Rjoepenk said:
Please write up, in as much detail as possible please, how you personally complete your water changes (Specifically I need to know how you "prepare" the new water beforehand). I've done a lot of reading but I don't want to undertake one until I've had the lowdown from you lot
The day before the PWC:
Add 1/4 tsp of bicarb to each of my five gallon jugs (4) -don't do this if you don't know why you are doing it.
Take them outside and fill halfway with water from my well.
Add dechlor juice to jugs.
Fill the jugs the rest of the way up.
Take back into garage, drop in my bubble stone rig and plug in the air pump.
Let it sit overnight.
Day of PWC:
Unplug air pump and store bubble stone rig.
Temp match the water, if necessary, using a large Pyrex measuring cup and the microwave.
Scrub glass.
Turn off filter, heater and CO2 rig.
Grab a five gallon bucket and vacuum out 20 gallons.
On the first bucket swish filter media (HOBs every PWC, canisters every month), repeat with second bucket.
Add root tabs if it is that time and prune/arrange/fix the plants if need be. (If this is my 75 gallon tank then at this time I am usually also fending off my Angelfish because the little bugger bites.)
Grab a ladder and put one of the five gallon jugs on the top.
Siphon water from jug to tank.
Turn filter, heater and CO2 rig back on.
Done.
There is usually a few cigarettes and some NSFK language involved also.
It is really not as bad as it seems.