Ok to use warm water from tap for water change???

[Mulla]

Hi all

Well I've finally started my fishless cycle. Actually only second day into it only have time over the weekend to get all the equipment together.

Now I know that people usually to like a 90% water change after their cycle is complete. Having remember reading somewhere that if I just dump cold water into the tank I could kill off many of the bacteria that's already growing there.

So I thought I could use warm tap water to get the temps a bit higher since it's winter here right now. Are there any harmful materials in warm / hot tap water that I shouldn't use it? If not should I use boiled cold water to make warm water?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Slappy*McFish]

Warm tap water will be fine to use..some people claim very hot water to have harmful deposits and toxins from the hot water heater..but you should be just fine with luke warm water around the same temperature as that of the tank's water..I always have used warm water from the tap(almost 20yrs now) with no problems. I just assumed everyone else did too. Many water conditioners used to dechlorinate tap water also neutralize heavy metals. I see no reason not to use warm water.

 

[glittergirl]

I was told not to use water from the hot water tap, possibly because of copper leaching into the water from the hot water tank (?)

 

[CHINABOY1021]

just a question. am i right about the fact there are more micro bubbles in hot water than cold? or is hot water not as clear as cold. thats what i've noticed. thanks!

 

[Slappy*McFish]

Originally posted by CHINABOY1021
just a question. am i right about the fact there are more micro bubbles in hot water than cold? or is hot water not as clear as cold. thats what i've noticed. thanks!

You are correct..there are more bubbles in hot water than cold. Warm water, however, is clear.

 

[Slappy*McFish]

Originally posted by glittergirl
I was told not to use water from the hot water tap, possibly because of copper leaching into the water from the hot water tank (?)

I guess that would depend on your hotwater heater.

 

[kveeti]

Like Slappy*McFish, I'd used lukewarm tap water for over 20 years before I even heard the rumour that it might not be safe... then I did a very brief stint of equalizing temps by microwaving some water - boy, was that a pain so I went back to the warm tap water.
Anyhow, here is a previous thread on it:
http://64.191.28.50/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=7608&highlight=water+copper

 

[wetmanNY]

Water that has been heated has been seriously depleted in oxygen. Water that has been boiled is virtually devoid of oxygen.

Carbon dioxide may have been driven off by heating too.

Every water heater and plumbing system is a separate case.

Hot water dissolves more metals than cold water.

"Curing" water in a large covered can does more than just bring it up to room temperature.

 

[Rocketman]

How about adding water that is as close to your tank's temperature as possible?

This way you prevent any dramitic changes in temperature that could cause an Ick outbreak.

I've always, (and now even more so, since I recently purchased a Python,) just added water, straight from the tap, into my aquariums at a temperature as close to 76 Degrees as possible.

Then I will add some water conditioner.

Simple enough, Eh?

Haha, it's Winter in Australia! Of course, it isn't too much different here in Michigan.

 

[goldfish freak]

Well, even if the hot water pipes leeched some copper and other heavy metals into your water, you could use any number of water conditioners that neutralize copper and other heavy metals. Most of them do. Although I am unsure as to what concentration of heavy metals these products will remove.