I'm a real Newbie!

[Tiny_Bubbles]

Okay, I'm taking the plunge into being a new aquarium/fish owner. I've done some research but still need to do a lot more. I'm learning a lot by lurking here but I do have some general questions that seem silly to ask but I'm finding the information I'm getting from the local stores varies quite a bit :liar:. Okay, first, when changing water in my aquarium (once I get my aquarium all set up and cycled) can I use water from the bib hose or do I need to use sink water that is warmer? My sink is fairly close but I can't seem to find the correct attachment that will fit over the faucet so I'm wondering if I can get by with outside hosebib water, but I'm thinking it's too cold. BTW, I haven't settled on my fish yet but I'm shooting for a more colorful tank so I'm thinking my water temp should be in the 76-82 range. I'm planning to change 50% water weekly and I want to make it as simple and routine as possible. I have a 36 gal tank also. Should I just use 5 gal buckets with sink water at close to the correct temp and then transfer to tank (after of course I've added declorinator)? Just curious how does everyone else change their water? If I leave 1/2 the water in the tank would that balance out the temp of the new water if I used water from outside? It's a basic question but I'm trying to think ahead to everything before getting started. I don't have any friends with tanks so I'm doing this on my own.

Thanks!

M.

[EDDIE PIGON]

Get yourself a pyton hose,you can drain and fill the tank 50%.Before i refill my tank i put declorinateor in the tank and add water about the same temp as the water in the tank .With the pyton it makes life a lot easy.GOOD LUCK

[Tiny_Bubbles]

thanks, I'll try that although my faucet doesn't have threads to screw the hose into so I'm not sure it'll work. That's my preference to use the sink but if I can't find an adaptor I was wondering what the next best option would be to get my water temp close enough to my tank temp when replacing it.

[Phil22]

Your faucet doesn't have an aerator/filter that unscrews? You will really need to figure out a way to get the refill water temp as close to the tank water temp as possible. I'm afraid water from the hosebib will be too cold.

[Tiny_Bubbles]

I know it sounds crazy but we (my husband and I) can't get the darn thing to unscrew so we're thinking it might not come off. I've tried a couple tools but now we're scratching the fixture so I'm off to Home Depot to find that fixture to see if it does unscrew. The house is only 5 years old so you'd think it should come off. Thanks!

[msjinkzd]

what about a bathroom sink?
Regardless, you want to match the temp as close as possible. If you figure out a way to direct fill, add dechlorinator to the tank for the TOTAL volume of the tank before adding new water. If you use buckets, dose the buckets for the volume being added to the tank.

[Tiny_Bubbles]

Bathroom has the same type of fixture, only smaller. Can't get that one off either. Thanks for the suggestions.

[b.greene]

:welcome: Welcome Tiny_bubbles! You will find a great deal of help here. Just be sure to read up on cycling before you get started. Good luck!!!

ps May sound crazy,but if you can afford it, I would opt for a new sink spout and get a python. Life will be significantly easier!!!

[Beowulff83]

even the cheaper faucets usualy come able to be unscrewed, because you have to be able to take it off to clean the screen if it becomes cloged . . . thats very strange.

[Tiny_Bubbles]

well, we have two sinks in the kitchen, one is for washing dishes and one is for washing vegetables (crazy I know) anyway, I did get the nozzle off the vegetable sink so I know the other comes off too. Now it's just getting it off! We'll get it sooner or later!

I have read about cycling and I will take care to do all that before I buy my fish. I also filled my tank today (half just to check it out and tried out the siphon (vacuum), yuck! Sorry, but I just did not like. I'm glad I tried it before I got fish in the tank. I'm definitely going to get the python. I just wish it didn't waste so much water....we have a shortage here in CA.

Thanks again for your suggestions, help and welcome.

M.

[Marinemom]

If you have to, then you can use buckets filled with water from the sink. You want to match the temp of the water from the sink to as close as you can from the tank. Water from the hose outside is just too cold and will shock your fish possibly to death so don't do that.

By the way, welcome to Aquaria Central. Enjoy your stay.

Marinemom

[THE V]

http://www.asontv.com/household/grip-wrench.html

I picked up one of these several years ago at Wal-mart. It works really well to get things off without damaging them. I imagine if you have hard water that the deposits have locked it up tight. You could try soaking the faucet in vinegar or CLR.

As for using the python for vacuuming, I just toss one end into the bathtub and I get plenty of suction. No need to run the faucet and waste all that water. You can also attach a standard garden hose to the python and run it outside to water/fertilize your yard. For a 36 gallon I would just use buckets. 50% water change is only 4 trips. I use a bucket to change my QT tank in the garage, and I fill up the buckets in the bathtub.

[injunear]

Tiny_Bubbles: See if this will work for you.......My tank's around 36 gallons and this makes life easy.

http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=151405

[Tiny_Bubbles]

Quick update, we got the faucet gismo fixed so I am going to the petstore today to purchase my python.

What do you all think about undergravel filters for a beginner? I have a 36 gal tank that came with a Aqueon power filter (30). Seems like a decent filter, anyone think I need anything else (better)? I'm planning to have some live plants (don't like plastic) and I want a nice color tank with smaller size fish (still researching).

Thanks again for your advice.

M.