De-chlorinator question

[Col]

Hello

I bought my first tropical fish tank yesterday, i set it all up, got the heater and filter going and added the de-chlorinator to the water. Trouble is, when i open the lid of the fish tank, i can smell chlorine! Is this normal? I added the right amount to the water i put in, i'm at a loss as to what the problem could be

Any help will be greatly appreciated B)

 

[BOD]

are you sure your not just being paranoid, smell the de chlorinator you are using and see if it has the same smell...if it does then i guess that everythings fine.

 

[Bloo]

Can you usually smell the chlorine in your tap water ? If you can, it must be like swimmingpool water
I doubt you are smelling chlorine, however I might be wrong.
As long as you dose as per instructions, you should be fine.

 

[freddyk]

If you're tap water has unusually high chlorine levels you may want to use a larger dose of dechlorinator. This one needs to be a judgement call on your part.

 

[IovaykInD]

I know how Col feels, before I put my de-chlorinator in, I could smell the chlorine. Pretty disgusting . Now, I put a little more de-chlorinator than the dosage says, because I need it.

Isaac

*EDITED FOR GRAMMAR*

 

[Bloo]

It's absolutly fine to put in more - it's almost impossible to overdose on dechlor. Though a double dose would be more than enough if in doubt.

 

[Col]

Well it certainly smells like chlorine, but it isn't overpowering or anything. The water that we get does tend to taste a bit 'metally', dunno whether that has anything to do with it. Plus the fact that this is a brand new tank, would it take a few days to get any remaining chlorine out the system?

 

[Bloo]

I will also strongly suggest that you get some water test kits (if you do not have already). For value for money and a consistently good product, I can recommend Aquarium Pharmaceuticals (API)
Most important to monitor in a new tank, would be ammonia and nitrite.
But getting PH as well as a nitrate tests as well is recommended.

 

[Col]

I will also strongly suggest that you get some water test kits (if you do not have already). For value for money and a consistently good product, I can recommend Aquarium Pharmaceuticals (API)
Most important to monitor in a new tank, would be ammonia and nitrite.
But getting PH as well as a nitrate tests as well is recommended.

Will these testers tell me whether there is any chlorine in there, or if it is all in my mind? Also, what should the aquarium water smell like normally, if it has a smell at all?

 

[Bloo]

No, they do not test for chlorine. To be honest, I do not know of a commercial chlorine tester, though no doubt there should be something like that.
However - you do need the tests I recommended (or whatever brand you prefer) if you want to help prevent your fish from getting ill due to poor water conditions (by monitoring the water and taking action if you see something is "wrong").

 

[IovaykInD]

Regular aquarium water shouldn't have a smell at all. If the water is clean, then it shouldn't have a smell. There are chlorine testers in pet stores, and also pool supply stores. Some of them even have pH and chlorine testers, so you should get those.

Isaac

 

[Col]

Well, i added some more de-chlorinator about 10 minutes ago and the chlorine smell hasn't gone, plus i smelt the de-chlorinator just to make sure that wasn't what i was smelling, and nope - it is definetly chlorine.

Do you think i should start again with the water??

 

[BOD]

hmmm thats weird..have you got a heater on in there as well?

id start again and add a double dose of de chlorinator that should defiantly eliminate the chlorine and if it smells then i dunno really...weird!

 

[Bloo]

I suggest you take the easy say out - take a sample to your lfs and ask them to test it for you

 

[Col]

hmmm thats weird..have you got a heater on in there as well?

id start again and add a double dose of de chlorinator that should defiantly eliminate the chlorine and if it smells then i dunno really...weird!

I have got a heater.

I was thinking though, the little tiny bubbles that collect on the sides of the tank when you first put new water in are starting to go - the chlorine isn't the end product of this, is it?