Water change?

danny-b

danny-b

New Member
I am going to be doing my first water change in about a week, and I need some advice on what is the best way to do it.
My LFS said I should use a "vacume" type cleaner that you hook to the faucet in your house, clean the bottom,then when you have removed the proper amount of water you turn the valve and put tap water back into the tank.
Putting the "tap" water into my tank does NOT sound like a good idea does it?
This was my plan, I was going to use the vacume thing to clean bottom and remove water, and use distilled water with the right amount of salt in it to replace what I have taken out.
My LFS has not given me very good advice in the past, and being where I live (Idaho) you don't have any choices on stores.
It is a 55 Gal. tank with 60 LBS. of live rock, Two Clowns and Two Damsels and a "clean up crew"
Thank-you all in advance
P.S. When the going gets weird the weird turn pro. HST
 
lcc

lcc

Member
What you have in mind sounds good. I would take it easy on the vacuuming the first couple of times. You can vacuum but I personally would only hit the surface lightly. What type of filter are you runnig?
I would also still add the standard conditioners.
 
fishman1

fishman1

Member
use tap water, R/O water or deionized water maker sure you check the Ph. and be sure to dechlorinate your tap water. Be sure your water temps as the tank water.
 
quoc

quoc

New Member
From what the lfs guy told you, DON'T ever listen to him again except when you need a laugh and want to hear a stupid answer.
 
dugan

dugan

Member
Er, I've gotta agree with Quoc here. Your LFS guy is giving you bad advice!
You need to mix the replacement water a day ahead of time. Use RO if you can, it's really the best.
You put the salt in and drop in a powerhead for circulation. The next day, you can vacuum the substrate if needed, remove water, and replace with the pre-mixed SW. Check the SG and temp first.
If you have a sump you can replace the water into the sump so you don't disturb the fish.
Katie
 
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