Water changes

[LanceP]

When it comes to changing the water on a weekly basis. I know ordinary tap water is not preferred, but I don't know why. I've always changed my water directly from the tap and things are relatively okay. I haven't lost any fish (except the Discus that were stressed by the convict cichlids) in the last 5 months

By leaving it overnight and dechlorinating it, what purpose does this immediately serve? Or is it a matter of the fish just lasting longer?

[Singularity]

by aerating overnight or maybe even a couple of days you ensure that the pH of the water is stable when you add it to the tank.

[solex69]

Quite right

I, on the other hand, just add the water straight from the tap to my tanks without any problems. I don't even use any more chemicals to treat the water (unless I'm breeding with my fish of course)....I'm yet to encounter a problem with this. (PS - I know I'm not the only person doing this :) )

[candym0m]

I wasn't aware that the water should stand overnight before being added to the tank... Thanks! I just learnt another useful thing :)
As for pouring the water in straight from the tap... South Africa's water system is seriously screwed at the moment! (test it and you'll see) I wouldn't recommend adding water straight from the tap. I would first treat the water, let it stand overnight (now that I know of this useful titbit) and THEN add it to the tank.

[LiftCrazy*]

I use a hand shower to fill my water change bucket at high velocity (water for topping off the tank), this, according to a few tips i read online, helps outgass the water. I then treat with dechlor and add slowly to the tank (Pouring in at the filter intake)

[Bobeyente]

Mmmmmmmkay, try this I mix hot and cold water to match the current temp of the tank add treatment and fill again. I have kept fish for 2 decades and never lost a fish due to a water change. The only fish that requires more tact is apistogramma, my oscars get the hosepipe on a hot afternoon.

My old man used to stand water for 24hrs and top up, he never used any treatments on tap water ever.

[Henk Hugo]

do NOT ever use hotwater to fill your tank as the hot water disolves copper from the geyser and pipes into your tank....

[LanceP]

How about filtering the tap water through those household filters? Does that help?

[Henk Hugo]

you mean the carbon filters or the RO filters?

[LanceP]

Ummm I don't know what's in it.:bigsmile:

Those Brita filters I think. I guess those are the carbon ones?

[Bobeyente]

do NOT ever use hotwater to fill your tank as the hot water disolves copper from the geyser and pipes into your tank....

I have heard that b4 however Copper only oxidizes with a low ph water and that relates to old houses only Henk.

[Henk Hugo]

chat to prof Belstedt.... he gave me the full explination the other day....

[candym0m]

LanceP, I know what you mean... The normal filters used for our drinking water. I'm sure that would be fine - maybe test it first?

On that note: what type of test kit should I use for my tank? (14L square tank) I'm always so confused when I walk into these pet stores... there's just so much to choose from!

[candym0m]

I have to agree with the hot water thing... My husband is a plumber and you do not want to use, or drink water from a hot tap. The heat erodes the pipes and gets into the water... (gross!)