Aquarium Cleaning; Reasons and Methods for Water Changes
Jan 22, 2020 14:13:06 GMT -5
devonjohnsgard likes this
Post by Carl on Jan 22, 2020 14:13:06 GMT -5
I've updated the "Aquarium Cleaning; Reasons and Methods for Water Changes" article
www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Aquarium_cleaning.html
HERE IS AN EXCERPT:
"Add water back slowly, and if tap water is used make sure the temperature is similar to the aquarium water already present in the aquarium, you can generally safely add warm tap water to correct this.
Although in the Marine aquariums I maintained, I brought my own water and it was invariably colder than the aquarium, but this does not present as much of a problem as many think. If you do some math; Say your aquarium is 78 F and you add 20% water back that is 68 F, that is 1/5th the volume, so 1/5th of a 10 F difference is only 2 F.
If hot water is needed, this is best added to a bucket of non heated water from whatever source so as to not accidentally scald/burn fish pouring directly into the aquarium.
This said, beware of internet myths stating you should never heat water in a microwave for an aquarium. I've done this MANY times over the years, primarily in offices with no other source for hot water.
The problem is not how the water is heated, rather the direct pouring of any water that is too hot for you to touch directly into an aquarium that could then contact fish swimming by.
In healthy, well established aquariums, I often use AAP Shieldex or AAP Res-Q.
Both products remove chlorine & break apart chloramines (but do not remove ammonia). As well these are excellent redox reducers and add a slime coat (much better than Stress Coat). AAP Res-Q adds a medicated bandage that help prevent disease and is especially helpful with newer fish and stressful water changes.
Prime or Amquel Plus is a must for tanks with ammonia or nitrite problems.
Prime will bind ammonia into non-toxic ammonium (NH4) and neutralize nitrites as well as remove chlorine and chloramines (these are NOT a replacement for a properly cycled aquarium).
AAP Shieldex is your best choice for new tanks without an ammonia/nitrite issue as it will also help with natural bio colonization.
For everyday use in established aquariums, or especially with new fish or sick/recovering fish, AAP Res-Q should be your choice for a water conditioner."
Carl
www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Aquarium_cleaning.html
HERE IS AN EXCERPT:
"Add water back slowly, and if tap water is used make sure the temperature is similar to the aquarium water already present in the aquarium, you can generally safely add warm tap water to correct this.
Although in the Marine aquariums I maintained, I brought my own water and it was invariably colder than the aquarium, but this does not present as much of a problem as many think. If you do some math; Say your aquarium is 78 F and you add 20% water back that is 68 F, that is 1/5th the volume, so 1/5th of a 10 F difference is only 2 F.
If hot water is needed, this is best added to a bucket of non heated water from whatever source so as to not accidentally scald/burn fish pouring directly into the aquarium.
This said, beware of internet myths stating you should never heat water in a microwave for an aquarium. I've done this MANY times over the years, primarily in offices with no other source for hot water.
The problem is not how the water is heated, rather the direct pouring of any water that is too hot for you to touch directly into an aquarium that could then contact fish swimming by.
In healthy, well established aquariums, I often use AAP Shieldex or AAP Res-Q.
Both products remove chlorine & break apart chloramines (but do not remove ammonia). As well these are excellent redox reducers and add a slime coat (much better than Stress Coat). AAP Res-Q adds a medicated bandage that help prevent disease and is especially helpful with newer fish and stressful water changes.
Prime or Amquel Plus is a must for tanks with ammonia or nitrite problems.
Prime will bind ammonia into non-toxic ammonium (NH4) and neutralize nitrites as well as remove chlorine and chloramines (these are NOT a replacement for a properly cycled aquarium).
AAP Shieldex is your best choice for new tanks without an ammonia/nitrite issue as it will also help with natural bio colonization.
For everyday use in established aquariums, or especially with new fish or sick/recovering fish, AAP Res-Q should be your choice for a water conditioner."
Carl