Can Water Purifier/stress Coat Expire Or Go Bad?

[BigN_187]

I'm about to replace evaporated water, and when I opened the water treatment/purifier, I noticed it has an incredibly foul odor. The brand is TetraAqua Aqua Safe. I picked it up at a yard sale a couple weeks ago. It's never been used, but I just want to make sure this is normal before I treat my water with it.

Also, this is somewhat off-topic, but when doing water changes or replacements, is it harmful to the bacteria colony to add untreated tap water? I'm not concerned about my fish, they are all hardy, and it's a small (>25%) water change, but I want to make sure it wont harm the bacteria, as I am in the process of modifying my filtration.

 

[creeker]

Funny you should ask this. I manage a Drug store in a large chain here in the U.S. Just yesterday I found a bunch of bottles of Aqua Safe in the stockroom that were expired. The expiration date is stamped on the bottom of the bottle.
If your fish could survive the 25% change with plain tapwater, then certainly the bacteria could too. I'd be afraid of harming the fish, even if they are hardy. But I do know people that do partial changes without de-chlor. Just not me.
By the way, I just smelled my new bottle (expires 11/2014) and there is no strong smell.

 

[Aquascaper]

If your fish could survive the 25% change with plain tapwater, then certainly the bacteria could too.

I can't believe a pharmacist could make such a statement....why do you think chlorine is put in tapwater? To kill bacteria!

Fish have a much higher tolerance to chlorine than bacteria do so just because a fish can handle the chlorine in tapwater doesn't mean bacteria can.

A small amount of tapwater wouldn't cause a huge problem, ie. a small top off due to evaporation, but anything over 10% IMO runs the risk of harming the bacterial colonies in your filter.

 

[elmo666]

Seconded Aquascaper. Moreover, why take the chance? Just get your water ready and let the chlorine gas off over 24hrs or so. Ok, that won't lock up the heavy metals, but it's the chlorine that has the potential to do far more harm.

 

[BigN_187]

Funny you should ask this. I manage a Drug store in a large chain here in the U.S. Just yesterday I found a bunch of bottles of Aqua Safe in the stockroom that were expired. The expiration date is stamped on the bottom of the bottle.
If your fish could survive the 25% change with plain tapwater, then certainly the bacteria could too. I'd be afraid of harming the fish, even if they are hardy. But I do know people that do partial changes without de-chlor. Just not me.
By the way, I just smelled my new bottle (expires 11/2014) and there is no strong smell.

I honestly couldnt find a date anywhere on my bottle, but considering what you said about there not being a strong smell, I guess I'll play it safe and just throw it all out.

As for the water changes, yeah. I usually don't risk it even though I know they can handle it, but I was just asking for future reference.

Thanks for all the help.

EDIT: I hadnt seen the other responses before I posted this.

Okay, well at least my hopes werent up for more than 10 seconds Thanks again.