Water Change after rain?

[MYC]

I have read on another website that it is ill-advised to do a water change during or right after rain because the rain can change the water chemistry. Is this true or do some people take extra pre-cautions doing a water change while it's raining or right after it?

[Buckcich]

WC's induce spawning with my fish, combine with the drop of barometric pressure. I keep mostly Malawi's.
Mike go back to the site you mention and check if they referring to hard or soft water species

[bassgenie]

In NYC your water comes from upstate through pipes. Although, it might be true if you have well water.

[fischfan13]

http://forums.eastcoastcichlids.org/showthread.php?t=3667&highlight=barometric+pressure&nojs=1#community

http://badmanstropicalfish.com/cichlid_of_month/Spawning_with_the_Seasons.html

http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/aquarium/seasons.php

[triscuit]

It is very dependent on your water source, but most places in the northeast it won't matter much. If you have a private well, you will have different water quality conerns than someone with a municipal tap.

Typical concerns for post rainfall water quality are increased TDS, elevated phosphorus and nitrogen, and sometimes low oxygen content.... none of which will kill your tank. Instead, you'd see increased algae growth.

Now- if we're talking flooding where sewage gets mixed into the supply, that's a whole 'nother set of worries. But, basically if it's safe for you to drink, add some dechlorinator and it'll be safe for your tank.

[Terminal Cichness]

I heard some salt guys talking about huge algae blooms after Irene due to very high phosphate levels leaching into their make up water. They made the argument that this would have been prevented with a reverse osmosis system.

Maybe this is the same function that sparks the breeding tendency?

The only time I personally would hold off on a water change would be if there was a water boil advisory. I'd imagine the chlorine levels peak shortly afterwards too for those with auto fill systems.

[dsap92]

Long Island is mostly municipal ground water (although some areas still have wells). I have not seen any effect on the fish after large amounts of rain and runoff. I would think the water passing thru the ground filters many pollutants, although we do seem to have an issue with increasing Nitrate's in our ground water due to over fertilization runoff. Codes have been put in place limiting when Fertilizers can be put down in many jurisdictions, and more restrictions put on landscapers.

Cooler water changes seem to induce spawning. On two of my groups a 50% cool water change is spawn on demand regarless of low pressure or not. I don't think it has anything to do with Phosphate or Nitrate levels in the water going in to the tank. I could believe that the better water quality in the tank after a water change may have a part in triggering a spawn.

[Dylz]

how much cooler than the original tank water?

[dsap92]

how much cooler than the original tank water?

I usually lose about 5 degrees. The water going in is usually around 68. Tanks are between 78 & 80.

[Dylz]

didnt realize they could take such a swing in temp. interesting thanks

[Heyguy74]

I would be careful about dropping temps too much and too quickly for rift lake cichlids. Its not normal for them to see such temerature swings. South American or other riverine species fish will see such big temperature drops once the rainy season starts. 10 degress or more is not uncommon after a day or two. It will help to induce spawing for SA fish. The larger rift lake temps, do not fluctuate much, between the rainy season and the dry season.

[Dylz]

yeh thats what i thought, hey Will, what do you think about a 5 degree drop over a water change for tangs?

[Heyguy74]

yeh thats what i thought, hey Will, what do you think about a 5 degree drop over a water change for tangs?


They probably wont like it. I wouldnt do it. I dont think it will kill them but its def more than I would like to see.

[Dylz]

so if i wanted to drop the temp during todays water changes on my troph tanks to induce spawning how many degrees cooler should i make it?

[cichfrk]

yeh thats what i thought, hey Will, what do you think about a 5 degree drop over a water change for tangs?I remember I tried it once on my trophs to induce spawning(as what they said). They didn't like it, I saw some body twitching. They are very sensitive to drops in temps.

[dsap92]

Malawi's aren't even phased by the temp swing. My Tangs always seem a little sluggish for the first hour after the water change, but after that they are very active.