You need to flush water through the hose for a couple of minutes before using it, every time you use it for the fish.
You should do this for any hose and any time you want water for the fish tank.
Using an older garden hose is actually safer than using a new hose because the older hoses have less of the softening agent in them. The softening agent leaches out over time and after a period of time (2-10 years depending on brand) the softening agent is no longer released because there is none left. When this happens the hoses start to become hard and kink instead of staying soft and flexible.
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The small amount of boiling water will still have some nitrates in, but you will only be adding a small amount so it won't affect the fish that much.
If you let the water stand in the house for 24 hours before using it (like Seangee does), then you won't need to add boiling water to warm it up.
You should do this for any hose and any time you want water for the fish tank.
Using an older garden hose is actually safer than using a new hose because the older hoses have less of the softening agent in them. The softening agent leaches out over time and after a period of time (2-10 years depending on brand) the softening agent is no longer released because there is none left. When this happens the hoses start to become hard and kink instead of staying soft and flexible.
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The small amount of boiling water will still have some nitrates in, but you will only be adding a small amount so it won't affect the fish that much.
If you let the water stand in the house for 24 hours before using it (like Seangee does), then you won't need to add boiling water to warm it up.
