How to do a water change! Part 2

Before I start make sure you view all parts for a FULL overview and understanding of water changes.
First off water changes are probably the most important thing you will do as an aquarist. They are vital in so many was such as, nutrient import, toxin export, vile and solid waste export, and much more. Now I know there might be some people that say they have never changed their water in like 10 years or something, but you need 1000s of dollars invested in special filters that remove such, and still you would have to gravel vac the gravel when ever you would usually do a water change unless you have some specialized system that can suck in fish waste off the bottom with out moving the gravel. Anyways you might also hear this same thing from people with reef tanks, and this is actually not hard to do. As with saltwater reef tanks, the coral is an excellent nutrient exchanger and so the water is able to sustain its self with mature corals and fish (really cant put too many in for this to work) as a cycle, that just needs some supplements every so often.

Anyways the regular gravel siphon most people have and sell is going to be the standard gravity siphon. Now there are a few variations on it such as, one that has a hand pump on it, but generally they all pretty much are the same and comes down to personal preference and tank needs.

Now the pythons were basically made to eliminate buckets, but really even with one I would use them or make a special sump as I will explain and you will find out in further parts. Basically since you hook it up to you faucet, whatever comes out just goes down the drain eliminating buckets for dirty water. They also let you add water to your tank, But DO NOT DO THIS AS ANY TAP WATER FAUCET WILL HAVE CHLORINE AND CHLOIMINES IN IT AND CAN KILL YOUR PLANTS AND FISH! Now not everyones tap water might not have those in it but can other harmful things in them, but if you have any kind of city water I can guarantee you do; and even a lot of wells have harmful contaminates. So as I mention in later parts, age your water with water conditioner! If you want a suggestion for water conditioner I suggest SeaChems "PRIME" its good stuff. Or make some kind of sump that you can leave your water to age in, but remember water gets stagnate and you dont want that so if you plan on letting it sit for more than 48 hours make sure you put some kind of power head or pump in the bucket or tank. I will have a how-to soon on how to make a good cheap sump. Anyways pythons can also deify gravity incase you have a tank thats lower than the sink or bucket would be, as you will see in the next part. I will suggest them to anyone, even if you dont need it its a nice tool to have.

You only want to suck out about 20-30% of your water at a time, no more than 50% that is the limit or you can send your tank back into cycling. Most people will need to do this once a week to once every 2 weeks. If you have a question about yours feel free to ask, the only thing I ask is watch all the parts, you might find your answers.

While your water is drained this would be a good time to do a lot of tank maintenance so keep that in mind. For instance, adding salt, moving decorations, trimming plants, cleaning filter inlets and outlets and etc. Another tip I suggest is for any external filter is to, even if you due date to change a cartridge or bag is here, wait like a day or 2 after a water change to do it, that way you dont remove any beneficial bacteria and your tanks cycles the new water faster. Another tip before doing a water change, feed you fish like an hour or 2 before hand so you can pick up the waste for that day too.

I think I about covered it all, if there is anything I missed let me know. Make sure you watch all 3 parts! If you have any questions feel free to message me, there is no question I will reject of the subject.

Thanks for tuning in!

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• how
• to
• do
• water
• change
• part
• filter
• aquarium
• fish
• tank
• gravel
• vacuum
• python
• bucket

[fortheloveoffish]

U no what I might just try that instead I leave it there for 3 hours with a pump circulating the water.

[AquariumTech]

@fortheloveoffish Shortly I will be putting out a video on how I built my freshwater sump, and also how to do it without spending a lot of money. I can and possibly will make another water changing video, to show how to use the sump as well.

[fortheloveoffish]

Well I'm not talking about instantly but when I do it I pour the dechlorinator in and mix it around for like 30 seconds and then let it sit for like 5 minutes. Then I fill the tank up.

[AquariumTech]

@fortheloveoffish Thats still no where near close enough, really 2 hours isnt even quite enough. I mean if you think of all the stuff a simple compound has to complete "instantly" especially to the mass of water, from just a common sense perspective (let alone through a science perspective) its impossible. Its just not going to happen like that. Its not like I dont want it to be true. Hell, if it was instantly, I wouldnt need my sump system or any bucket ever.

[fortheloveoffish]

U don't hav to wait hours for the dechlorinator to work. It works instantly! Also instead of carrying those buckets to fill up the tank use a powerhead with a tube and fill it up the tank like that.

[AquariumTech]

@fortheloveoffish Actually thats not true and a common misconception. I mention the deal with this in part 1. It defiantly does NOT de-chlorinate instantly. It might as it touches the each water molecule, but defiantly not instantly for any mass of water, Im not trying to be rude, but thats basic knowledge.

As for the powerhead, I did think of that (as I mention I actually use a sump system I built for my water changes, this all for example) but it wouldnt get all the water out from the bucket

[1979wood]

Is there any light in your house?

[fishingman636]

Turn the fucking light on the next video u make I can't even see

[luvmyhondafit]

Do you have any lights in your house?? Your vids are way too dark!

[dogbones50]

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[vasquezonmath]

help anyone i have a 40 gal breeder and i put in a peice of wood i bought from petco in there and made my water like red? how do i get my water clear again