Whater changes ...Whats everyone's preferred method?

Cja313

For the last several years, When I would do a waterchange, I would do maybe 25-30% water changes in my 55 Gal tank. I would add the Decholrinator (API Stress Coat) in the appopriate amount ( for approx 15 gal of new water) directly into the tank, either just before or just after adding the new tap water.

I've heard of others who let tap water sit in a bucket for 24-48 hours and that supposidly removes the cholrine or makes it safe to use for water changes with out the Dechlorinator?

Which Method is best?

Thanks!

Geomancer

I'd always use a conditioner.

While it is true that letting water sit for 24 hours will let the Chlorine outgas, that only works for Chlorine and not for Chloramine. If your water utility suddenly switches, you may not know and could end up killing your fish.

I change between 33% and 50% each week, on my large 125g tank I use an Aqueon Water Changer (other brand name is a Python) so I can hook it up directly to the sink. I add conditioner to the tank and fill directly to the tank. On my smaller tanks I use a syphon into buckets.

jeaninel

I use a Python so I add the dechlorinator just before refilling the tank. No need to let the water sit in a bucket as the dechlorinator works instantly.

Many municipalities also use chloramines so letting the water sit in a bucket may take care of the chlorine but not chloramine. Also many dechlorinators will take care if any heavy metals the water.
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1077

+ one,
I add dechlorinator to the tank just before I add the new water with Aqueon water changer syphon.
When I used bucket's, I added the dechlorinator to the bucket's before pouring bucket's into the tank.
If your water conatain's chloramines,,then water conditioner/dechlorinator should in my view be used.
PRIME is excellent product, and cheaper in the long run than most other dechlorinator's.

Cja313

Yea I use the Python Siphon as well since it drains/and fills using the faucet and no buckets are needed. I recently bought a bottle of the PRIME as well. I was just curious as to what the advantages and disadvantages of buckets were for waterchanges. Guess I was going about it the right way after all. Thanks!

lakemalawifish

Python and Prime, the only way to go! 800 gals of tanks running is proof in the pudding ;) Be sure to match the temp of the water in tank as close as possible (some fish can tolerate up to a 2 degree difference either way but why take a chance?) Dose the Prime according to the total gallons of the tank (not the amount of water you are replacing) As freshwater is going into the tank, add your Prime.

Cja313

Wow that was mistake #1 I was making...Dosing to the Gallons I was replacing 10-15 gallons in a 55 Gallon tank, not for 55 Gal each time!! Thank You!

Geomancer

Well, people are 50/50 on that. There isn't any difinitive answer as far as I know. Some do it the way you were, others doing enough for the whole tank.

Byron

Yes, there are differing views on this. But one thing is clear, adding an amount of conditioner sufficient for the replacement water does the job without problems for the fish. And this without reference to live plants which will take some of this up anyway. Dosing for the entire tank is wasting conditioner, plus more to the point is adding double the chemicals, and even more to the point double the TDS (total dissolved solids) and these do affect fish, esp soft water fish.

lakemalawifish

Sorry to disagree with you Byron but in reference to the Prime product, I heard similar differences and called Seachem to verify. To each his own way, but I will take the manufacturer's advice :)