Water Change Water Prep

[terryf]

One of the biggest pains of a water change seems to be trying to get the new water to the same temperature as the aquarium temp. Anyone out there have any great ideas other than filling 5 gallon buckets with DI/RO water and placing a heater in it until the temp is right?

 

[goofieones]

I use a 30 gal. garbage can (new of course) and leave it running with a pump for like a day to get it to room temp, then I still usually have to use a heater. Really don't know what else to do.

 

[mr . salty]

I really don't think it is as important that the temp be exact.Say you are putting five gallons of new water into a 90 gallon tank.It would have to be ice cold for it to make any diference in the tanks temp.I just leave it so it is at room temp when I used to do water changes.That allways worked for me.

 

[nm reef]

Mr. Salty is probably right....still I add a heater to my water....I use a 50 gal trash can(new).......and I use a old power filter to circulate along with a pump and wodden air stone.......usually prepare mine a few days in advance......sg is exact to tank and I try to get temp+/- 2-5 degrees....don't really worry all that much about exact temp...just close

 

[mr . salty]

The salinity and PH ARE much more important.

 

[terryf]

Thanks you guys. By the way, Mr. Salty, what do you mean "use to do water changes"? Did you stop?

 

[hermitcrab]

I plug out all return pumps on my sump and add the "new" water to the sump. Since I have everything there, including my heater, I just have to wait till the term. light goes off, thereby adjusting to the correct temp, and by then I will turn on all my return pumps. I think my fishes and inverts liked the idea.
[ July 17, 2001: Message edited by: HermitCrab ]

 

[playtime]

I am not Mr. Salty but I know that he is one of the lucky ones. He doesn't have to do water changes anymore.
As for myself, I do them biweekly. my tanks are small so I need only do a 5gal change. I use a yosimite water bottle, mix the salt and add a heater the next morning. I never worry too much about getting the temp exact, as long as the levels are right and the water isn't freezing. My tanks have been great. SO FAR!!
playtime

 

[flydan]

Hey,
I've done the heater in the bucket trick, but I just read that you can nuke a small amount of water in the ol' microwave and then mixed it into the bucket. His only warning was NOT to let the water boil. HTH
Take care,
Dan'l