Is this right?

CinBos

When doing water changes: 1. Take 30% of water out, 2. Add the amount of Prime to dechlorinate ENTIRE tank, 3. Get temp right from faucet, 4. And then add the water back in straight from faucet to the tank.

Is this right?
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Boredomb

1. would probably do atleast 40-50%.
2. just need enough Prime to account for the water you add back in.
3. Temps needs to be close to the same temp as the tank.
4. Yes add straight from the faucet.

This is how I do it without any problems.

Sanguinefox

You only need to add prime to the new water going in. I know when I do weekly water changes, I add prime to a bucket 4 gallons at a time, and add enough prime to each batch just to dechlorinate that and then put it in. It comes straight from the bathtub faucet too.

It does help to agitate your batches after you put the prime in.

Nemo the Clownfish

For partial water changes, I've seen 20% a lot a lot of places. It is less stress on the fish if you do smaller water changes more frequently, like weekly. I plan to do 25% because it's a nice figure, but a hassle for calculations. If you haven't already, mark your bucket for the amount you plan to change, on the outside.

Let water run for a couple minutes if you have an older house witth lead pipes, then adjust the temperature.

Definitely agitate the water in the bucket with the Prime in it - only enough for the amount you are changing.

Add the water to the tank from the bucket.

If you have reusable filter media, wash it in water from the tank so as not to kill the the beneficial bacteria that colonize it. If you wash it in tap water it will kill the bacteria.

Steve

AbbeysDad

I think your method is just fine!
There are a couple of schools of thought on the amount of Prime to use. Some say use an amount for the entire tank volume regardless of the volume of the water change (after all it's a mere capful for 50 gallons!). Others say just use the amount for the new water being added. Since Prime can't really be overdosed, the safe method when directly filling the tank from the faucet is exactly what you are doing by adding the proper amount of Prime for the entire tank, so it's effectiveness is not diluted, then add water with hose or Python like device.
Of course, if you were filling with buckets, you'd only add the amount of Prime required for the new water being added (2 drops per gallon).

As to the volume of the weekly water change, this is another great debate. Many experts recommend 20-25% weekly. Some here feel 50% weekly is required.
Frankly the required volume of a weekly water change is really relative to the bio-load, tank maintenance and water filtration/purification.
In general, 25%-50% is a good idea, with more being slightly better than less.

In my case, I have very (too) high nitrates in my well water so I have to special filter water (or buy it!) for water changes. Using good tank maintenance and advanced water filtration/purification, I am changing 10g - 15g weekly water changes (usually 10g) on my 60g tank. This is 15% - 25%. I have been doing this for three months now with very good success...knock wood

Byron

As AD has mentioned, the specifics of the aquarium can dictate the volume and/or frequency of water changes. However, one thing that is certain is that the more water you change and the more often, the better for the fish. Provided there is no significant difference in parameters, TDS, and such.

Fish will actually be under more stress from fewer water changes, because the more water changes, the more stable the tank water will remain, and this makes it easier for the fish to maintain its homeostasis with less effort, which means less stress and healthier fish. You can read more on this in my article on stress.

Whatever the volume, the frequency should never be less than once a week.

CinBos

I do one small one of about 15 gals when i clean up the poop and mess and then i do a larger one of 30 gal at the end of the week
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