"Jolly Fisherman" wrote in message
...
On Tue, 10 Oct 2006 12:22:45 +1000, "swarvegorilla"
wrote:


"Jolly Fisherman" wrote in message
. ..

I was wondering if any of you take any special precautions when adding
tap water that has different chemistry than the tank water.

I'm assuming it would be important to either *not* do a large water
change *or* to add water very slowly, over a period of time when one
is doing say, CO2 injection, or is using driftwood, coral, etc. to
alter water parameters.

Is this true, or is whether you can do it based on certain guidelines
re the extent of chemical difference or fish species involved?

TIA

depends on the fish
sometimes merely matching temp is enuf
others they need a whole bloody week of acclimatisation
sigh

A Week!?! Holy cow.

it's always the tricky ones ya get cut about losin too

Yeah that's a shame.


Maybe you could help me with a more specific scenario?

I have a 55 gal planted tank. Tap water is pH 7.2, kH2, GH 5.
I have large chunks of Malaysian driftwood, that after 6 months
preparation probably still aren't ready for a tank, but look good
anyway. When sitting in tap water it causes a pH crash in no time. So
I'm preventing that in the tank with crushed coral in the filter. But
I still need to do large weekly water changes due to the driftwood
soup and fertilizer routine.

Now I'd like to add CO2 injection. I'm, expecting to add more crushed
coral to further raise the kH to a suitable level. If all goes
according to plan there would be a difference between the tank and tap
of about pH 6.8 & 7.2, kH 2 & 4 or so, GH yet unknown.

Is this too extreme for big water changes for Angels, blue rams,
otocinculous, Amano & Red Cherry Shrimp, Tai Flying fox, SAE's? Or
does it also have to do with the individual and its health?

Thanks

You have the right plan with the water changes
keep them small and regular
stability is the key here
I'd probably say your shrimp will be the 'canarys' as it were
start losing them or rams and you have to look at your regime
otherwise keep up the good work hey
Are your lights powerful enough for the plants to take advantage of the
extra co2?