De-chlorinator

[steve_b21]

Can i fill my tank up with water, and work out how much De-chlorinator to add? or do i have to mix it with water pre-hand?

Whats the best De-chlorinator to use?

This ok...

Tetra Aquasafe 500ml Water De-chlorinator ... £11.50 Delivered

 

[mark.w.jones]

If it's only a small water change. 2 buckets or less then it's worth mixing with the water in the bucket then tipping into the tank. If you have a small tank try as best as possible to match the temp. of the water you are adding to that in tank. Don't use the hot water tap as there is a chance of contamination. Microwave cold water in large squash bottles or mix in boiling water from a kettle. With a larger tank 30+ gallons, I just add cold water without matching it to the tank temp. as the water change itself does not lower the temp. much at all.

Most dechlorinators are fine. Look out for ones that neutralise chloromine as well as chlorine. The PFK website reviewed some if I remember rightly but you need to register to see them. I use Seachems Prime. It costs quite a bit more but lasts miles longer as you don't need to add much.

 

[steve_b21]

Tank is a large one, about 100 litres of water will be going in.

CLICK HERE

So it would be ok, to fill with water and then add the amount of De Chlorinater required?

Thanks for your help

 

[Tolak]

Add dechlor before, or while filling. I do this all the time, straight from a hose. Aquasafe is one of the top two dechlorinators, neck & neck with Prime as far as effectveness. Prime gives you more gallons dechlorinated per ml, Aquasafe is more readily available.

 

[orange shark]

theres 500ml of aquasafe on ebay for about £6

 

[cane76]

i have always dosed then filled from the hose like tolak

 

[orange shark]

why not fill then dose?

 

[Musho3210]

cause there would be chlorine in the tank

 

[rdd1952]

why not fill then dose?

That's what I do. Since I am using a python, it usually only takes about a minute or 2 for the tank to fill. That's not enough time for the chlorine to affect the fish or the bacteria. If you're using buckets though, I would just add it to the buckets before adding to the tank. As for measuring, I never do. You can't overdose so I just give it a squirt. Never had any problems at all.

 

[Musho3210]

takes me about 7 minutes or more to fill up my tank with a submersable pump in a bucket with tap water flowing into the bucket, its an electric python. Considering the headloss and the speed of the tap, it takes a while for around 35 gallons of water to fill up the tank. So thats 7 minutes of highly chlorinated water in my tank, i would never ever take the risk of not putting in dechlor first. But different people, different tanks, different ways of filling it etc.

 

[andywg]

takes me about 7 minutes or more to fill up my tank with a submersable pump in a bucket with tap water flowing into the bucket, its an electric python. Considering the headloss and the speed of the tap, it takes a while for around 35 gallons of water to fill up the tank. So thats 7 minutes of highly chlorinated water in my tank, i would never ever take the risk of not putting in dechlor first. But different people, different tanks, different ways of filling it etc.

Ah, but you are assuming that chlorinated water is bad for fish and your tank.

There are a few keepers (inclouding one or two on this board) who do not use dechlor for extended periods (6 months plus) with no il effects. Then there is the scientific research found by bignose indicating that many chloramine resistant strains of nitrosomonas and nitrospira (the bacteria in the filter) are turning up and actually feeding on the -amine part of the chloramine compound.

 

[rdd1952]

Do you know for a fact that dechlor works on water added AFTER the dechlor is put in? Most products only work on what is present when they are added such as Ammo-Lock. It will lock ammonia that is present at the time but not affect any added after it is put in the tank. Most dechlors Ive seen say they instantly remove chlorine but don't mention removing subsequent cchlorine. I'm not saying that adding it first doesn't work but just wondering where you got the info that it does.

 

[Musho3210]

the back of my prime bottle . maybe chlorine isnt that bad, maybe it is, but im not taking the risk seeing that my city tap water (we get our water from michigan lake and our water is pretty much the exact same water chicago has) it is loaded with chlorine, out of the tap you smell chlorine, you taste it when you drink, its got a lot of chlorine in it and im not taking the risk.

Does that mean i can rinse my filter media under tap water if chloramine helps feed bacteria?

 

[steve_b21]

Thanks for all the info people... seemed to have started a good debate off.

Anyway, i will add the De-Chlorinater in the tank, and then fill up with water.

 

[rdd1952]

You can always do it as you go. Squirt a litte as you start adding water, a little more when you're about half way full and then a little more after yu cut the water off.