Water change

Question
At this time of year when the water is so cold can you add some warm water from the tap for a water change into the cold water? All water parameters are good.

Answer
Hi patricia,

You can add tap water, if it is emergency, but typically unfiltered water will have other elements in it.. chorine, and silicates are not that good, and will cause problems...

you can use tap water if you let it sit over night to get rid of the chlorine, but the silicates/phospates and other disssolved solids will still be there.

you can put the water change water in the room to warm it up prior to doing your water change, or you can get a spare heater to heat the water prior to doing your water change...

or depending on the size of the tank and the amount of water you are changeing, not worry about it too much

10% water change with water that is substantially cooler will not change the over temperature of the tank too much...

good luck, and please let me know what yo uend up doing and how it works out.

you can post this information and other questions at my new forum at www.thelittleocean.com

hope to see you there


bill