since getting a new tank the water changes are a struggle for my girlfriend when i am away at work. i have a u bend type pump action manual gravel cleaner/water syphon. easy to get the water out of the tank into a large rubbermaid container. not so easy getting the clean water back in. i have just ordered a 25 foot python for water changes. as this puts water straight from the tap i assume i will just add my water conditioner to the tank ? i use 'fresh start' as a water treatment and usually add it to the fresh water and leave over night before doing a water change.

Yes.

But, to make sure that the chlorine bond is being broken fast enough, double dose the tankwater before adding the new water. So, if you adding back 10 gallons, dose the tankwater with enough dechlor to treat 20 gallons. This double dose will not harm the fish and it will break the chlorine bond before it can come into prolonged contact with your fish's gills. This is exactly how most professionals handle waterchanges in large tank.....


Paul

Thanks Paul.

Whew! That's the way I've been doing it, and was always so worried I was reducing oxygen by putting so much Prime in. I have to do it anyway, because I have Nitrites in my tap water.

I do it that way too. Right before I start the stream back into the tank I add enough Prime to dose the whole tank.