Another Water Change Question

[jford21]

When performing a water change, do you fill the bucket with tap water and then put in the declorinator in and let it sit for a day? Or can you put in the declorinator and then let it sit for less then an hour before dumping it in the tank? I just want to make sure the water is "purified" before I introduce it to my fish.

Or if there is another way to do this that is easier then I am definitly open to suggestions. Thank you again for your help regarding these "Rookie" questions.

[taralm13]

I just put it in the bucket then fill the bucket with water then either put the water in my tank right away or wait until I am done taking the old water out. I hope I am doing it correctly. I haven't had any problems though.

[Brhino]

yup, it works instantly.

[rich311k]

Just add and go, the stuff works just about instantly.

[Sharkman]

I usually just put a cap full of dechlorinator in the tank as I am about to fill it up with new water.

[jford21]

Thanks for your feedback

I will eventually be a freshwater expert with the help of this site

[Spardas]

Just wondering, have you ever tested your tap water straight out from tap vs what the tank is over 24 hours period?

Some tap water won't show their true pH until after a period of time. Just wondering before you go ahead with the water change.

[Brhino]

the odd pH reading is due to dissolved carbon dioxide. You're not going to pH shock your fish by adding fresh, decholorinated tap water to a tank filled with aged tank water.

[jford21]

Just wondering, have you ever tested your tap water straight out from tap vs what the tank is over 24 hours period?

Some tap water won't show their true pH until after a period of time. Just wondering before you go ahead with the water change.

Hi Spardas...I wasn't going to test the tap water until today since I was using bottled water for my first water change a week ago. I figured bottled water (spring) would be great but I've been reading everyone just uses tap water and treats it (less expensive too). But I will definitly test my tap water since I agree I need to know what parameters my tap consists of.

[Spardas]

Yep, for people with the pH swing condition; they need to age their water before they can use it.