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**Zulaab** · 08-01-2007, 12:43 PM

Re: Basic Water Quality Question

I am only going to spend time on the water change. I dont have a wet dry to talk to you about therefore this is what I have learned to do.

My water when coming out of the tap when cold is about 75 degrees, I nudge the level just about 2/10in to the right and the water is about 78 which is what the tank is. At this point I fill 5 gallon buckets full and move them to the tank. Each bucket I add chemicals to it and this is what I have been doing since April when I got the tank.

I know this will change when in the future I start having a few more tanks in the house.
For that I am going to get a barrel 55G or larger, install it in the garage, then add a sump pump with fittings and a long hose. Then the night before the water change go get the garden hose, fill up the 55g add chemicals to it there, put a large airpump (Something like a Rena 100) and add the chemicals and let the air pump over night. Then the next day do cleaning of the tanks, remove water from the tanks, and then go get the hose from the garage barrel and return to fill up the tanks. I know when I get a big tank I am going to be doing something like 55g of water change each time I do a change, just so I can do a 25% change out.

**Darbex** · 08-01-2007, 01:27 PM

Re: Basic Water Quality Question

I think this is a good question. When i do water changes I use the tube that connects to the facet and remove about ~50%. I then change it to add water straight from the facet I usually test the water to make sure the temp is close. I add the solution to remove the chemicals from the tap water as I am pouring in the water into the tank. i dont know if this is the best way to do it but it is the fastest and I dont think that it has harmed by fish

**Mzungu** · 08-01-2007, 01:34 PM

Re: Basic Water Quality Question

Good, I'll go for Number Two, then!

If nitrate levels are up, that means the wet/dry is working. Remember, the only way to get rid of nitrates (well, the 2 easier ways) are plants and water changes. A wet/dry is mainly a biological filter, and a big one, at that. So, you're pumping large volumes of water through large volumes of beneficial bacteria, which are producing large volumes of nitrate as an end product. :) So, your plans for larger water changes have good timing!

The brown powder-like residue is most likely the beneficial bacteria.

One question - the "tainted" smell - does it smell kinda like a lake, or like something died? IMO, weird as though it may be, beneficial bacteria reminds me of a lake.

**Mzungu** · 08-01-2007, 01:43 PM

Re: Basic Water Quality Question

About adding dechlorinator - When I have used a python-like device, I usually add the dechlor. right as I'm filling the tank, just for the amount of new water I'm adding. That way if something happens and the tank doesn't get filled right away, the fish won't be sitting in dechlorinator OD'd water.

Here's a little discussion from a while back:

Forums - HoustonFishBox

http://houstonfishbox.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=1189

HoustonFishBox is an online community dedicated to bringing together people and their fish in Houston, Southeast Texas, and beyond.

What other chemicals are you adding? Is it a regimen, or just dechlor. and buffer, for example?

**CichlidFan** · 08-01-2007, 02:27 PM

Re: Basic Water Quality Question

To be exact, currently, I take two tall (7 gallon) buckets and fill them to about 3 inches from the top. I let them sit over night with a tiny amount of Prime in each bucket which brings them to room temp.
The following evening I will use my vacuum and remove about an equal amount of water from one of my tanks. I replace the water with the two buckets and that is it, no other chemicals are used. I was thinking of adding some salt, but have not decided which type to use.

As far as the smell, it is not a foul smell, but yet it is a smell that leads me to believe my water quality needs attention.

CF

**Darbex** · 08-01-2007, 02:58 PM

Re: Basic Water Quality Question

I usually add the dechlorinator and minerals in front of the water stream and place it in the corner basically making the tap water filter through the chemicals to hopefully dechlorinate as much as possible before the water gets to the fish. I am using an "instant" one. But it works I havent had any problems knock on wood. I think the odor might be just what Mzungu calls lake smell which is what I have from just the bacteria in the tank.

**Zulaab** · 08-01-2007, 03:02 PM

Re: Basic Water Quality Question

I put the dechlorinator (Amquel+Plus) in the bottom of the bucket and then I fill it with water...then I know for sure that the water and Amquel has had time to blend.

**PhishPhreek** · 08-01-2007, 04:27 PM

Re: Basic Water Quality Question

When I only had 1 tank, I would just add tap water and dechlornator. I tweeked the faucet to get the temperature close.

But with a bunch of bettas that need water changes every week, I am a 55g drum user. I keep the drum in a corner of my fish room with a small submersible pump circulateing it. (fhis a carryover from when the water company used chlorine and it would evaporate in 24 hours) now it is just to keep the barrel mixing. I use the water as needed. Then before I leave the fish room, I refill the barrel, add the amquell + (dry)and a little salt. I have a larger sump pump with a long plastic hose for doing water changes in my tanks.

Now I'm considering options for how best do water changes for my bettas.

**eklikewhoa** · 08-01-2007, 05:08 PM

Re: Basic Water Quality Question

hmmmm, I tried posting here and it won't let me.....at least the long reply I had.

**FIREFISH** · 08-04-2007, 10:04 AM

Re: Basic Water Quality Question

What else besides a water change will lower the NITRATE level? My small fish seem be be gasping for air. Ph is fine,Nitrite is about .5.

**Brownsnoutuk** · 08-04-2007, 10:24 AM

Re: Basic Water Quality Question

Originally posted by FIREFISH";p="

What else besides a water change will lower the NITRATE level? My small fish seem be be gasping for air. Ph is fine,Nitrite is about .5.

Plants.

check your temp isnt too high for the small fish, maybe adding an airstone will help.

Nitrite should be 0.

**eklikewhoa** · 08-04-2007, 10:32 AM

Re: Basic Water Quality Question

Originally posted by FIREFISH";p="

What else besides a water change will lower the NITRATE level? My small fish seem be be gasping for air. Ph is fine,Nitrite is about .5.

NitrItes means your tank is still cycling or going through a mini cycle.

I doubt your nitrAtes are 0.5 unless you do daily water changes or you have the tank packed full of plants with lots of light. You can rid of this through water changes with water that has zero known nitrates, plants with good lighting, or through a nitrate filter but with the later that does not replenish nutrients.

**FIREFISH** · 08-04-2007, 11:30 AM

Re: Basic Water Quality Question

Ran to the lfs and picked up a drop test kit. The first test was with a dip test. Man I will be throwing that thing in the trash. The first test said NitrAte was over 200, second. new tester shows normal color. NitrIte to be .5. To me the fish appeared to be breathing fast, the wife said they looked normal to her. I am worried because this is the tank that the Front just died. Wife thinks that I am over reacting???? I put another pump in as Brownsnoutuk said and did a water change before I went and bought the new test.

**eklikewhoa** · 08-04-2007, 11:48 AM

Re: Basic Water Quality Question

Some aquarium salt will help then get through the cycle.

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