Water Changes

[katykaye]

I think I gave them a bit of a shock last time I did a water change because the water was too warm.

I normally check it by touch, but is there a safer way of making sure that the temp is good to add to the tank?

I am due to do a 25% change tonight (or in the morning)
Thanks

 

[andywg]

On normal changes there is an easy way to make sure that the water isn't too warm, just fill up from the cold tap. The fish will easily cope with it, and a number of fish will spawn once colder water is added.

 

[rabbut]

As andywg states, so long as it is a small change, i.e. 25% or less, you will be fine to just add cold from the tap. If doing a larger change, warm the water, then check by touch, and use a thermomiter if in doubt

HTH
Rabbut

 

[Minni3]

I always use a thermometer, I don't trust myself to do it by touch =P

 

[Chrispixx]

I always use a thermometer.

Me too... I use a digital fork type meat thermometer it works great. I usually get it within a few degrees of the tank(s). I have added water thats warmer than the tank with no problems, but it was only like 3-4 degrees. I was always told by older fish keepers fish get shocked when its colder, like really cold. Thats why i don't do it that way, especially this time of year. Aound here the cold water comes into the house at 50 deg. /10C Thats ccooold...Brrrr.

 

[Hollymolly4]

My water gets ICE COLD so I have to warm it up at the tap. I fill mine with a python so if I run the water slowly at first I can change the temp as needed.

 

[Matt_northants]

On tne PFK website there is a calculator in the tools section which tells you how much boiling water you need to add to room temperature water to raise it to 25C for a given volume

 

[andywg]

I always use a thermometer.

Me too... I use a digital fork type meat thermometer it works great. I usually get it within a few degrees of the tank(s). I have added water thats warmer than the tank with no problems, but it was only like 3-4 degrees. I was always told by older fish keepers fish get shocked when its colder, like really cold. Thats why i don't do it that way, especially this time of year. Aound here the cold water comes into the house at 50 deg. /10C Thats ccooold...Brrrr.

But let's say you do a 20% change and add 10 degree water to a tank that is 24 degrees.

You get (0.80x24) + (0.20x10) = 19.2 + 2 = 21.2, a drop of under 3 degrees. And this drop is based on all of the water hitting the tank at exaclt ythe same time and there being absolutely no ambient heating in place form the room, the heater in the tank and any other heat producing sources (such as an air pump pumping warmer air into the tank, lights heating up the tank or any pumps generating heat).

In reality, a 20% change, even in winter, is not likely to get the water to cool by more than 2 degrees.

 

[Marshall..]

I run my pipe over a radiator on its way into the tank when the water outside is really cold (I use an outside tap) but I always let the cold water trickle in.I dont think fish are affected by a few degrees, think about when they are in the wild and swimming between light and shade,and at night when temperatures drop, they are used to changes in temperature.

 

[Luketendo]

My tap water comes out 5C, but it's different in summer.

 

[Amerce]

You could always run your water into the bucket or whatever the night before, let it sit overnight and then you have reasonably room temp water.