Llama

My source water comes from a well, and as a result its 10-15 degrees C , so I'm a bit unsure whether its a good idea to toss water that cold into the aquarium tank.

Now I have 2 10-liter buckets, and I'm planning on changing 20 liters each PWC.

So the idea I have is : Fill bucket 1 with well water and buy a small heater (what wattage do you suggest it to be?) and warm it up till its 24 degrees C. Then I empty out 20 liters of water (2 buckets) from the aquarium, and then replace with the bucket of warm water. I'll then leave the aquarium with 10 litres of water missing and wait until I warm up the other bucket - that way I won't produce too much of a water temperature shock.

Good idea?

Amanda

Is there no way to adjust the temp. of the water from the tap?

Llama

Nope, all the system is is a pump getting water up from the well in the yard, no heater or anything else. Is the heater in the bucket a good idea? Shops close soon so was planning on running quickly and buying it.

Amanda

Yeah, it's a good idea.

Jonah

A 50 watt should be fine in a bucket that small, or even a 25, but surely in Malta you could just let the water stand for a few hours to warm up?

Llama

Sure its hot already, but we're not a desert just yet

And I don't want to deprive my tank of 10 litres of water for a few hours.

I'll go off and buy a small heater, see what I can find.

Llama

Right, bought an inexpensive goldfish bowl heater (rated for up to 20l), its slim and meant to be hidden under gravel, so I guess I'll give it a try.

Amanda

Let us know how it turns out.

aquarist48

It's always good to get the new water to the same temperature as the tank water. (or as close as possible). I actually have a 29g that I use just to treat the water and filter it, warm it, for my water changes. It's a little extra work but for my peace of mind and my fishes health, it's worth it.

Llama

Allright, after leaving the water for a few hours, I managed to get it up to 20 degrees.

Its not as much as I wanted, but its far better than the 13 degrees it was before.

Guess I should have gone for a higher wattage.

On an unrelated note: The fish aren't scared of the gravel vac for some reason, one of them almost nibbled my hand...

hssea

Couldn't he start by adding a little at a time, waiting about 15 minutes to add more. Then the heater could be heating the bucket of water faster IMO

Llama

Hmm that's a good idea... but I think it'd take ages, its only 20 litres water change anyway

Shawnie

whats the temp of your tank normally? as long as its within 1-4 degrees the same, you should be fine ....i so envy you fish keepers who still do so much for your fishies without the luxury of heated tap water and other things some of us take for granite

Llama

My tank is usually at 24 degrees celcius.

So the shock won't be too big, but the day I changed 30% of the water it dropped by 5 degrees and I nearly panicked.