How to do an emergency aquarium water change

In an emergency situation, a regular water change may not be sufficient. Whether the problem is pH imbalance, toxic nitrogenous wastes, tank filter crashes, waterborn illnesses or medication removal, there are instances when you need to perform a multiple step water change quickly and safely to save the lives of your freshwater animals and plants. Here's how to perform such a water change.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• dechlorinator
• siphon hose or bucket

1. Turn off all of the tank' s filters and unplug the heater. Using your siphon hose or buckets, remove approximately 75% of the water. Clean the gravel and decor with the out flowing water if needed.

2. Read the directions to your dechlorinator and add enough dechlorinator back to the tank before you fill it up. Fill the tank to 75% full. This will dilute any pollutants in the remaining water. Drain 50% of the refilled water (down to 25% left in the tank). Repeat.

3. Add dechlorinator and fill tank to 100% full. Allow thermostat on heater to adjust to any temperature differences for ten minutes and plug in all equipment, including heater and filters.

Tips & Warnings

• 75% of the toxins are removed with the first drain.
• The 25% of water remaining in step two is diluted to 6.5% of the original level in step two.
• The remaining fill up dilutes the toxins to 2% of the original level in step three.
• Remember to repeat the filling and draining process in the second step.
• Be sure to add the dechlorinator to the tank prior to each refill of new water.
• Remember to unplug your heater and filters, especially if the heater has a glass cover (or else it can overheat and crack).

Resources

• Petfish Aquarium help

[spencd1011]

on 10/3/2008 Thanks for the advice. Very helpful.