Easiest Way To Do A Water Change

ciliatus · January 7th, 2009

Okay, so usually I vacuum gravel/water change every couple of weeks on my established tanks, however my parents are redoing the upstairs bathroom and therefore I have no sink to hook my Python up to (and no other sinks will fit it)

My question is... what is the easiest, most efficient way to do a water change? I used to just use a pale, but was wondering if there is a better way?

I just did a 50% water change on my 37 gallon on Friday? because the nitrates are out of control. I tested the water again today and brought it to be tested to double check and the ammonia, nitrates, nitrites, etc are still very high. I added some ammonia remover and nitrate, nitrite, chlorine, chloramine remover today to hopefully help. How do I get those under control? More water changes until it is better? Usually it's fine, but without a sink, I hadn't been able to do a WC in a couple months and everything got really high.

How much water should I remove on my tanks and how often should I remove it? How much water and how often should I remove it on my tanks where the nitrates, etc are very high?

Thank you.

ciliatus · January 7th, 2009

Also, would conditioning salt affect the nitrates, nitrites, ammonia, etc at all? I add it when I do water changes, and usually just pour it in, but I just read a thread saying its better to dilute/dissolve it first, so I'm going to start doing that asap. Luckily my fish haven't been noticeably harmed by it in the past.

Shawnie · January 7th, 2009

salt will mess up a cycle so that as well as no clean water could have set you into a mini cycle....daily water changes are a must with ammonia and nitrites..do not use something to lock up the ammonia or you will always have a cycle going on..you need the ammonia available to finish it up ..so some prime or stress coat + makes it non toxic for 24 hours until your next water change but stil keeps it avail for the process....if you cant get the python to work, (ive always had to use buckets as the python wont fit my sinks) you have to find another way even if its with your pails...goodluck! and welcome to the "back breaking daily chores" of water changing

Lucy · January 7th, 2009

If your ammonia nitrites and nitrates are out of control, looks like you went into a mini cycle.
50% daily changes are in order until the parameters are back in check.
Adding ammonia remover will starve the bacteria needed to process the ammonia naturally. You'd be best to use a water conditioner like Prime that'll detox it make still make it available to the bacteria.

With out the python, a gravel vacuum and buckets would be the easier way to chnage the water.

Good luck.

ciliatus · January 7th, 2009

okay thanks for the advice. ill definitely do that.

Lucy · January 7th, 2009

Good luck and keep us posted.

Fullofit343 · January 7th, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by ciliatus

Okay, so usually I vacuum gravel/water change every couple of weeks on my established tanks, however my parents are redoing the upstairs bathroom and therefore I have no sink to hook my Python up to (and no other sinks will fit it)

My question is... what is the easiest, most efficient way to do a water change? I used to just use a pale, but was wondering if there is a better way?

I just did a 50% water change on my 37 gallon on Friday? because the nitrates are out of control. I tested the water again today and brought it to be tested to double check and the ammonia, nitrates, nitrites, etc are still very high. I added some ammonia remover and nitrate, nitrite, chlorine, chloramine remover today to hopefully help. How do I get those under control? More water changes until it is better? Usually it's fine, but without a sink, I hadn't been able to do a WC in a couple months and everything got really high.

How much water should I remove on my tanks and how often should I remove it? How much water and how often should I remove it on my tanks where the nitrates, etc are very high?

Thank you.

I have a question. When you normally do it with your python you pour the water straight from the sink to the tank? don't you have to condition it first? sorry i'm new at this whole thing

ciliatus · January 8th, 2009

yes i condition it, pour it into the stream as it enters the tank.

Toxic · January 10th, 2009

I never trusted the water when I poured untreated water directly into a tank with fish. I use a 5 gallon water cooler bottle (I know its heavy when full) I use this bottle to catch the old water when doing my cleaning also. It makes adding water easy for me.

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