pH, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate.

ok, simple as i can, you remove some old water from the aquarium, run some new water from the tap into a bucket, add dechlorinator then put the new water into the tank.

 

[GordonTGopher]

thank u very much x ! what test kits do i need so i can order now ! and i still dont really get the water change ? is it a change or just takin it an puttin it back ? sorry could u put it in dumb terms 4 me

1. Syphon a bucketful of water from your tank, pour down sink / toilet wherever
2. Repeat step one until you've taken about 30% of the volume of your tank
3. Fill bucket with fresh water from the tap, add dechlorinator, carefully add to tank*
4. Repeat step 3 until the tank is full

*If you just pour from the bucket you'll scare the fish and stir up alot of muck

Test kits: start with nitrIte, nitrAte and ammonia

Gordon

 

[AndyDrew]

Im lookin at this its only 12 quid or somethin is that what i need ?
1 PH REAGENT (5.0-9.5)............10ML

1 AMMONIA REAGENT (0.0-7.3MG/1)..............18ML

1 NITRITE REAGENT *1 (0.0-3.3MG/1)...............16ML

1 NITRITE REAGENT *2 (0.0-3.3MG/1)...............10ML

1 NITRITE REAGENT *1(0.0-110MG/1)................17ML

1NITRITE REAGENT *2 (0.0-110MG/1).................10ML

1 NITRITE REGENT *3 ( 0.0-110MG/1).................10.5ML

2 GLASS TUBES WITH CAPS

1 PIPETTE

1 LAB BASE

4 INSTUCTION BOOKLETS

 

[Miss Wiggle]

Im lookin at this its only 12 quid or somethin is that what i need ?
1 PH REAGENT (5.0-9.5)............10ML

1 AMMONIA REAGENT (0.0-7.3MG/1)..............18ML

1 NITRITE REAGENT *1 (0.0-3.3MG/1)...............16ML

1 NITRITE REAGENT *2 (0.0-3.3MG/1)...............10ML

1 NITRITE REAGENT *1(0.0-110MG/1)................17ML

1NITRITE REAGENT *2 (0.0-110MG/1).................10ML

1 NITRITE REGENT *3 ( 0.0-110MG/1).................10.5ML

2 GLASS TUBES WITH CAPS

1 PIPETTE

1 LAB BASE

4 INSTUCTION BOOKLETS

sounds about right, they're not too pricey, have you got a link to the page you found that on?

 

[AndyDrew]

http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/NUTRAFIN-MINI-MASTER...1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[AndyDrew]

should i buy ? is that what i need ?