water changes

D

davidtcb1

AC Members
Aug 20, 2004
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Nashville TN area
Hello:

I am new to this forum and the hobby in general. Have just gotten my 75 gal. freshwater community set up and am sure I'll have a few questions - even after the extensive homework I've done already.

First off, when it comes time for a water change, do I need to dechlorinate the remaining water in the tank before adding the tap water or do I need to condidtion the tap water prior to adding it in? I have heard conflicting accounts.

Everything else seems to be going fine right now after a week up and running. Thanks!
 
thats what cool about this hobby, everyone has a different way of doing things. Me personally I addin my dechlorinator in my 5gal bucket then add the tap water then add it to the tank. My water is very close in ph gh and everything right out of the tap so i have no problems. What you might want to do is take a bowl of water test the PH immidiately, then let it sit out for a couple hours and then test the ph, because depending on the CO2 content of the tap water the ph can change as it sits out and the CO2 leaves.


Now if you are using a python or a hose to fill your tank, then i would add half the dose of dechlorinator into the tank first then fill and about half way through add the rest of the dechlorinator.
 
Thanks....I am using a python and just wanted to make sure I would not be potentially harming the fish. So, if doing half and half works fine, that will be the way I'll go. I've been told to add the full amount of dechlorinator desired for the entire aquarium upon each water change. I am using stress coat. Is this much necessary or just the amount desired for the "new water?"
 
There's no need to dechlor the remaining water in the tank. If you are using buckets to add water, then add dechlor to the buckets of water. If you are using a Python No Spill, then just add the dechlor a little bit at a time as its refilling. (If you don't have a Python, I strongly suggest you get one. It'll be the best investment you could make.)
Welcome to the wonderful world of Aquaria. Welcome to the board. You came to the right place. You can get help on any topic you can think of for fish and plants, or anything else concerning keeping aquariums.

Good Luck,
 
I don't have the acutal Python brand, but a Lee.

Thank you for the advice, I'm sure I'll be back many times!
 
instructions

Check the instructions on the dechlorinator. I know that Prime says to use enough to treat the entire tank volume. I don't know about Stress Coat, never used it. Generally, though, just add enough for the new water as you add the water.
 
I use stress coat when I need dechlorinator, I only use it at a single dose for the volume I'm adding at the time. Unlike prime it doesn't do anything for ammonia or other issues in the tank so there really shouldn't be any reason to add it for the whole volume.. I also don't put any faith in the hype about replenishing slime coats etc. and I know if you use stress coat at high dosage it will leave a nice film layer on top of your water. It's just a dechlorinator as far as I'm concerned and it does a good job at that for a nominal cost.
Dave
 
G'day, I normally sit my new water in buckets overnight. The chlorine will dissipate making the water easier on your fish. I still add stuff called " easy life " which is a conditioner and adds slime coat among other things.
 
I generally prep my water as well and add nothing, but there are occasions when I need more water than I have room to prep. In those cases I do use stress coat.
Dave
 
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