Water Changes

[modernhamlet]

My boiler is the first one where it keeps the water and heats it up.
Guess i need to go back to the kettle again then *sighs*

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Here in the US, most homes have hot water tanks that work that way. Pertty much every place I've lived has, that's for sure. I've never heard of hot water from these tanks being fundamentally bad for fish. If that was the case, there would be a lot more dead fish wouldn't there? Are hot water tanks different in the UK than in the US? Do you guys line them with lead or something?!

 

[Durbkat]

When I do vacum cleanings after the dirty water and junk is taken out with the cleaner I just fill the tank which has no fish in ( I take them out when I clean) with water that has set for a day and fill the tank up I don't try and match temps. I let the heater do that part and once the water has warmed up I put the fish back in.

 

[spanishguy111]

I personally say get a bigger bucket, and a second heater.

I've had better luck using cold water heated up than warm water straight from my tap personally.

Like, heating water 16F +/- isn't going to take super long- even in a ten gallon bucket. Just get a powerful heater like a 250W. Get something wonky like a Hydor Theo. It sucks for tanks because it runs too hot and can burn fish (stupid italians) but it will heat your bucket of water inside an hour guaranteeeeed. Especially the higher wattage ones.

 

[@ombomb]

Are hot water tanks different in the UK than in the US? Do you guys line them with lead or something?!

I think they're generally made from copper, as are the water pipes, so could be harmful. Also there is always a buikd up if limescale etc etc. When I had my combi boiler fitted the gunk in the old system had to be seen to be believed...

 

[black angel]

My boiler is copper as are the pipes.

 

[annka5]

I think copper is pretty much standard. It will gradually leach into the water, esp if its hot water sitting in a tank for a few hours! However, it won't cause your fish to immediately die, most likely it will SLOWLY (over months/years) poison them, reducing their life expectancy and general health.
You therefore might not really know the damage the hot-water-tap water is doing, as the effect would be so long after the exposure.

 

[qvx91977]

Whats a good dechlorinator to get?

 

[Bloo]

Whats a good dechlorinator to get?

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depends on the country you are in. In the UK one of the most popular and best, is "Stress Coat".

If you want to see some reviews for UK products, check out this article

 

[dwarfgourami]

When I do vacum cleanings after the dirty water and junk is taken out with the cleaner I just fill the tank which has no fish in ( I take them out when I clean) with water that has set for a day and fill the tank up I don't try and match temps. I let the heater do that part and once the water has warmed up I put the fish back in.

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Please note that this method of removing fish during water changes is NOT one that most fishkeepers would recommend; this has been discussed in another thread.