when i do a water change due i have to use a siphon or can i just get a cup take out water and put clean water

Question

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Answer 1

Either but a siphon has advantages first you can remove the filth from the tank floor first sweep and too it's a lot less messy in my experience.

Answer 2

You can just use a cup as long as you know that it is not contaminated. In other words, don't take one out of the dishwasher or off the shelf and use it to change water.

Cleaning the cup in your tap water may contaminate it, unless you know that your tap water is 0 for ammonia, nitrites and nitrates. At the least you should clean your water change cup before using it. Use water that has been dechlorinated.

Ideally you would clean your cup in a bucket of tank water, but then, how would you get the water in the tank without another cup :)

Do you see why syphoning is usually easier ? But if you are using a cup, I presume you have quite a small set-up. Do whatever is practical for you, making sure that there is no chance of contamination. Use a specially dedicated aquarium cup that you do water changes with, and nothing else. Wash it in a newly bought bucket that you only use for this purpose.

In fairness, if this is impractical, unless your tap water is very high for ammonia, nitrites, nitrate or chlorine you will probably be ok just rinsing it under the tap.

Answer 3

I always use a siphon because I can clean all down into the gravel. It helps to remove all of the stuff (uneated food & etc). I change 50% of the water every week!

Answer 4

siphoning is best since it cleans out that gunk in your gravel. Also it is easy to pick up little peices of food or feces. Cleaning out that "gunk" and excess food should help your overall water quality. Otherwise, with a cup, your only removing dirty water, not the root of the problem.

Answer 5

Believe it or not, I dont use Either method. I use a wet/ dry vaccuum with a stocking over the end. I place the hose near the bottom of the tank, so as to not suction fish. ( Yes I do the change with the fish in). If you need to completely change water, Remove fish to large pitcher or pan, In the tank water they currently abide .Use vaccuum method to totally drain tank. If you have pebbles......I use a strainer in which I clean the pebbles with clean hot water(no soap). in batches as much as strainer will hold. and return to tank. If your fish are hardy..you may place them into newly filled tank without acclimating them to temperature or PH levels. Less hardy species will need a time to acclimate..I would do this by gradually replacing the water in their temporary holding tank with the new water at the temperature best for them. Your pet supply store will know what the proper tank temperature should be.Do not Overhandle the fish, for best results..and least trauma. ( If you dont use a filter in your tank,.I would completely change the water every time you clean/ replace water). Also.. keep an eye on all fish in the tank as often as possible. Remove sick- Injured-dying-or dead fish immediately to avoid conaminating entire tank.

Answer 6

They tell you to only change 25% of the water at a time...I usually use a bowl or a cup...take 25% out, and then fill the tank back up....Its easy enough and the stable water is still in there, so all the chemicals from the tap water arent in full. Also, you can get drops....they will help rid your tank of the bad chemicals, and keep the good ones, plus help your fish stay healthy and its scales pretty. :)

Answer 7

you can do it anyway you perfer but you need to make it as easy as possiable on yourself hes what i find works easy for me i keep one of those 5 galloon water bottles and syphon it into that then when it gets fill i dump it out then i use it to fill my fish tank back up it takes less time for me since i have such a big tankbut if your tanks small and you just wanta use a cup its fine

Answer 8

You need a gravel vac to do it effectively.
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