Comments on: How to Maintain Your Freshwater Aquarium

on 8/8/2006 As water evaporates, what it leaves behind is not necessarily healthy and it gradually changes the water's condition from your last weekly water change. As long as you are topping off with dechlorinated water with a pH balance and temperature very close to what's in the tank, you are helping not hurting, because it helps to maintain a healthy, constant environment. Yes, you are adding more minerals, but with a lot more water than if you just allow evaporation. Therefore, it lowers the mineral count in ppm. The fact of the matter is, it's really not that big of a deal in most cases of home use. Most people top off for appearance. Condition your water properly and you are good to go.

on 8/8/2006 If water has evaporated from the tank, it has left behind minerals and deposits that are generally found in even conditioned water. Remember to change 10-15% of your tank water weekly, but do not just add more water, because you will just be adding more of these minerals that can build up and become toxic to fish.

on 6/30/2006 As water evaporates, what it leaves behind is not necessarily healthy and it gradually changes the water's condition from your last weekly water change. As long as you are topping off with dechlorinated water, with a pH balance and temperature very close to what's in the tank, you are helping - not hurting. It helps to maintain a healthy, constant environment. Yes, you are adding more minerals, but with a lot more water than if you just allow evaporation. Therefore, it lowers the mineral count in ppm.

The fact of the matter is, it's really not that big of a deal in most cases of home use. Most people top off the tank for appearance. Condition your water properly and you are good to go.