FishProfiles.com Message Forums

i have a 20 gallon aquarium and side 2 10 gallon tanks. I also have a an extra heater.. so would it be a good idea for me to grab a 10 gal tank and fill it up with water and put a usual filter thats behind the back with a heater? so there is nothing in the tank besides a heater and a filter and a hood, but i wont use the light, and let the tank run for until i do a water change to the 20 gallon which is weekly, so what do you think?

Sounds good... a good way to age your water without using addatives. I don't know that i'd bother with the filter and heater unless you decide to keep something in the other tank, but it's your call, it certainly wont hurt. Don't expect the second unused tank to be cycled even if it is being filtered and heated, as you have no fish in it, so no ammonia, so no good bacteria that live off the ammonia.

dont bother with the filter but the rest is a good idea. the hood will keep evaporation down and the heater is a good idea, try to set it as close as possible as the tank WITH fish in it. this way when you do a water change you can change it with out the worry of a temp swing. this prevents stress and cuts down ick in a big way.

i do this exact same thing on a larger scale fo rmy 75g tank. i use a 40g plastic container which i fill with a hose and let sit for 2 days with a heater then use it to do a water change. ive never had ick.i do keep water conditioner on hand just incase i have to do an emergency water change from the tap with out letting it sit in open air. its insurence and i hardly use it. i bought a very small bottle over a yr ago and i still have half the bottle left.

in the future if you decide to use the 10g for fish you can just replace it with a cheap plastic container from walmart for $3-$6 depending on size. the heater is not a must but it does help.

hope this helps, this is also my opinion not a fact

If your town/city uses chloramine INSTEAD of chlorine you WILL NEED a additive to remove the chloramine. Aging and/or aeration will not remove the chlormine effectively.

I would forget the filter, but use a airstone stone and pump to achieve circulation and aeration to help remove chorine.

well, thw water will be aged for a couple days like 6-7, wouldnt that be enough to simplify the water?, wat does an airstone do? and i should put cold tap water into the 10 gallon rather than hot water because i heard hot water as more deposits and nasty chemicals that come from the water heater.... any comments?

Hot water tends to have copper deposits from the copper tubing.

Chloramine is really hard to get out of water ... 6-7 days may be enough ... but why chance it.

The airstone is to add oxygen to the water and to help remove the chlorine/chloramine. Just call up the water district and ask what they use. Ive never had a problem with mine telling me.

I use 5 gallon buckets that i let sit for 3-5 days ... however my district only uses chlorine. This also helps to stabilize pH.

Bdadawg