Water Changes

[Maxta]

I know im no where near the point at adding fish.

But once iv finished cycling, and i have to do a 75-90% water change, will it be okay to just add treated cold water from the tap, let it heat up overnight or something and then add fish? Or will this kill my bacteria?

Also what is best when doing weekly water changes, is it okay to get a bucket of water, treat it and add some warm water from the kettle to get it to tank temperature? Or is that a no no. People from the pet shop said just get another heater and heat the water up overnight then add.

Thanks
Ian

 

[for_my_fish]

you want the temp as close as you can. But don't sweat over it. Give the wate chance for the declorinator to do its work though

 

[helterskelter]

Firstly only ever change 20-30% of the water never any more, only a 50% change if the fish look dead already. weekly or bi-weekly changes are best for stable tanks.

I then use a mix of cold and warm tap water and mix dechlorineator it works very quickly and once the temps are even (slightly cooler is ok but never higher) then i gently pore in or syphone in the water from the bucket.

If you don't dechlorinate the water, aerating it will remove the chlorine in 3-4 hours

 

[vinylman]

It's best to use boiled kettle water to bring the water up to tank temperature. Hot water pipes can contain copper. Also, you need to use a dechlorinator which also gets rid of chloramines. I always prepare my buckets of dechlorinated water the night before the change, then just add the boiled kettle water right before the change next morning. BTW, when you get the cold water out of the tap, let it run for a minute or so before filling your buckets and adding the dechlorinator.

People from the pet shop said just get another heater and heat the water up overnight then add.

Thanks
Ian

I didn't notice this bit before; they're just trying to get you to spend more money. Just use boiled kettle water.