How to do a water change the right way?

ktkt22

ktkt22

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Dec 26, 2007
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Ok so this might sound silly but I have questions concerning partial water changes, I understand the concept but need some technical help.

The water that I am going to put in -
Do I need to let it sit for some time?
Do I need to add anything?
How can I get it the right temperature?

I've searched these threads for a while and haven't found the answer to this question!! I know its probably right in front of my eyes but I can't seem to find it!

Any advice would be appreciated!
 
When I do my weekly 30% PWC change I do the following...

1. With a gravel vac go over the substrate being careful not to let a fish get sucked up the vac. ( I use a 6 gallon bucket for the waste water )

2. When I'm happy with the vacuuming I just let the vac continue until I have the 6 gallon bucket filled.

3. Using a digital thermometer in a glass I adjust the temp of the water running into the glass until I get within a degree of my tank temp.

4. Fill a smaller bucket ( 2 gallon in my case ) with this tap water and treat with dechlorinator ( I use Prime ) and then add to tank, repeat until tank is refilled.

Note: The other way involves the Python system, which I don't have... YET!
 
1) you don't need to let it sit for any time if you use a water conditioner, like Prime, Amquel, or another, to take out the chlorine. If you don't use these, you need to let it sit for a few days for the chlorine evaporate, but I would just use a conditioner to do it.

2)see above.

3) you can let it reach room temp by letting it set for a while before you use it, or match the temp of your tank to the water coming out of the tap. I would use a thermometer to check the temp, until you do it for a while. I'm sure most people that have kept tanks for a while can match the temp pretty well just by feel. But I know when I was first doing it, I would always be about 8 degrees warmer then what it should of been.
 
You don't need to be as precise as to use a thermometer to match temperatures. I use my hand and if the tap feels about right, I go with it. Sometimes you may not want to match temperature as it simulates different weather. Colder water can simulate rainfall and cause Corydoras to spawn.

Like stated above, you want to treat your water to remove chlorine and chloramines from the water. Prime is a specific brand of this product, but it is more concentrated and has more bang for the buck than other brands a lot of times. This is normally all you have to look out for in tap water.

You will want to test your tap water if you've never tested it before. Some tap water has levels of ammonia and nitrates in it. Dose the water with Prime, leave the water sitting out for 24 hours, and use a test like like the AP Master Test Kit to test it. If you have any levels of ammonia or high levels of nitrate in your water, you may want to use RO water.
 
If you will be adding the water with a dechlorinator, the temperature match is easily done by feel. For most people its easy to get within a degree by feel.
If you are letting the water sit out for chlorine, you need to add the water slowly to avoid a rapid temperature excursion. Chances are good that room temperature is not a good match to your tank. When I add RO water, it needs to sit out until I have enough. That means I have a terrible temperature match. What I do is use some air line tubing as a siphon to add the water. That way my heater can keep up and the fish never have a cold tank from the water I am adding.
 
Just as a note, chlorine will evaporate out of tap water over 24 hours if left at room temperature, but chloramines will not, which is why a water conditioner like Prime is always recommended.
 
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