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scighera
Guest
Just wounder what the best way to do a water change and if it is wise that I'm storing water from my tank to add when it gets low.
lion_crazz
Active Member
The best way to do a water change is to determine how much water you will be taking out of the tank, and then days before you are going to do the water change, set aside that many gallons in a new trash can or barrel. Make sure the salinity in the trash can is the same as the salinity in your tank. Also, get a cheap heater and powerhead to throw in the trash can as well. Some people skip putting a powerhead in there for water flow, but I would absolutely have a heater. The water you are going to be putting in the tank must be the SAME as the water in your tank. Quick, drastic temperature increase or decrease is the easiest way for a fish to get ich, thus, you want to be sure both temperatures are identical.
Also, what kind of water is it that you will be storing, how long do you plan to store it, and where are you storing it? The only water you add to your tank when it is low (from evaporation) is fresh water (water without salt in it). I would recommend getting RO water to store for top off water, but that's just my opinion. Like in your water change scenario, if you will be storing it for a long time, I would get a heater and powerhead here as well.
Also, what kind of water is it that you will be storing, how long do you plan to store it, and where are you storing it? The only water you add to your tank when it is low (from evaporation) is fresh water (water without salt in it). I would recommend getting RO water to store for top off water, but that's just my opinion. Like in your water change scenario, if you will be storing it for a long time, I would get a heater and powerhead here as well.
fshhub
Active Member
Originally posted by Scighera
and if it is wise that I'm storing water from my tank to add when it gets low.
lion pretty well said it, and to answer this one a little better
use only fresh water, to replenish your evaporation. when evaporates, the salt does not go witht hte water. so, adding saltwater at this time would only raise your salinity
doublezero
Member
Should you heat the topoff water?
thanks
:notsure:
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thanks
:notsure:
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boomper
Member
It depens on how much you are topping off (which relates to tank size). If you have a small tank or are just topping off a little bit, I personally would not worry about it. However, as with anything in this hobby, keeping steady levels greatly helps the situation. If you have the time and resources, it will definately not hurt to get your top off water temp to the same as the tank.
doublezero
Member
Thanks Boomper,
I have a 55g that requires about 0.75 g topoff every two days.. I have no fish yet as I am near the end of the cycle and I have been trying to gauge how much water for topoff I would need to maintain a steady salinity level and I never thought about the temperature...
thanks again..
#00
I have a 55g that requires about 0.75 g topoff every two days.. I have no fish yet as I am near the end of the cycle and I have been trying to gauge how much water for topoff I would need to maintain a steady salinity level and I never thought about the temperature...
thanks again..
#00