Water Temp / Water Changes

Manwithnofish · 02-01-2008, 05:17 PM

Question about the Python vacuum system to do water changes. It appears that this device connects to the faucet at the sink. At the faucet, a value allows the water to drain from the tank into the sink or switches to refill the tank. Assuming I have this device correctly described, my question concerns refilling my tank directly from the faucet. My water comes from a well and the water temperature is going to be very cold. Well depth 175', so water temp should be approximately 54 degrees. That is true if I let the water run long enough to empty the holding tank under the house so the water is coming from the bottom of the well. In the winter, the water in the holding tank under the house is surely lower than 40 degrees. If I do a 20% water change, I am going to have a significant temperature drop and I assume shock the fish and plants to death. I obviously do have a hot water heater in the house, should I regulate the temp by mixing hot and cold via the faucets? Thoughts and recommendations please.

emc7 · 02-01-2008, 06:51 PM

You want to add water to the fishtank that is as close as possible to the tank temperature. Preferably, slightly warmer rather than cooler. If you can adjust it with the faucets you should. Some people say warm tap water has a slightly different compostion than cold tap water, but its not as important as matching the temp. If you have to use cold water, you need to fill it up really slowly, which kind of defeats the purpose of using the python.

Manwithnofish · 02-01-2008, 08:39 PM

I have no measurements, but I have real concerns about using hot water. I've always been told that metals leach into the water. I suppose I should have it tested somehow.

Gourami Swami · 02-01-2008, 08:53 PM

Metals WILL leach into the water, which is why with pythons, you want to use heinous amounts of AP water dechlorinater.

Manwithnofish · 02-01-2008, 09:12 PM

I don't have chlorine, it's well water. I'm talking about metals from the copper pipes and the solder in the joints. The metals that come from the ground I assume would be the same if I used cold or hot water.

Obsidian · 02-01-2008, 10:01 PM

Most of the dechlorinaters ALSO deal with the "heavy metals" found in your pipes

Therefore even though you don't have chlorine, you would still want to use the water conditioner.

Gourami Swami · 02-01-2008, 10:07 PM

Yep. THe dechlor also detoxifies heavy metals.

02-01-2008, 05:17 PM	#1
Manwithnofish Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 62	Water Temp / Water Changes Question about the Python vacuum system to do water changes. It appears that this device connects to the faucet at the sink. At the faucet, a value allows the water to drain from the tank into the sink or switches to refill the tank. Assuming I have this device correctly described, my question concerns refilling my tank directly from the faucet. My water comes from a well and the water temperature is going to be very cold. Well depth 175', so water temp should be approximately 54 degrees. That is true if I let the water run long enough to empty the holding tank under the house so the water is coming from the bottom of the well. In the winter, the water in the holding tank under the house is surely lower than 40 degrees. If I do a 20% water change, I am going to have a significant temperature drop and I assume shock the fish and plants to death. I obviously do have a hot water heater in the house, should I regulate the temp by mixing hot and cold via the faucets? Thoughts and recommendations please.

02-01-2008, 08:39 PM	#3
Manwithnofish Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 62	Hot water contains metals? I have no measurements, but I have real concerns about using hot water. I've always been told that metals leach into the water. I suppose I should have it tested somehow.

02-01-2008, 08:53 PM	#4
Gourami Swami Supreme Dictator For Life Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Somewhere out Yonder... Posts: 1,106	Metals WILL leach into the water, which is why with pythons, you want to use heinous amounts of AP water dechlorinater. __________________

02-01-2008, 09:12 PM	#5
Manwithnofish Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 62	Dechlorinator? I don't have chlorine, it's well water. I'm talking about metals from the copper pipes and the solder in the joints. The metals that come from the ground I assume would be the same if I used cold or hot water.

02-01-2008, 10:01 PM	#6
Obsidian Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Arizona Age: 37 Posts: 1,039	Most of the dechlorinaters ALSO deal with the "heavy metals" found in your pipes Therefore even though you don't have chlorine, you would still want to use the water conditioner. __________________ Obsidian 20 gallon 1 Dwarf Gourami; 5 Cherry Barbs; 7 Black Neon Tetras; 3 Peppered Cory's; 1 Albino Bristlenose Pleco (Old Blondie) 10 gallon Breaking it down for storage. 5.5 gallon Betta 100 gallon 7 giant danios; 4 Rosy Barbs, 1 German Blue Ram, 7 Julie Cory cats, 2 Burmese Loaches; 5 Zebra Daios

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02-01-2008, 06:51 PM	#2
emc7 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Johns Creek, GA Posts: 3,276	You want to add water to the fishtank that is as close as possible to the tank temperature. Preferably, slightly warmer rather than cooler. If you can adjust it with the faucets you should. Some people say warm tap water has a slightly different compostion than cold tap water, but its not as important as matching the temp. If you have to use cold water, you need to fill it up really slowly, which kind of defeats the purpose of using the python.

02-01-2008, 10:07 PM	#7
Gourami Swami Supreme Dictator For Life Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Somewhere out Yonder... Posts: 1,106	Yep. THe dechlor also detoxifies heavy metals. __________________

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