Water change question

[paige]

I have a fish-only tank and I mix my water in a bucket before I add it to my tank. My question is...does it matter if I mix it the day before or a week before? I didn't know if letting it sit longer was good or bad.

Thanks for your advice!

 

[Jizzo]

At least a day but make sure you put a small powerhead in it and match temps and water conditions before you use it.

 

[Len]

To both paige and Jizzo:

Back in the days, you needed to wait at least 3 days for the mix to fully go into solution. The new mixes are much better nowadays, but I'd still wait at least 24 hours, preferably 48. Like Jizzo said, make sure it's well mixed/oxgenated and the temperature matches the tank's.

 

[Mikef1]

Welcome everyone!!

I also mix mine for at least 24 hours like Len said. Also it always pays off to have some extra water mixed for an emergency.

 

[Anonymous]

wow, I feel like an idiot... I mix mine in a bucket, right before I add it in! I make sure that the water is clear and not cloudy, and that the SG is close enough... . I also dont equalize temperature right before; I just pump it in slowly right onto the heater body...
Maybe that could explain some apparently unhealthy behavior in my tank inhabitants... *slaps self*....

 

[Dubge]

I do mine in less then 24 hours of mixing it. I will mix the SW say at night and do the change the next afternoon. airing the water and it is usualy at room temp, I didnt think 5G of room temp water would make a big difference in my tank (75G-10G sump-5G fuge)

Ray

 

[Jizzo]

wow, I feel like an idiot... I mix mine in a bucket, right before I add it in! I make sure that the water is clear and not cloudy, and that the SG is close enough... . I also dont equalize temperature right before; I just pump it in slowly right onto the heater body...
Maybe that could explain some apparently unhealthy behavior in my tank inhabitants... *slaps self*....

Don't beat yourself up. We all learn all the time in this hobby. Just try to match what you are adding to what you have :lol:

Peace,

Joe

 

[Anonymous]

I let it mix with a spare powerhead in the bucket and a heater. I try and equalize the temp and the pH with the parameters in the tank.

I've also done emergency water changes using a platic paint stirrer on a cordless drill (you can get them at Home Depot or harware store - looks like a propeller). I stir it up for a few minutes and go. That's only in emergencies, though.