Hello all, I am new to the forums and I have a question about my tank. I have a 5 gal tank. It has 1 beta, 2 cory cats and a pleco . The water evaporates very fast. I have been using tap water to refill it as I thought the small amount would not hurt them ... a small cup every other day. I them seen my fish act strangely so I stopped. Question is will a small cup of tap water every two days hurt my fish?
Refill question
- Thread starter Soulestra
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You should always treat any water going into your tank with water conditioner. Either enough conditioner in the tank to treat the whole volume of water in the tank before you top up, or enough in the cup to treat the cupful of water. You are probably seeing the fish reacting to chlorine until it evaporates off a day or so later.
Also note that topping up after evaporation doesnt count as water changes. The evaporated water leaves behind all the stuff you need to remove with your water changes.
Also note that topping up after evaporation doesnt count as water changes. The evaporated water leaves behind all the stuff you need to remove with your water changes.
You could also try leaving water out overnight/24h so any chlorine evaporates off before you add it. Wont work if your water is treated with chloramine though.
Yes the fish’s odd reaction is likely due to adding the untreated water.
Even in small amounts it is still wise to treat the water. Yes you’re not likely to kill them from adding a cup full, but why stress them out for no reason. The chlorine damages their gills and basically causes suffocation. I don’t think you’d want anyone giving you a little shot of chlorine gas every few days and burning your lungs, so why do it to the fish? Lol
Even in small amounts it is still wise to treat the water. Yes you’re not likely to kill them from adding a cup full, but why stress them out for no reason. The chlorine damages their gills and basically causes suffocation. I don’t think you’d want anyone giving you a little shot of chlorine gas every few days and burning your lungs, so why do it to the fish? Lol
el chibcha
Aquarium Advice Newbie
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- Feb 1, 2022
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Tap water might have more things than just chlorine, chloramines leave ammonia in your tank.
Always treat water before adding it to your tank.
I always leave my water out overnight.
I fill a designated 5 gallon bucket, treat with conditioner, leave aside overnight and take as much as I need, when I need, after 24 hrs.
It might work for you, this way you would have water ready to add every time water level goes down.
You could check options for a tank lid, depending on your tank and the scape you want, a lid might help to reduce evaporation so quickly.
Remember, water refills do not replace water changes; every water refill or water change, affects water chemistry in your tank.
Hope this might help
Always treat water before adding it to your tank.
I always leave my water out overnight.
I fill a designated 5 gallon bucket, treat with conditioner, leave aside overnight and take as much as I need, when I need, after 24 hrs.
It might work for you, this way you would have water ready to add every time water level goes down.
You could check options for a tank lid, depending on your tank and the scape you want, a lid might help to reduce evaporation so quickly.
Remember, water refills do not replace water changes; every water refill or water change, affects water chemistry in your tank.
Hope this might help
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