How to Change the Water in your Aquarium

Determine if the water needs to be changed. This can be determined by performing water tests with test kits or by noticing if the water no longer looks clear. I try and do water changes every week or two, depending on the number of fish in the aquarium at the time.

If you have filter sponge(s), remove the sponge(s) and siphon some water into a bucket with the sponges.

Clean sponge(s)in the water that was just siphoned out by swishing the sponge in the water and squeezing the water out into a sink. Repeat until only clear water is coming out.

Siphon out no more than 25% of the water, into a bucket or sink. If using a gravel vacuum system, then suck the water out by working the vacuum in and around the substrate. This is the best way to remove water and clean muck from your tank.

Using tapwater, adjust the temperature of the water to be equal to the water in the tank. I usually take my aquarium thermometer and hold it in the stream of water until the temperature is the same.

Using a bucket to transport or a gravel vacuum system refill the water level in the aquarium. Try not to disturb the bottom or you might make the water cloudy. Or for smaller aquariums use water that has set out overnight.

If using water straight from the tap, add chemicals to neutralize the chlorine that is in the water. Your aquarium store can guide you to the best product to use for the local water systems.

Test the water after about an hour to make sure that the water is now in the acceptable ranges.