Water changes, How to?

[robert18]

I was wondering if the way I am doing my water changes is not the right way. I have a python hose connected to my kitchen faucet and I drain the water that way then I just turn the knob on the connector and shoot water thru the hose into the tank, I add water conditioner and i try to match the water temp. I this ok or should i mix the water with conditioner first in a seperate container and then add it. Please let me know.

[Sir Tristen]

As long as you are matching the temp and adding the conditioner, you are doing exactly what the python was designed to do. There has been some debate as to weather you need to add conditioner for the full volume of the tank each time or just for the water added. Somebody with a little more experience might be able to give you better advice, because I can see both sides of the argument.

[NickFish]

It is preferred to mix your water in a seperate container. That is not up for debate, ok, its a fact.

The debate however, what the effects and the downsides, if any, of mixing water directly into the tank is.

Fish being exposed to those levels of chlorine, even for a short time, can and will wear away at the slime coat of the fish, but just barely. It certainly isn't fatal for the fish, obviously, the slime coat will be very slightly unnoticably damaged but will repair very quickly.

This is only a problem with fish who's slime coat is already very thin. A fish stressed from a move for example.

I always, always use buckets. I have a 125g tank and I use 5g buckets. When I get my 460g set up, I'll use 5g buckets. I just line em up. I have about a dozen 5 gallon bucket, I can keep my gravel vac's syphon going and just move the tube from bucket to bucket, and I can put whatever I want in each individual bucket.

In conclusion (I feel like I'm writing a thesis sometimes here), it is always preferred to mix your water in a seperate bucket. However, putting water directly into the tank is not going to be the difference between life and death for your fish. It could be stressful on fish that are already a little ticked off. If you don't keep very sensitive fish, and you have all established, healthy stock, you don't mix additional additives like fertilizers, RO water, or buffers, and you feel like you don't want to spend the extra time doing the bucket method, by all means go ahead and use a python. It isn't ideal but it sure isn't a major concern.

-Nick

[Red]

I have about 20 5 g buckets around the house. 10 for cleaning (dirty) and 10 for letting water sit. I have many animals, which means i get a lot of hair. I just take a plastic bag (like form jewel or walmart) and put it over the top to prevent spilling or hair in the bucket, and then i still add conditioner.

[robert18]

Thanks for the quick responses, I have a few (2 or 3) buckets so i guess i'll have to get more if I decid eto switch to the bucket way, I have always beem thinking about getting a plastic trash can and putting it in my garage and just run a pump with a hose to the tank, with conditioner how long should the water sit before adding to teh tank, if its just a few mins then I guess the trash can idea would be pointless.

[Lady Hobbs]

I add as I fill and I always do 50% water change adding enough dechlorinator for the whole tank.

[Northernguy]

Lots of people with pythons add dechlorinator than water.
I do it the old fashioned way,buckets and lots of them.I am picky about how I add chemicals and I can be certain the water is the right temp,But thats me.

[BigMac]

Im a bucket guy too.

I wont put water directly in my tank from the faucet.

[MrDrums]

I have always had well water, treated due to high iron content. I also use the python via the kitchen sink. I do a 25% WC or so every ten days, fill it right up, no buckets. Then I add Stress Coat & Stress Zyme after that, though I probably don't need both of those at all (as well water has no chlorine). Been doing it that way for a dozen or so years, have never had any problems. I have never used buckets, and I have a feeling that if I did, I'd either never ever do a water change or give up the hobby entirely!:c3:

[Veloth]

I do a 50% every Saturday on all four tanks. Just match the temp straight from the faucet(well water) add nothing else.
Mike

[Orion]

I've seen and had so many discussions on this subject I can't even count them all. I think alot more is made of this than really is warranted. I've been doing the python method right from the sink for close to 5 years and I add my declorinators into the tube and then reconnect to the faucet and let it flow matching the temp as best I can by touch alone. The temp will not fluctuate to any great degree if it "feels" close on a 1/3 water change. Certainly not enough degrees to cause any harm. Unless of course you have some really dysfunctional skin receptors. LOL.

And unless you pH is way different than what's in the tank, you should be ok with that as well. I would say give the python a shot as it is sooooo much easier than bucketing. If it works and you see no ill effects, don't even worry about it.

[MrDrums]

Yeah you don't have to be so precise on the temp thing.....water temp and even ph will fluctuate naturally all the time in the wild.

[NickFish]

Yeah you don't have to be so precise on the temp thing.....water temp and even ph will fluctuate naturally all the time in the wild.

And normally in the wild large predators will try to eat all your fish. But we don't like to replicate that in aquariums.

We only replicate the good stuff.
PH may change occasionally, and temperature too, but surely not as fast as a messed up water change can do. And why put our fish through additional stress? We know that sudden water parameter changes are stressful for fish. Why not leave it at that?

[kaybee]

It is preferred to mix your water in a seperate container. That is not up for debate, ok, its a fact.

Very debatable statement there. :)

[Orion]

Very debatable statement there. :)


Agreed. The only way such a thing could be stated as fact was if there was a large experiment conducted over a number of years with groups of fish given water changes one way and the other. Results to be collected as to what the lasting long term effects were proven to be because of such methods. Insofar as I know, no such study has ever been conducted. Therefore, with no controlled experiment to substantiate what is better, this will always be opinion.

[MrDrums]

I often put big predators in my tank, just to shake things up. I also fluctuate the temp. in water changes to the extreme, so the fish can build up a tolerance. If they can't take it, then I have succeeded in weeding out the weak. What's wrong with that?!?!?!????? Who doesn't do that???? Sheesh.....

[bushwhacker]

i can only add that over 25 years of fish keeping from tetras and guppies to SA and african cichlids i've pretty much always used a python or something similar

[MrDrums]

Yes, they do just fine, no buckets needed....WC done in a fraction of the time, and no spills.

[Allecto]

Here, before using any of our tap water for my plants or snakes or anything, I age it in jugs first. I would do the same if I had any aquariums up and running currently, even though that would make it a lot more difficult to match the temps.

My main reason for doing this is that my water district uses insane amounts of chlorine, and it is pretty quick and easy to let it air out. I consider it safe to use when the nook they age in no longer smells like a swimming pool.

When I was running my aquariums, I preferred to treat the water in buckets first, but maybe that is just because I am a control freak when it comes to my pets' environments. I'd rather convince myself it is okay and then add it, as opposed to adding it and then trying to make it ok.

I have nothing against those with enough experience and confidence in themselves to send it straight to the tank and then treat it, though. It has got to be a lot more sensible for those with giant tanks.

[kaybee]

...My main reason for doing this is that my water district uses insane amounts of chlorine, and it is pretty quick and easy to let it air out...

Good point...not all tap water is the same. What works for one person may not be the thing to do for another.