How do I do a10% water clean on my Biorb

[Kriandor]

Hi all - first an introduction:I'm brand new to this forum and in fact to aquariums. After much searching to get my answer I've finally found this helpful looking forum.

We've just bought a Biorb Flow 30. Got the water in and heated, had the water tested, and added ornaments. As yet, no fish. We're that new!


My problem is the suggested 10% water clean and change every two weeks. It seems that I need a 10litre container for the 'old' water , and another one for the 'new' water. But how do I get the new water up to the right temperature? Do I need a second heater just for this water? Or can the fish stand the addition of 10 litres of cold water? And what happens when I have to do a full change? How do I keep the fish happy while I heat up 30 litres of new water?


Sorry for all the (probably obvious) questions. Best to have the answers now before we take on our new aquatic tenants!

 

[Andrew McFadden]

:Welcome: to AA! We hope you enjoy

 

[Scottyhorse]

Welcome to AA!

It sounds like you are cycling your tank right now, good job! If you aren't, read the cycling stickies on the Getting Started section, they will help a lot!!

Anyways, you should really change at least 25% of the water one to two times a week depending on the stock.

When I do water changes on my tank, (it's 25 gallons) I take the old water out with a bowl, and poor it into 5 gal buckets until I get however much I am changing out that day, then poor it into out sump.

The I go upstairs and get tap water and just guess and try and get it as close to the temp in the tank as I can. Then bring it downstairs, put it in the tank, and put some declor in it.

When I am doing a water change I have the heater and filter off.

 

[Kriandor]

Thanks Scottyhorse - that's really useful. It seems that I could use warm tap water as long as I can match the temperature, and add some declor.

I'll keep you updated when we start adding stock!