since the weather has been cold is it safe to still do a cold water change?

[eklikewhoa]

Refill slow is the key if its really cold. Usually just feel by hand... water sitting in the pipes is freezing cold and a few minutes later its not as cold.

Back a few years ago with my 6fters I would do about 70-80% when its cold and temps would drop slowly from 80 to about 65ish? I'm guessing all the substrate and rockwork helped from dropping too low. But refilled slowly and made sure I didn't feed on the day of wc(did wc at night).

Only once did I over do it and the fish got lethargic but once all the pumps got going they bounced right back.

[eklikewhoa]

ima use that python to run the water until it not as cold... ill do it when i get home today...

With such a small tank cut down on the gallons replaced and spread it out through the week...doing it when its warmest outside helps too.

[eklikewhoa]

If some of you are really worried then get a super long python and coil it under hot water as the cold water flows through and into the tank.

[Andrew_B]

Kiko, those fish are used to using straight up cold water from tap for every big water change. I always did water changes first thing in the morning when pipes are cooler (this time of year, just wait until evening). Just fill the tank up slow. Its not like those rift lakes don't go through temp changes. The cold water excites them and induces breeding anyway

[Kiko]

^ lol... their growing and killed one of my cory and one of my o cat... lol

[Andrew_B]

Feisty little buggers I tell ya

[roxcarr]

Buckets

I bought some paint buckets at Home Depot. They're cheap and stack together. I just keep them in the shower (except, of course, when I'm in it) between uses. I'm afraid to add water straight from the tap. I fill them up several hours/the night before a water change, add conditioner, and pour/siphon the water in. Last week it was cold, so I filled them up with all hot water, and let it cool to the proper temp. I guess I'm not having the same brown water problem.

[77chris03]

What I do is use the gravel gleaned/water changer by aqueon from perform or petsmart for 45 bucks. I have a thermostat in my tank that gives the tenths of a degree and I use a stainless ashcroft gauge and match the water out of the faucet to the tank. I never worry about shock unless I'm transferring fish. I've never had any problems with water changes. If ur having rust issues with ur water use on of those attatch to the faucet filters and then test the water then.

[eklikewhoa]

It gives me the shivers when I hear people using hot water...

Just did a 60% last night with cold water and no problems.

[roxcarr]

not HOT water

I don't use HOT water. I fill the buckets up with hot water and let it sit until it's the right temperature. I don't want to cook or chill my fish :)

[electricblue]

I don't really worry about this anymore. I simply let the water run a bit just till its not freezing cold anymore and then fill the tanks back up with the python hose. I do 50% wc on a 5 gallon and a 20 with boraras and shrimps and they do ok even tho shrimps are sensitive to temperature instability. On my 7g sw I just do a 20% using room temp water from my unheated house.