For Aqua Dragons, it's generally advised not to perform complete water changes, as their aquatic environment is precisely balanced and crucial for their survival. Instead, focus on maintaining the existing water quality and levels.
Why Complete Water Changes Are Not Recommended
The water in your Aqua Dragons habitat has a very specific and delicate chemical composition. This special pH and salinity level is meticulously established by the contents of the Aqua Dragons eggs sachet when you first set up your tank. This unique environment is what allows the tiny Aqua Dragons to hatch and thrive.
Replacing this specialized water with new water, such as tap water or bottled water, would drastically alter these critical parameters.
- Tap water often contains chlorine, chloramines, heavy metals, and other chemicals that are harmful to Aqua Dragons. Its pH and mineral content are also unlikely to match the ideal conditions.
- Bottled water (spring, purified, or distilled) might be free of chlorine, but it still lacks the specific salinity and mineral balance essential for Aqua Dragons, which comes from the original sachet.
Introducing these external water sources can disrupt their carefully balanced ecosystem, leading to stress, illness, or even the death of your Aqua Dragons.
Essential Water Maintenance Practices
Instead of changing the water, focus on these practices to ensure a healthy habitat for your Aqua Dragons:
| Action | Recommendation | Key Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Complete Water Change | Do Not Perform | Disrupts the special pH and salinity levels established by the eggs sachet; harmful to Aqua Dragons. |
| Topping Up Evaporated Water | Use distilled or demineralized water. | Maintains water volume without introducing contaminants or altering salinity significantly. |
| Water Clarity | Remove debris and un-eaten food regularly using a pipette. | Prevents bacterial growth and keeps the water clean for your Aqua Dragons. |
| Temperature Control | Keep the habitat at a consistent, warm room temperature (around 20-27°C or 68-81°F). | Optimal for Aqua Dragons' metabolism and activity. |
Addressing Evaporation
Over time, water will naturally evaporate from your Aqua Dragons tank. This can lead to a gradual increase in the salinity of the remaining water, as the salts are left behind. To counteract this, it is recommended to top up the water level with distilled or demineralized water.
- How to add water: Carefully add a small amount of distilled water at a time, allowing it to mix, until the water level is restored to its original mark. Avoid sudden large additions.
- Why distilled water? Distilled water is pure H₂O, free from minerals, salts, and chemicals. Adding it replenishes the water volume without significantly altering the delicate balance of salts and minerals already present in the tank, helping to maintain a stable environment.
By understanding that complete water changes are detrimental and focusing on careful maintenance and topping up with appropriate water, you can ensure a long and healthy life for your Aqua Dragons.
