Aquarium Water Change Tip - from 'Tap-to-Tank' - this is How I Do It! Safe and Fast!

Safe and fast aquarium water changes have been a game changer for me. Different people have different ways of accomplishing water changes. This is what has been working for me.
Some of you have asked about how I ensure that water going directly from the tap to my tanks is safe and harmless to my fish. Here I show you exactly how I do it and how it helped me break free from the "bucket brigade."
Here's my full water change playlist. Click here for more water change tips & tricks:
How do you do water changes? Watch the video then share your thoughts in the comment section below, keeping in mind that on this channel, "We ALL LEARN FROM EACH OTHER!" Also, remember that many of us, including me, enjoy reading the conversations that take place between all of you, the "Convo Gang," in the comments section.
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[BenOchart]

Want more tips and tricks to care for your fish? Check out these playlists!

[woolleson]

Thank you so much! Just moved over to a tropical aquarium, one of the things that I was pondering was temperature matching. In my marine tanks it was simple, just heated buckets as there was never a need for larger water changes. Never crossed my mind to mix hot and cold from the tap Simple but genius 😎

[BlazeSoLife]

Since your filter is still running while your filling it up with tap water wouldnt the chlorine from the tap kill all the beneficial bacteria? or does the safe work instantly?

[ClayAngelly]

Great tip! I do the same thing with my Python setup and Seachem Prime.

[Wenda-nice]

I love watching your videos. I’m a beginner with my mbuna 60 gallon tank and your videos are very helpful

[antony]

Oh! That's nice process to change water for this huge tank. I do use boring water as at my area no corporation water supply is there. Hence I need to filter it first in sediment water filter and then add in tank. As I am not using corporation water supply water, hence no chance of having chlorine/chloramine as such but obviously chances of other heavy metals so i do use a aquarium water conditioner which safe the water from traces of chlorine if any and heavy metals, plus that aquarium water conditioner also containing some natural product extract like aloe vera. Yes, your process is less hard labour compare to mine. Will try to find out a way if your process of water can can be followed for my tank if I modify a little. Thanks for bringing the nice tips.

[AVTOR]

I agree with Richri1. The safest an least stressful on the fish is pre treating in external tub like a Rubbermaid Brute. Adding salts and buffer allow you to fill with “exact” matching chemistry.

[communityfish]

Just tried that on my community tank before I did my latest vid, wow works a treat love it and tank looks cleaner thank you.

[ManxDaddy]

Good morning Ben, I do water changes almost the same way except I use Prime and Rift lake salt. I put both in a big zip lock baggie and run my water into the bag in the tank. The cats totally trip on the water moving through the hose.

[unusualaquariumecosystems]

Good work n the taps, but if I had to do regular changes on such a huge tank, I think I'd fit in some fixed plumbing.

[syedb]

Thanks for sharing that tip! I was worried about how /when to add the dechlorinator

[maulover]

Thanks for sharing Ben! I do mine slightly different but it's good to see how others go about doing it.

[georgerhodes]

I need a vid on how to hook up those attachments to the sink. I’ve bought and replaced multiple faucets to find the right connection. None of them work. So it’s bucket brigade for me. Sigh. Enjoy your channel Ben!

[darknezls]

Nice video I basically do the same thing I only have add a mixing valve with a quick disconnect for my pyton under my kitchen sink I just have to adjust it every season

[lorapetron]

Whats the name of the part you connected to the faucet?

[hkk]

There is a lot of sediment/metals in hot water tanks. Do you service your hot water tank?

[brendalemay]

I use the Python to drain the water from my 125 gallon and add water conditioner and water to the buckets and then fill the tank. I tried filling the tank using a similar method in your video and two of my fish died the next day. I am afraid to try it again but I am getting too old for the bucket brigade method as one viewer mentioned. Bucket brigade, ha ha I like that one!

[michael-evfk]

Hey Ben 🙋‍♂️
Good video as always. I do it basically the same way. Awhile back Zenzo had a video about using an RV Water Filter inline with the fill hose from the tap. So I ordered two of them off Amazon. Hooked them together, connect the Python refill hose, set temperature and fill. These filters remove all the nasty stuff we don't want in the aquarium, chlorine, chloramine, heavy metals, etc. before the water enters the tank. I also treat with Seachem Prime or Fluval Water Conditioner. For me it gives peace of mind removing the unwanted chems before it goes into the tank. I don't want to suffer a situation like Adam C had with the water company heavily treating the water and killing his fish.
Thanks Ben 👍
P.S. would be great if we could attach pics here.

[conneellyp]

You reckon you could do this with discus? Instead of ageing the water!

[EsoxLVCIVS]

I have a serious question and I'm hoping that you can help me. I have no experience of hot water tanks in American homes but here in the UK they are large copper cylinders. I know from experience that copper and shrimp don't mix so is it not dangerous to run water off a copper tank straight into an aquarium? It would make life so much easier if I could run water straight from the tap(faucet) into my aquarium because it would save boiling kettles and carrying 10 gallon buckets.