55 Gallon Aquarium - The Water Needs Changing

55 gallon aquariums just like any other size of aquarium need to be cared for correctly in order to establish the right kind of environment for the fish residing in the tank.  One thing that needs to be done regularly is that you need to change some (not all) of the water in your 55 gallon aquarium on a regular basis, in order to remove waste and debris that has built up in it, and replenish essential nutrients that have been lost.

When you actually change the water in your aquarium will depend largely on whether it is cold water, tropical or reef tank.  Also it will depend on whether the water being replaced comes from a tap or is purified.

What you need to remember is although you may have the best filtration system in your aquarium, it will not be able to remove every single piece of waste of nitrates from it.  Also these filtration systems do not have the capability of being able to replenish those essential nutrients and minerals in the water that the fish will need.

55 Gallon Aquarium - How Often Should The Water Be Changed?

With a 55 gallon aquarium you should be changing around 25% of the old water for new every week or so, in order to keep nitrate levels in the tank low.  If you are going to be using water directly from a tap then before adding it, you need to check its hardness and pH levels.  Today you can buy specialist kits either from your local aquarium supply store on online that will see if you need to do anything to the water to get the chemical composition right before adding it to the tank.

When changing water in your aquarium, make sure that you check the levels of nitrate in the water you are adding.  If you find that the levels of nitrate in the water you are going to be adding exceed 40 parts per million, then you need to use an alternative water source or fit your aquarium with a water purifier.

55 Gallon Aquarium - Water Changing Equipment

To change the water in your aquarium you will need two buckets and a siphoning kit.  All these items can be purchased either through your local aquarium supply store or by going online.  What you should never do is use these items for other tasks around the home other than to change the water in the aquarium so, no using the buckets to wash your car.

If you intend to store water that you will then be putting into your aquarium in the future, make sure that the containers are made from a food grade plastic.  If not then the chances of chemicals leaching into the water being stored in them is increased, and these can prove to be harmful to the fish in your aquarium.

Plus you must make sure that the containers are kept in a dark location to prevent algae growth in the water, and installing an air stone in them will ensure that oxygen is being supplied to it, and this in turn will keep the water fresh.  These items can also help to keep the pH levels at a normal level in the water as well.  If water is left to stand (not aerated) over time it can turn acidic and adding such water to your 55 gallon aquarium can cause problems for the fish and marine life in it.

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