question re: partial water changes

Michelle · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 18

What would you recommend as the easiest way when doing the partial
water changes to add the water that is as close to the tanks
temperature? Is room temperature ok since I'm only changing out 25%
at a time (30 gal)? I keep my tank at 80-82.

"Moral excellence comes about as a result of habit.
We become just by doing just acts,
temperate by doing temperate acts,
brave by doing brave acts."
~ Aristotle

Archived from group: alt>aquaria>tropical>fish>hobbist

CanadianCray · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 28

I like a python type system for this. You can adjust the water temp at the
tanks to get as close as possible then direct it to the tank.

"Michelle" wrote in message @4ax.com...
> What would you recommend as the easiest way when doing the partial
> water changes to add the water that is as close to the tanks
> temperature? Is room temperature ok since I'm only changing out 25%
> at a time (30 gal)? I keep my tank at 80-82.
>
>
>
>
> "Moral excellence comes about as a result of habit.
> We become just by doing just acts,
> temperate by doing temperate acts,
> brave by doing brave acts."
> ~ Aristotle

Dave S · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 27

FWIW - I pipe the water into a 12 gal (UK) plastic container - I add water
conditioner and nutrients - leave over-night with heating and aeration.

Dave

"Michelle" wrote in message @4ax.com...
> What would you recommend as the easiest way when doing the partial
> water changes to add the water that is as close to the tanks
> temperature? Is room temperature ok since I'm only changing out 25%
> at a time (30 gal)? I keep my tank at 80-82.
>
>
>
>
> "Moral excellence comes about as a result of habit.
> We become just by doing just acts,
> temperate by doing temperate acts,
> brave by doing brave acts."
> ~ Aristotle

justice · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 2

Michelle wrote:
> What would you recommend as the easiest way when doing the partial
> water changes to add the water that is as close to the tanks
> temperature? Is room temperature ok since I'm only changing out 25%
> at a time (30 gal)? I keep my tank at 80-82.
>
>
>
I usualy stick my hand in the tank to get a fell of the temp and adust
the taps to as close to that feel as I can get. but I onlt have 2 10gal
and 1 20 gal. I'm shure that would be harder on larger tanks as I only
change about 1-2 gal @ a time.

>
> "Moral excellence comes about as a result of habit.
> We become just by doing just acts,
> temperate by doing temperate acts,
> brave by doing brave acts."
> ~ Aristotle

Michelle · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 18

On Thu, 02 Mar 2006 17:38:29 -0800, Michelle
wrote:

>What would you recommend as the easiest way when doing the partial
>water changes to add the water that is as close to the tanks
>temperature? Is room temperature ok since I'm only changing out 25%
>at a time (30 gal)? I keep my tank at 80-82.
>
>

ok... any last words of wisdom or bits of advice? I'm going to be
doing my first partial water change in a few days. Should I vaccum
around the decor or move them out of the way?

"Moral excellence comes about as a result of habit.
We become just by doing just acts,
temperate by doing temperate acts,
brave by doing brave acts."
~ Aristotle

David · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 2

I generally fill up a bucket and get that water as close as I can to my
tank temp. I then add my cholrine remover to that bucket, and add it
to the tank.

I read the other messages in this thread, and some use the Python to
chage water. Does this add the water from the hose directly to the
tank? WHat about removing chlorine from the tap water?

Bill Stock · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 217

"Michelle" wrote in message @4ax.com...
> On Thu, 02 Mar 2006 17:38:29 -0800, Michelle
> wrote:
>
>>What would you recommend as the easiest way when doing the partial
>>water changes to add the water that is as close to the tanks
>>temperature? Is room temperature ok since I'm only changing out 25%
>>at a time (30 gal)? I keep my tank at 80-82.
>>
>>
>
>
> ok... any last words of wisdom or bits of advice? I'm going to be
> doing my first partial water change in a few days. Should I vaccum
> around the decor or move them out of the way?
>

You'll probably want to move them, but perhaps not every time.

As for the water change question. I try to keep my temp within 1° F during
water changes. You're talking about dropping the temp about 4° F in a short
period of time. I use a Python and adjust the tap water as close as possible
to the tank temp. But my water changes are closer to 50%, so the temp
matters even more. You might also consider adding your water back in two
batches, and letting the tank reheat between batches. Your temp would only
change about 2° that way.

> "Moral excellence comes about as a result of habit.
> We become just by doing just acts,
> temperate by doing temperate acts,
> brave by doing brave acts."
> ~ Aristotle

Michelle · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 18

On 4 Mar 2006 12:53:26 -0800, "David" wrote:

>I generally fill up a bucket and get that water as close as I can to my
>tank temp. I then add my cholrine remover to that bucket, and add it
>to the tank.
>
>I read the other messages in this thread, and some use the Python to
>chage water. Does this add the water from the hose directly to the
>tank? WHat about removing chlorine from the tap water?

That was my question about the python too. I looked at a couple of
sites and didn't get an answer.

I think I'm going to get an extra floating thermometer for my bucket
and try and adjust the temp as best I can.

