Powerhead Question ?????

[narnold]

I have a 58 Gallon Tank with an undergravel Filter 2 powerheads , Marineland canister filter and twin biowheels , I also have an airpump attached to one of those long rods that releases air that makes bubbles. This of course is located on the back wall of the tank.

We usually go to a Fish store to buy our Filtered Fresh Water because we have a city well that the clorine is WAY TO POTENT !!!!!!!!

This week I have not had time due to school to go buy some water to top off my tank. Right now the water level is about maybe 3/4 of an inch from being below the powerheads.
Tomorrow after work im going to get water but right now im scared I will be at work and it will be blowing water inside the tank due to the powerheads being out of the water.

Can I unplug the powerheads tomorrow morning before work and then turn them back on in the afternoon when I get some water ? Or is Turning them off with only the Biowheels and air bubbles from that stick a bad thing for a day ???????



Thanks

[toddnbecka]

There shouldn't be any major problems from shutting down the powerheads temporarily.

[Riiz]

You might lose part of any bacteria you have living in the gravel. And if your city chlorine is really strong, you can use Seachem's Prime, its especially concentrated. One capful or 5ml treats 50gal of water, you shouldnt need to buy your water unless its loaded with chemicals or heavy metals.

[elks]

Instead of buying water just use a 5 or 10 gallon tank or food safe container and add an airstone. 24 hours later the chlorine should be gased out.

[fishorama]

Have you tried Prime to get rid of the chlorine, maybe let it sit if you're worried? Having to go get water will discourage you from doing enough big water changes. I'd try to find an easier & cheaper way than having to make a special trip each week, let alone hauling 12+ gallons.

[Star_Rider]

ditto prime.
also keep in mind many municipal water supplies now use chlroamine...it is more stable than chlorine and will not gas off like chlorine will.

[jm1212]

even if your city does dose chlorine very heavily, you can increase your dose of dechlorinator to meet your needs. many dechlorinators are safe up to 3x, and Prime is safe up to 5x normal dose

[Charlie Greiner]

Other options include Reverse Osmosis and Deionization. With either of these you will need to add back to the water as they remove the needed minerals. However, the water is extremely pure and, if you are trying to keep very soft water requiring fish they are an excellent choice.

Charlie

[narnold]

Thank you everyone for your replies and great ideas. I actually woke up a little late this morning and wasnt able to do as I said I was meaning unplug my powerheads. Luckily nothing bad happened like the water evaporating to much and causing a BIG MESS !!!!!!!!!
I replaced my Water this afternoon and now everything is back to normal :)

Our City water is so high in Clorine I have tried everything. Even the Fish PLace I go to who is very knowlegable said its to much hassel and still isnt good for fish...we kept testing the water and it still said to high in Clorine.
I pay like $175 a week at the most for water so thats not bad IMO !!!!!!!

Everything is awsome and looking good.

Thanks Again :)

[wackydan]

I have a question... Is the fish place using the same water source as your home?

That's a loaded question mind you.

[Riiz]

Thank you everyone for your replies and great ideas. I actually woke up a little late this morning and wasnt able to do as I said I was meaning unplug my powerheads. Luckily nothing bad happened like the water evaporating to much and causing a BIG MESS !!!!!!!!!
I replaced my Water this afternoon and now everything is back to normal :)

Our City water is so high in Clorine I have tried everything. Even the Fish PLace I go to who is very knowlegable said its to much hassel and still isnt good for fish...we kept testing the water and it still said to high in Clorine.
I pay like $175 a week at the most for water so thats not bad IMO !!!!!!!

Everything is awsome and looking good.

Thanks Again :)

WOW!!! $175 a week for water. I would put one weeks worth of water into a quality R/O unit, that will last you months on one set of filters.

And who told you the chlorine is that high, the store selling you the water?

[narnold]

WOW!!! $175 a week for water. I would put one weeks worth of water into a quality R/O unit, that will last you months on one set of filters.

And who told you the chlorine is that high, the store selling you the water?

Sorry not $175 i'm only spending maybe $1.75 a week

[fishorama]

How much water are you changing per week? It doesn't sound like enough $$ to = large enough WCs. This will have a cumulative bad effect on your tank.