Question about heating up water used for water change

k_dog345 · Jan 31, 2016

Hey guys. This question might be silly. But I have only one heater, currently the temp of the water in going to use is at 71. While my tank is around 78.

So, is it a bad idea to heat a pot of saltwater on the stove then mix it in with the remaining water to be changed in order to bring the temp up to 78?

I the only thing I can think that may happen is it would bring the salinity a little up due to evaporation, but I wouldn't think the difference would be that much greater. To me, a little bit of salinity difference is not as bad as a 7 degree temp difference that would shock the system

TheEngineer · Jan 31, 2016

There is nothing wrong with heating that way albeit a bit silly

How big is the tank and how much water are you changing? Also, what is the room temp?

mcarroll · Jan 31, 2016

Your room temp water will be fine!

Keep it simple!

slief · Jan 31, 2016

The need to match temps is all relative to how large the system volume is and how large of a water change you are going to do. What you want to avoid is a sudden large change in the display water temp as that will stress fish out and can result in an ich outbreak. I change out 5 gallons a day in 1 gallon increments on a 650 gallon volume system. My new salt water is around 55* right now and the tank is around 77. My 5 gallon a day water changes make no difference in my system temp. If I were doing large single volume water changes, I would be more concerned about the temp of the NSW as it could result in a sudden swing in display temp. A shift of 1 degree or even 2 in the display over the course of several minutes isn't a problem but anymore than that I would avoid.

As far as heating water on the stove, I don't see that as an issue.

k_dog345 · Jan 31, 2016

Thanks for the reply guys, the water change is for a biocube 14. So it's pretty easy to chill the aquarium with the water change, which is why I ask. I do around a 3 gallon water change for the tank.

I'm a little protective over my tank after some of the stuff it's been through lately. Just tired of loosing life! So maybe I'm being a bit over analytical lol

cmcoker · Jan 31, 2016

k_dog345 said:
Thanks for the reply guys, the water change is for a biocube 14. So it's pretty easy to chill the aquarium with the water change, which is why I ask. I do around a 3 gallon water change for the tank.

I'm a little protective over my tank after some of the stuff it's been through lately. Just tired of loosing life! So maybe I'm being a bit over analytical lol

I do the same volume on the same tank, no heating. Now if new water is 50° I'd heat but 70°s is fine.
If you want to heat up some of the water, just microwave a 32oz cup of the new water. I have done that when my new water was stored in the garage during winter. I have a couple Dickies cups I use for tank stuff.

ermartin · Jan 31, 2016

I never heat winter spring summer or fall

inetjnky · Jan 31, 2016

For biocube 29 where I do a 5g change a week I use two heaters, 50w and 100w... Just what I had laying around. Put both those in the container with a pump to circulate the water. Brings it up to temp in a few hours relatively easily.

Acan Skywalker · Feb 1, 2016

I change five gallons of a seventy gallon system every three days using Instant Ocean Reef Crystals that I temperature & salinity match, then cure for a day or two. Even though all salt mixtures contain buffers & other chemicals that set pH levels, it doesn't happen right away. IMO water chemistry is best stabilized by reaching temperature & mixing well, at least 24 hours.
Just my two cents.

Salty1962 · Feb 1, 2016

I always use a heater to assure consistency of my water change parameters. JMO

inetjnky · Feb 1, 2016

Acan can you define "cure for a day or two"? I've had IO reef crystals precipitate after mixing more then 24 hours. I won't ever do it again. I mix till it dissolved and brought up to temp then in the tank it goes. Sometimes that's as short as 4 hours.

MikeyAl · Feb 1, 2016

ermartin said:
I never heat winter spring summer or fall

I agree. I simply make the water ahead of time and bring the buckets upstairs near DT and let it get to room temp overnight.

Jgeyer13 · Mar 10, 2021

cmcoker said:
I do the same volume on the same tank, no heating. Now if new water is 50° I'd heat but 70°s is fine.
If you want to heat up some of the water, just microwave a 32oz cup of the new water. I have done that when my new water was stored in the garage during winter. I have a couple Dickies cups I use for tank stuff.

Let the water jug run under how water in the bath!

driftin · Mar 10, 2021

inetjnky said:
For biocube 29 where I do a 5g change a week I use two heaters, 50w and 100w... Just what I had laying around. Put both those in the container with a pump to circulate the water. Brings it up to temp in a few hours relatively easily.

Same here, I use some spare heaters I had in the closet. For a 3-gallon water change, even a cheap 10-20W heater would do the trick.