tank temp - mixing boiled and cold water

[Undawada]

I just pour a splash of dechlor in the tank seconds before I fill it up with the python and swirl it around to get a good mix.

I've heard of many fishkeepers doing this before, I was nervous adding tap water when I got the python but haven't had any problems yet, so I'm getting used to it.

I still keep the 40 gallons of warmed up dechlorinated water in case of an emergency big water change. I wouldn't add straight tap water for any more than 15% or so water changes, this would change the temperature too much for my liking.

 

[Hayley]

It is my understanding that the reason you should avoid using water from the hot water tap is because more often than not the pipes in the hot water system are made from copper. In small amounts this isn't an issue but can build up over time and is toxic to fish. I haven't had any problems using small amounts of tap hot water in freshwater aquariums however I wouldn't use tap hot water in my marine aquariums as the animals within are generally much more sensitive to the toxic effects of heavy metals.

 

[Undawada]

That is a good reason too. Are the cold water pipes not copper as well?

 

[@ombomb]

All the water pipes in my house are made from copper, but then I've lived for a year with no detremental affects to the fish, so I don't think there's any need to re-plumb the house

Also I have a mixer tap in the kitchen that I'd used and thinking about it, the best way may be to add the treatment to a jug of warm water and gradually add it in along with the main part of the water.

I'm going to be doing a partial water change tonight and will give it a try.

 

[@ombomb]

Also I think the key is to make sure I run off any water that's been sitting in the internal pipes (I always run the tap for 2 - 3 minutes before using anything in the tank) to make sure anything that does go in hasn't been in contact with the copper for too long.

 

[Jules H-T]

I always leave the water sat overnight to let any excess flourine evaporate, and make sure the heating in the house has been on for a while before just chucking it in. The house temperature gets to around 25 degrees anyway, so am not worried about the temperature shock.

Surprised to see so many people using straight from a hot water tank, but if no-one has any problems then it's fair enough I guess!

 

[annka5]

Does it not depend on how your hot water system works? e.g. if you've a combi boiler, you don't have a hot water tank, if you've any other kind, then you do, and the water is heated in the hot water tank and sits there at higher temp for longer than it would in a cold water pipe. So even running a bit of it off IF you're system uses a hot water tank wouldn't help.
Also, not everyone has mixer taps....

 

[CathyG]

The issue about copper leeching into the water is more applicable when we are talking about using hot water that is stored in a copper cylinder. If you have a combination boiler installed (heats water as it is drawn in from the mains) or use a stainless steel water cylinder (such as a Megaflow system) then copper readings would be negligable at worst.

I currently have a combi boiler, though I am careful to run the standing water out of the pipework before I use any of the hot water. When I move house (in a weeks time) I am back to stored hot water - which I will not use in my tank. That said, I have a Python, so I will get by