Adding small bits of water?

[Spurs87]

I have tried a new way with no substrate so clear bottom and when I vacuum the excess waste I obviously lose water what’s best way of replacing this water without just filling from the tap?

 

[Uberhoust]

Usually most of us use the vacuuming of the substrate or bottom of the tank as an opportunity to change the water, so we add new, and dechlorinated, water back to the tank. I am a heavy water changer and replace 50 to 70 percent of my water every 1 to 2 weeks. For me I put the de-chlorinator directly into the remaining water of the tank and put the temperature adjusted water from the tap directly into the aquarium, this method usually requires more de-chlorination, for example I put 70 gallons worth of water treatment into the aquarium before filling the missing 40 gallons (my main tank is 75 gallons). Alternatively you can pre-mix your water in buckets or other containers then place that water into the tank. When using this method you treat the volume of the container not the tank.

To summarize, you treat the whole tank volume when filling directly from the tap. When using containers you only treat only the volume of the container. There is some debate which method is best but for me I have been adding the water to the tank for years.

When the water is treated with chlorine only you can age the water for a while before using it, de-gasses the chlorine out, but if your water is treated with chloramine, you cannot age the disinfectant out of the water, and you must use some form of water treatment. I don't use this method because storing 40 gallons of water is problematic.

 

[Spurs87]

Yeah I kind of new this I just went with a clear bottom as seen a few things on YouTube and some so called experts recommended it but I think I’m going to add stones and like you say vacuum when doing water changes appreciate the reply thank you

 

[Uberhoust]

I looked at your introductory post. I would suspect that you are going to be changing a fair bit of water with the fish you have.

 

[Spurs87]

Yeah I’ve been advised between once a week and 10 days which I guess is pretty normal right?

 

[Uberhoust]

Sounds about right. Of course, this can get complicated if your water is not appropriate for the fish you keep. I have very soft medium pH water from my tap so I keep fish that prefer soft water. If your water is not appropriate then you may need to go to reverse osmosis water or alternatively add minerals to your water (or a combination of both), mixing water is a pain I try to avoid. I don't really know what your fish need, but I think the Oscars are on the softer water, lower pH side, but they may also be more of a middle of the road type fish.

 

[Spurs87]

Yeah I’ll always test the water weekly and have stuff I can add if needed also have stuff to add to my water when doing water changes I’m always asking my local aquarium shop advise so this should keep me in good shape

 

[Uberhoust]

Local fish stores, lfs, vary greatly on the quality of the advice they give. Just be cautious and confirm what they say independently. I have had a well respected fish store give poor advice, though generally they are better than the big box stores. You can find examples in this forum where the stores have given poor advice to ensure a sale.