How to make Water changes.

[nae301]

I recently purchased a 50 gallon aquarium which is much larger than my current 14 gallon aquarium. I know that a 25% water change in a 50 is not a significant amount compared to a 125 or larger aquarium. However, compared to my three and a half gallons I change from my 14, 13 gallons is quite a step up. That would be three trips with a bucket which I don't mind at all. It just seems quite wasteful with the water. Having to turn the water on, wait until I get the temperature to match what it is in the tank, put in the chemicals, fill the bucket, turn the water off, pour in to the aquarium and do that two more times. It seems like a lot of water going right down the drain while I wait for the temperature.

I know about the python and how it works. What I don't understand is putting the water back in. How do I add the water conditioner? It says to add to the stream of water going into the aquarium, but it's such a small amount to spread out evenly over the time it takes to refill the aquarium. I know I should add it before any of the untreated water gets into the aquarium. Do I add just enough for the water that is going back in? (ie the 13 or so gallons) Or, do I treat the entire aquarium? Which again seems wasteful.

Please give me some of your sage advice. I hope this isn't one of those "there's no such thing as a stupid question, just stupid people" kind of questions.

-N.A.E.

[Northernguy]

When refilling your tank with a python its best to turn off your filters,add the neccesary amount of dechlorinator and fill the tank.Wait 1/2hr and turn the filters back on.

[-Lp]

I dose for most of the tank when refilling with my python.

[aspects]

just add the replacement ammount of dechlor to the tank, and fill with the python. The water dumping into the tank and the filter(s) will mix and distribute the dechlor.

As far as temperature matching. Unless your water is ice cold, I wouldn't worry too much about it. Just add in the water and yur heaters will bring it up to temp.

[Northernguy]

It doesn't hurt to have your filters off.Its best not to get chlorinated water in your filters.
I have given my tank ich with the hose because the water became ice cold and I didn't notice.Keeping the temps close is wise.

[nae301]

I live in Minnesota and right now the water out of the tap is about 38-40 at the warmest unless I water from the hotwater heater. Thanks for all of your advice.

[aspects]

It would Have to be a pretty major temperature change to have any ill effects. Frankly, 25% WC from your tap should not make a significant difference in the overall tank temperature unless your tap is almost literally ice cold. However, if for whatever reason, you are doing a much larger WC, you may want to let the water sit for a while at least until its room temperature..
Remember. In the wild, fish experience temperature changes all the time. Between the ambiant temperature changes seasonally or just at night, to simple rainfall.

For larger WC, I usually dump the water into a large rubbermaid tub and add a couple of heaters and a powerhead. Let it sit until its up to temp, then use a return pump to pump the water from the run to the aquarium.

[souly]

When I fill up my water, i make it sligtly warm, not even LUKE warm. But ice cold. It pretty much comes out about the same as the tank heating it.

[Shaysfishys]

With my water changes depends on which/who's tank it is, with my discus I'm very careful as to get the water as close to temp as possible, and the fry tanks fall under this category.
Others that I'm trying to trick them into thinking its the rainy season for breeding/spawning their tanks are topped off with cool water almost cold.

I've lived here long enough that water changes are fairly easy, the water test's the same pretty much all the time varies quite little one of the reasons I don't keep many africans.

As far as chlorination can't remember where I read it but someone used the car wash hose filter attachment (I'll think of the name only on the first cup of coffee) and after using it tested the water on many levels for purity and such found that it did a great job.