Hmmm.........Should I Change Water This Way?

[SilverDollar_03]

When I do a water change, I simply take out the water, put tap water back in, then de-chlorinate (plus other chemicals) while the new water is in the tank. Is this ok? I just thought I wouldnt be able to treat the water while its out of the tank because I thought I couldnt measure it properly, and that it would take way too long. Is my way ok? None of the fish seem to mind. And the tank parameters are all perfect!

 

[Leslie]

Personally I put the dechlorinator in first then add the water.

 

[StingrayKid]

I do a 50% water change then, add half the amount of chemicals to the tank than you do to a the whole tank, after putting in the tap water.

 

[Red]

I've been doing it the HARD way then - dechlorinating each bucketful before I tip it into the tank!

Is it really safe to bung a load of tap water into the tank, then add the dechlorinator Somebody tell me!

 

[FrankSlapperinni]

No, as chlorine can kill all of your bacteria in an instant. All you have to do is add the proper amount of dechclorinator for the amount of water you're replacing before filling the tank.

 

[StingrayKid]

I laugh because my family has this special "super" water purifier in the basement that purifies or drinking water. I use that in my tanks. It's pure water, no clhorine or nothing. I just put dechlorinator to be safe.

 

[FrankSlapperinni]

I laugh because my family has this special "super" water purifier in the basement that purifies or drinking water. I use that in my tanks. It's pure water, no clhorine or nothing. I just put dechlorinator to be safe.

My water doesn't have chlorine either. Our house gets its water from a well, so it is chemical free and mineral rich.

 

[SilverDollar_03]

hmmm....so then i shouldnt be doing it this way. i didnt know that chlorine can kill bacteria in an instant. i guess ill have to change my ways. Thanks guys, but keep giving opinions.

 

[FishDan]

Chlorine can kill your bacteria pretty quickly. However, it won't be instantaneous and it won't kill all your bacteria. Unless you are doing a massive water change. If you are changing 10-20% of your water, the chlorine gets diluted very effectively by the water still in the tank. It would be an entirely seperate issue if you added over 50% of chlorinated water to your tank. Plus, any bacteria you do kill would be in the tank iteslf. There is still a huge colony active in the filter (unless for some reason you pour your water into the filter instead of into the tank). Some of your bacteria may die, but you shouldn't experience a massive die off (and therefore a mini-cycle) if you are changing up to about 20-30% of your water at a time.

That being said, I add my dechlor first, just due to an abundance of caution. Also, I might forget it otherwise. Very often, when I top off evaporation I do not dechlor the water first. As I am putting in so little the chemicals in the water will be sufficiently dilutted by the volum already in the tank.

\Dan

 

[Shiro337]

I have tanks set up just for water changes , i just keep them filled and at the correct temp + ph + hardness , all chemicals go in there the day before i do the change.

 

[Angry_Platy]

I accidentally got some dechlor in my mouth once and it tasted nasty....I add dechlor as I add the water since then....I worry that too much dechlor and insufficient water may harm the fish!!

 

[Blusypder]

is well water really ok 4 ur fish? we have a well pump but the water smells like is has the funk.........

 

[StingrayKid]

Depends on your water I guess. My water is pretty much as pure as bottled water! B)

 

[SilverDollar_03]

oh well, i got a 2 G bucket that tells me the measurements, so ill be able to put the chemicals in before the water is in the tank now. but can i put them in the bucket just before i put it in the tank. would the dechlorinator have taken all the chlorine out by then? (i use the aquarium pharmasuticals dechlorinator stuff)

 

[piscean]

dechlorinator > h2o > tank