Water Changing

[jeff_okeeffe]

Hey guys,
I'm nearly due for my first water change, I've looked up info on how to change the water but they never go into any detail, all i ever get is "Change 20% of the water and make sure the temp is the same as aquarium water". Any help would be appreciated...Thanks in advance

 

[christie71]

i just did one of my first water changes too not too long ago It actually wasn't hard-- Have a bucket that is used just for fish. buy one of the gravel vacs( they are inexpensive and will help a lot when you need to clean gravel) just use the little clip thing and attach it to your hose and bucket (put the bucket lower than the tank). Shake the end of the vac and your water syphins out... then use a container only used for fish water, add you water treatment, make sure it is close to the temp of your tank water- Everywhere I have read says that using you fingure to check is good enough, and fill it back up.
Is your tank cycled? If not fully or it is newly cycled then don't vac the gravel just take water from the top and on't change the filter pad(you can rinse it in the removed water if needed). I hope that helps and please correct me experts if needed

 

[Torrean]

you can use a few methods.

1. My method is using a python. It's a long plastic hose with a gravel vac on it that hooks up to your sink. It's easy but a bit unreasonable for anything smaller than say a 30 gallon.

2. second you can use a gravel vaccuum and a bucket as talked about above. just make sure you add dechlorinator.

3. third you can actually set up a water changer. This is in my understanding a bit expensive and difficult to do but it has been done. It syphons out x amount of water and refills x amount daily. not ure how the dechlor works with this method.

4. you can use a pitcher to remove and add water.

 

[jeff_okeeffe]

So I guess the water temp doesnt have to be exactly the same?

 

[Torrean]

no

Similair temp to the touch is good enough. some say it doesn't matter at all.

 

[Tolak]

Cooler water changes are often used to induce spawning. A few degrees warmer or cooler doesn't matter.

 

[jeff_okeeffe]

Thanks for the help guys

 

[dwarfgourami]

A couple of points to add:

switch off the tank electrics before you get started. You don't want to risk electrocuting yourself, and there is also a risk of the heater breaking if you keep that on while part emptying the tank.

if you are concerned about temperature, you can boil a little water in the kettle and add that to the fresh water in the bucket before you add dechlorinator and add it in the tank

I find a plastic jug is useful for pouring fresh water back into the tank, less disruptive than pouring from the bucket

a plastic sheet for the floor will help keeping your tank popular

don't forget to switch the electrics on again afterwards

 

[Silverlady]

To refill i use a small conservatory watering can with half the spout cut off , dip it in the bucket of water and refill!
I cut the spout because it took ages with a smaller hole at the end.

 

[Callum]

when checking the temperature i used to do the finger thing but now i have a spare thermometer to check the temperature its much more accurate and i prefer it.

 

[littlelegs]

i switch off electrics including heater at least 15 mins before. Remove water with gravel vac (depends on on how much you need to remove) usually 3 or 4 buckets full.
And then treat the water and put back in tank using a jug.
And then switch on electrics again.

 

[Callum]

EDIT: i understand

 

[andywg]

I just dump water straight from the cold tap in, at 20% it will only ever change by a couple of degrees, usually less than one. Nothing the fish aren't built to cope with in the wild.

 

[QuotheRaven]

I gravel vacuum the bottom of my tank with individual buckets because its all I can do Lol

 

[jeff_okeeffe]

Hopefully my water change this weekend will be a success lol...
Thanks for the help