Water Changes

[dtaylor21184]

Ok this might be a daft question but when you all do water changes how do you go about it exactly and how do you get the new water to the temp of the tank water?

Thanks

 

[Caprichoso]

I remove the water using a Python(gravel vac). Then I add Prime to de-chlorinate. Then I turn on the cold water tap and the hot water tap and find the right temp by comparing it to the temp in my tank(I test with my hand). Then I turn the Python nozzle so that the water goes through the tube instead of down the drain and I fill my tank with the tap water.

 

[Bignose]

So long as the new water is within 15 degrees F of the tank water, nothing bad will happen. Even if you do a 50% change, the net result is water that is only 7.5 degrees from where it was -- a small amount really. Of warmer or cooler, it is probably best to err on side of cooler. Of the temperature changes that occur in nature, temperature drops are more common than jumps. In fact, you may even see some new behavior from your fish, as for some species, a rush of cool water represents a spring time melt, and triggers spawning events. I am never seeking spawning behavior, but at least a few times each year, my cory catfish will spawn after a water change with cooler water.

 

[Randi]

I don't have a water changer that hooks up to the tap (although I should get one) so I use a gravel vac to siphon the water into a 5 gallon bucket. Sometimes I have to fill it more than once. Then I refill the bucket with water from the bath tub tap, testing the temperature with my hand. I add dechlorinator (Prime) to the bucket while I'm filling it. Then I dump the water into the tank very carefully so I don't squash the fish. Refilling takes twice as many trips because I can't lift the bucket very high when it is all the way full.

 

[This Old Spouse]

I don't have a water changer that hooks up to the tap (although I should get one) so I use a gravel vac to siphon the water into a 5 gallon bucket. Sometimes I have to fill it more than once. Then I refill the bucket with water from the bath tub tap, testing the temperature with my hand. I add dechlorinator (Prime) to the bucket while I'm filling it. Then I dump the water into the tank very carefully so I don't squash the fish. Refilling takes twice as many trips because I can't lift the bucket very high when it is all the way full.

+1
I'm about the same, but use a thermometer to check the water temp. I put Stress Coat in the 5g bucket before I dump it back in the tank, and pour the new water on my tallest rock to disperse it. Then I repeat X5!

 

[ace61502]

I also use a 5 gallon bucket, but I use a 2 quart pitcher to "dip" the water back in until the water in the bucket is too low to fill it, then I can pour the rest in. That way I don't have to make as many trips. Like the PPs, I use a gravel vacuum and add dechlor to each bucket full. For temp, I do the finger test and try to match it as close as possible, but prefer to err on the side of warmer, not colder, as I've seen here several times that when treating for Ick fish can handle a raise in temp better than a drop. I have seen where Danios can be convinced to spawn by adding cold water in the morning, too, though.

 

[dtaylor21184]

Thank you all for the replies really helpful and answered my question perfectly. Well I have all the things mentioned bucket, declor, gravel cleaner so I think I'll be ready to do water changes when needed just about to start cycling my tank today.