How to go from 64 to 78 degrees...

[SkiTheBerks]

Since this is now winter and I am going to be doing my second 1/2 tank change (1 gallon) out of my 2 gallon tank with a temp of 78, how would you get the 64 degree water from a bottle to 78 fairly fast?

I was going to put the new water in a stainless steel, never used pot, place on stove and use a thermometer and remove from heat when it reaches the 78 (+/-) degree and place in tank.

My Betta will be out of the tank prior to the removal of the water and returned when the new water is put in.

[Rachel]

What kind of water do you use? Honestly, I'm not sure of the safety of heating water in a metal/steel pan if it's going into an aquarium. Perhaps someone else would know the answer to this.

A method I know some people use -- If you're using bottled spring water or water that has been sitting out for a few days, you can microwave a small amount of water in a microwave-safe dish and mix it with the rest in a plastic container. Repeat with small amounts of warmer water until you get the appropriate temperature, treat the water as usual, then add to the tank.

[twoluvcats]

I use R/O water...so to heat it up I fill a gallon jug, then stick that jug in the sink in very hot water...I can usually get the temps pretty close this way.

[amanichen]

skitheberks said:

I was going to put the new water in a stainless steel, never used pot,

In theory, a decent water conditioner should take care of any chromium or copper that leeches into the water from the pot, but you're better off using plastic or glass as a container of choice for aquarium water.

[abm]

I use both the microwave and sink-of-hot-water methods, depending on the situation. Just be very sure to mix thoroughly and let the water temp stabilize throughout the tank before introducing the fish

[SkiTheBerks]

I do not like the microwave water suggestion. I know it is safe to drink water, but I thought it changes the chemistry of the water, like by oxidizing and killing any kind of bacteria (good) in the water. Basically it sterilizes the water. Correct me if I am wrong.

I decided to use a 4qt Pyrex measuring (glass) container and a Pyrex digital food thermomter. To heat the water I am using a clean immersion stick. So basically I am using a fast heating decive to heat 1 gallon of water.

[amanichen]

skitheberks said:

I do not like the microwave water suggestion. I know it is safe to drink water, but I thought it changes the chemistry of the water, like by oxidizing and killing any kind of bacteria (good) in the water. Basically it sterilizes the water. Correct me if I am wrong.

It seems that you're confused about a number of things.

Exactly what kinds of "good" bacteria do you expect to be in water? What makes you think that microwaves change the chemistry of water?

Microwaves produced by your average home appliance aren't nearly powerful enough to chemically affect bacteria. They can kill bacteria by using extreme heat, but not by breaking up proteins and DNA within a bacterial cell. You need ultraviolet electromagnetic radiation to be able to affect them on a chemical level.

The only thing that microwaves do to water (on the level of power seen in a home appliance) is heat it up. Yes, there might be other chemicals within the water that can be altered by microwaves, but the power produced by your countertop unit won't do much.

[SkiTheBerks]

Like I said, correct me if I am wrong.

I did not minor / major in chemistry or biology in college. I do remember this topic on a swimming pool forum. The discussion was about sanitizing pool water and went into deionozed water, distilled water, microwaved water, chlorinated water. I remember something that MW'ed water is like distilled water, with the exception that the minerals are still in MW'ed water.

If my pool water was not treated, my Betta could have 7200 gallons of water to lounge around in.

[amanichen]

skitheberks said:

Like I said, correct me if I am wrong. I did not minor / major in chemistry or biology in college.

*shrug* I'm a mechanical engineer. You don't have to be a chemist or biologist to understand water chemistry. I corrected you where I could but some of the some of the statements you made made no sense and weren't relevant. It's like asking how many legs a fish has -- the question is irrelevant because a fish doesn't have any legs.

Similarly, your comment about killing "good bacteria" was irrelevant to putting (I assume tap) water into a microwave. That's why I asked you to clarify what you meant.

I do remember this topic on a swimming pool forum. The discussion was about sanitizing pool water and went into deionozed water, distilled water, microwaved water, chlorinated water. I remember something that MW'ed water is like distilled water, with the exception that the minerals are still in MW'ed water.

Well, that exception is a pretty big deal. Again, putting water in your home microwave doesn't sterilize it unless you get it to boiling temperature (212F, 100C.)

[SkiTheBerks]

I am sorry to make this complicated, but my background in water chemistry is dealing with a vinyl lined pool and formerly a gunite pool.

Maintaining an aquarium is a lot different than a pool. With a pool you do not want to sustain life in the water and with an aquarium you do.


Fish do not have legs, but they can walk.
urbanlegends.about.com/od/fish/a/snakehead.htm