Habitat - Outdoor :: changing water

[Terryo]

I have loads of pictures...but I am sorry I don't know how to post them here. I could e-mail them and maybe you could post them for me. I am not the greatest on this comp.
Terry

[DavidY]

If you are using any kind of web host for your photos you can just put a link to your pictures in your posts. Otherwise I can PM you my email address so you can send them to me and I can post them for you.

[Terryo]

I will give you my E-mail address and you can post them. I will send them to you. OK? Should I post it on here?

[sillyleisl]

I just figured that part out about using plants to help with algae. I just bought her more anacharis and I can see the bottom of the pond. But it also rained a lot so that may be contributing to the clearer water as well. We'll see in a week or so if it stays that clear. I would also like to plant more plants around her space. Any suggestions for what kinds of land plants would be safe for her?

[cheech&chong]

I really either don't know anything or I don't pay attention...
Do you have to mix the neutralizer with the water before you pour it into the tank? I don't even know how I could do that... I have to fill this bucket like 6 times to get enough water to fill the tank, so I just add the conditioner while I fill the tank only minutes before I put the turtles back in.
I drain the tank every two weeks (30 gallon) and clean everything with a brush and fresh water, no soap or detergent.

Am I doing this wrong?

[DavidY]

I usually only drain enough water to do a thorough vacuuming of the gunk on the bottom of the tank (usually about 10% to 20% of the water volume). And I only do this about once or twice a month as the gunk accumulates around the rocks and corners. As long as you have a decent filter and you rinse the filter media every week (or as it starts to get gunked up), a partial water change should be enough.

As for the conditioner, you could just add some to each bucket of water as you fill it up from the faucet. Use the recommended dose per gallon of tap water in the bucket and then add it to the tank. The conditioner works very quickly to neutralize the chlorine in the water.

[steve]

If you do a complete change every 2 weeks, I'd be tempted to stop using a dechlorinator unless there was another reason to do so.

[Terryo]

I have been using Stress Coat for years in my ponds and in my tanks when ever I do a partial water change. I almost never do a full water change in anything.
Terry

[Holiday Rambler]

I would just pour in the conditioner at the same time that the pond was filling, and let the water flow do the mixing.

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that's what I do.

[Terryo]

The Water Garden's Tip of the Week

Many are tempted to drain a pond to eliminate algae. Completely draining and refilling your pond upsets the natural ecosystem that is established, thus delaying the development of a healthy, clear, and balanced pond. If at all possible this practice should be avoided. The green water typically returns in several days after emptying a pond. However, a partial water change (up to 25%) every few weeks can be beneficial. See our page on algae control for better alternatives to maintaining clear pond water.

Algae Control
http://watergarden.com/pages/pond-algae.html

I get a tip every week from this site, and thought you would like to read it. Some of them are really helpful.

[SpotsMama]

Thanks for tip on the water garden site. I bookmarked it.