"Moral excellence comes about as a result of habit.
We become just by doing just acts,
temperate by doing temperate acts,
brave by doing brave acts."
~ Aristotle

Doug Brown · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 4

try looking here - http://www.pythonproducts.com/help.htm

depending upon the amount of water you are changing and the quality if your
tap water I often find that the use of conditioners and chlorine removers is
vastly overstated. If all you are doing is a 5% - 10% water change and
your tap water is potable you should not need to worry about chlorine or
chloramine removers. That is not to say that they do not work, most of them
do, but when doing partial water changes I have not been convinced that they
are necessary.
"Michelle" wrote in message @4ax.com...
> On 4 Mar 2006 12:53:26 -0800, "David" wrote:
>
>>I generally fill up a bucket and get that water as close as I can to my
>>tank temp. I then add my cholrine remover to that bucket, and add it
>>to the tank.
>>
>>I read the other messages in this thread, and some use the Python to
>>chage water. Does this add the water from the hose directly to the
>>tank? WHat about removing chlorine from the tap water?
>
>
> That was my question about the python too. I looked at a couple of
> sites and didn't get an answer.
>
> I think I'm going to get an extra floating thermometer for my bucket
> and try and adjust the temp as best I can.
>
>
>
>
> "Moral excellence comes about as a result of habit.
> We become just by doing just acts,
> temperate by doing temperate acts,
> brave by doing brave acts."
> ~ Aristotle

Bill Stock · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 217

"David" wrote in message @t39g2000cwt.googlegroups.com...
>I generally fill up a bucket and get that water as close as I can to my
> tank temp. I then add my cholrine remover to that bucket, and add it
> to the tank.
>
> I read the other messages in this thread, and some use the Python to
> chage water. Does this add the water from the hose directly to the
> tank? WHat about removing chlorine from the tap water?

It's pretty common to add the dechlorinator to the tank and then add the
water directly to the tank.

Bill Stock · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 217

"Michelle" wrote in message @4ax.com...
> On 4 Mar 2006 12:53:26 -0800, "David" wrote:
>
>>I generally fill up a bucket and get that water as close as I can to my
>>tank temp. I then add my cholrine remover to that bucket, and add it
>>to the tank.
>>
>>I read the other messages in this thread, and some use the Python to
>>chage water. Does this add the water from the hose directly to the
>>tank? WHat about removing chlorine from the tap water?
>
>
> That was my question about the python too. I looked at a couple of
> sites and didn't get an answer.
>
> I think I'm going to get an extra floating thermometer for my bucket
> and try and adjust the temp as best I can.

I should have mentioned, that my ten gallon tank is too far from a water tap
for the current Python to reach. So I just fill a 5 gallon bucket in the
bathtub with water about 78°.

>
> "Moral excellence comes about as a result of habit.
> We become just by doing just acts,
> temperate by doing temperate acts,
> brave by doing brave acts."
> ~ Aristotle

Michelle · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 18

On Sat, 4 Mar 2006 15:28:29 -0600, "Doug Brown"
wrote:

>try looking here - http://www.pythonproducts.com/help.htm
>
>depending upon the amount of water you are changing and the quality if your
>tap water I often find that the use of conditioners and chlorine removers is
>vastly overstated. If all you are doing is a 5% - 10% water change and
>your tap water is potable you should not need to worry about chlorine or
>chloramine removers. That is not to say that they do not work, most of them
>do, but when doing partial water changes I have not been convinced that they
>are necessary.

Well, I've ordered the python, hopefully it should be here in a week
or so.

Also, my ex is a environmental chemist. I'm going to ask him to test
my tap water. What all should I ask him to look for? I'll post the
results when I get them.

"Moral excellence comes about as a result of habit.
We become just by doing just acts,
temperate by doing temperate acts,
brave by doing brave acts."
~ Aristotle

Michelle · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 18

On Thu, 9 Mar 2006 17:46:17 -0600, "Doug Brown"
wrote:

>Depending upon where/how you get your water, your local government should
>provide you with complete info.

key word there is should... and actually, I think I'd prefer my own
analysis, that way I know its not "improved" upon in any way... gosh,
I'm starting to sound paranoid. Sad

"Moral excellence comes about as a result of habit.
We become just by doing just acts,
temperate by doing temperate acts,
brave by doing brave acts."
~ Aristotle

Doug Brown · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 4

Depending upon where/how you get your water, your local government should
provide you with complete info.
"Michelle" wrote in message @4ax.com...
> On Sat, 4 Mar 2006 15:28:29 -0600, "Doug Brown"
> wrote:
>
>>try looking here - http://www.pythonproducts.com/help.htm
>>
>>depending upon the amount of water you are changing and the quality if
>>your
>>tap water I often find that the use of conditioners and chlorine removers
>>is
>>vastly overstated. If all you are doing is a 5% - 10% water change and
>>your tap water is potable you should not need to worry about chlorine or
>>chloramine removers. That is not to say that they do not work, most of
>>them
>>do, but when doing partial water changes I have not been convinced that
>>they
>>are necessary.
>
>
> Well, I've ordered the python, hopefully it should be here in a week
> or so.
>
> Also, my ex is a environmental chemist. I'm going to ask him to test
> my tap water. What all should I ask him to look for? I'll post the
> results when I get them.
>
>
>
>
> "Moral excellence comes about as a result of habit.
> We become just by doing just acts,
> temperate by doing temperate acts,
> brave by doing brave acts."
> ~ Aristotle