Changing the water in your fish tank on a weekly basis is a very important step in ensuring the survival and health of your fish.  Water changes are actually very easy to do and will generally not take more than thirty minutes as long as you've prepared before hand and have the right tools ready.

Why Is It Important To Change The Water?

A fish tank is an enclosed ecosystem.  Each day, just like all other life forms, fish will produce waste.  It is easy to notice feces floating in the water but fish also release urine which is not noticeable.  The waste that is discarded dissolve in the same water that the aquatic life swim in and though the aquarium filter will remove a portion of this, there will still be traces of waste that is left behind.

Furthermore, there are also other elements that contribute to the pollution of the water such as excess food, decaying plants, accidental contamination by clumsy human hands and sadly the occasional dead fish.  All these contaminants contribute to creating a toxic soup that will eventually build up in potency and harm the fish.

A lot of fish enthusiasts argue that fish tank plants effectively removes any traces of waste from the aquarium but you need to realize that plants are also a form of life and they only consume certain elements, but there are byproducts of waste that will even harm them.

No matter how great you feel your filter may be nothing beats a water change to restore the fish tank back to livable conditions.  Try to imagine what life would be for you if you were locked in a room with conditioned air but no way of getting fresh air from outside.

The Right Way To Chang Aquarium Water

You should not change more than 20 water change.

The first thing to do is to prepare for the water change.  One day before changing the water, fill a bucket of water and allow it to remain for twenty four hours to give time for the chlorine to dissolve.  Never dump in tap water directly into the fish tank because the chlorine will kill off important beneficial bacteria colonies in your fish tank.

The best way to remove the water is by using a low suction siphon.  You could buy a fish tank vacuum from the Recommended Products List below  or just simply use a long rubber tube.  While sucking out the water, bringing the hose inlet over the gravel, plants and tank decoration to suck up larger waste as well.  This step is very important if you are using an Undergravel Filter.

You can use the water that you siphoned out to wash your filter media and tank decoration in.  Don't wash filter media and tank decoration in direct tap water as the chlorine will also kill off beneficial bacteria colonies that have grown on them.

When pouring the new water into the aquarium, pour it in gently at one corner of the tank so as not to frighten the fish.

After Changing The Water

For the next couple of hours, check the pH and temperature levels of the water from time to time to make sure that it does not alter drastically.

That completes your water change.  It's simple yet important and should not take up too much of your time.  Done consistently and well, it will ensure that your fish live long and prosper.