Dechlorinator

[zub-typer]

All,

I'm looking for some advice..

I am well aware that chlorine is a danger to my tank, due to it breaking down the good bacteria.
I have a 350 litre tank, and want to do a 30-40% waterchange once a week.
The easiest bit is to syphon off the 30-40 % using a hose to outside.

Its the filling up bit that I'm unsure of;
Obviously i need to dechlorinate ?
-Ideally I would like to fill directly from the tap and dose the correct amount of de-chlorinator into the tank... is this possible ?

-Otherwise i'm going to have to fill, de-chlorinate and some how pour in about 10 bucket loads maybe more, which just isn't practical...

What can you suggest..

Also; is there an alternative to the commercially available de-chlorinators at a more cost effective price....


Thanks in advance for your comments and suggestions...

Z

 

[smegforbrains]

AquaSafe is the best IMO.

5ml per 2 UK gallons.


If you have a temperature probe, you can get the water temp roughly correct using hot and cold mix from the tap


I wouldn't pour water in then add the stuff with fish already in there - it needs to be mixed before adding to tank water.

 

[Nick16]

they have big bottles on zooplus' website. £7 or £8 for 500ml

 

[Miss Wiggle]

use pond dechlor's, they're much more concentrated as they're designed for large volumes of water. yes it's fine to add dechlor to the tank then fill up with the hose everyone i know with big tanks does this.

 

[andywg]

Just throw some dechlor in (either pond stuff or seachem prime is pretty good value for money), ram a hose on the cold water tap and fill it up.

Nice and easy.

 

[Behold]

I add dechlor as i go as i use a python. never had an issue. i also use old only and i get about a 4-5C drop in temp. Again no issue. infact my harliquins love it they come play in the cold water as it pumps in...

 

[tenohfive]

As above, and someone once told me to avoid using the hot water tap as some houses have old copper boilers and this can contaminate the water (albeit on a level thats harmless to people) and since then I've done up to 50% water changes with no issue - no need to worry about the temp, and the fish do seem to enjoy it.

 

[petertr]

I've never had a problem with adding up to 50% cold water. Some people have told me it can actually help the fish (make them hardy) - although no evidence to support this.


It seems the best way is to add the dechlor before adding the new water - I guess is floats around waiting to bond to any chlorine that may be in the water.

 

[flash22]

you mite as give away you money with aqua safe. (used to use it relised the cost over a year) i had to use 10ml per 2 gallon (10 litre) due to the hardness of the water

Api stress coat 5ml does 38 litres large bottle is £5.50 or there abouts.

i use an old tank fill it up mix in the stress coat and pump it into my tank nice and easy no back breaking buckets

 

[minxfishy]

I use pond dechlorinator (kusuri), 10mls does 100 gallons!!! So it last a very long time even on larger water changes.

Just add the required amount to the tank, then re-fill from the tap/hose easy peasy, if your at all concerned, add some dechlor prior, during and after the change.

 

[tibby25731]

I always add before, half way through and at the end when I do a large change on my large tank and use a hose. i don't think it is neccessary but am too paranoid to stop!

 

[Nick16]

I use pond dechlorinator (kusuri), 10mls does 100 gallons!!! So it last a very long time even on larger water changes.

Just add the required amount to the tank, then re-fill from the tap/hose easy peasy, if your at all concerned, add some dechlor prior, during and after the change.

i asked at the lfs if i could use the pond stuff but they said no becuase it had 'something' in it. i said yeah dechlor! so can i use any pond dechlor?

 

[Miss Wiggle]

pond dechlor is fine, they just sold you aquarium stuff cos it's more expensive!!!

 

[Nick16]

cheers MW. i have a pond so i can easily get the stuff, it shouldnt hurt the fish at all should it?

 

[Miss Wiggle]

no, it's the same stuff but in a different concentration as obviously ponds are usually a significantly larger body of water than aquariums.