A 55 Gallon Aquarium just like any other sort of aquarium, needs to be maintained properly, if the perfect environment is created for the fish and marine life residing in it. One task that should be part of any maintenance program that you have in place for a 55 Gallon Aquarium, is to change some of the water on a regular basis. Doing this helps to remove more of the waste and debris that can accumulate in them, as well are replenish certain nutrients that can be lost from the water over time. When, you actually change the water in a 55 Gallon Aquarium, will depend on a number of different factors. The first being what kind of aquarium it is - cold water, tropical or reef. The next thing will be whether you will be using purified, or tap water to replenish that which you have removed.
It is important to remember that even the most elaborate and expensive filtration systems you can get for a 55 Gallon Aquarium are not going to be able to clean every piece of waste, or every bit of nitrate from the water. These systems also don't have the capability of being able to replace those nutrients and minerals, which over time can be lost.
When Should I Change The Water?
You should be changing around 25 percent of the tank's water each week, as this will help to keep the nitrate levels in the water under control. If you intend to use water directly from a tap to replenish that which has been removed, then you need to carry out some tests first, to check the pH levels and the hardness of the water. Such test kits can be purchased online or through your local aquarium supply store, along with the products you need to get the chemical composition right in the water before adding it to the tank. Another thing to check when using tap water to replenish that which has been removed from your aquarium, is the nitrate levels in it. It is best if you don't use tap water where the levels of nitrate exceed 40 parts per million in the water. If they do, then you need to use another water source, or pass the water you intend to use through a water purifier.
What Equipment Do You Need To Change Water?
The essential items that you will need to change water, are two buckets (clean) and a siphoning kit, all of which can be purchased from either your local aquarium supply store or an online one. It is important that this equipment, when purchased, is only ever used for changing the water in your aquarium, and never for other tasks around the home. Storage of water that is going to replace that which is removed from a 55 gallon aquarium, should be kept in containers made from a food grade plastic. If not, the chances of chemicals that are harmful to the marine life in your tank leaching into the water, is increased. Any water that you are storing, should be kept in a dark location to prevent algae growth. If you can, place some form of aeration system (air stone) into the container so that oxygen levels remain high, and this will ensure that the water remains fresh. Plus, air stones are actually helpful at keeping the levels of pH within the water balanced. If you don't aerate the water in the containers regularly, then you will find over time it turns acidic, and when added to your 55 gallon aquarium can prove very detrimental to the health of the fish and marine life within.

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