How Long Does Dechlorinator Take To Have An Effect?

[ThePiggy]

All the dechlorinators that I've used, worked instantly. They just need to be stirred in. They only work on chlorine though, not chloramine.

What makes you say that? The API Stress Coat that I use (I know, I know, use pond declor!), but anyway, it specifically says it works on the chlorine, chloramines, & heavy metals.

I was told that if it doesn't specifically say it deals with chloramines, then it doesn't. By someone in this forum, in fact.. (can't remember who it was though )

 

[Tolak]

All dechlorinators have sodium thiosulfate. It usually takes about double the dose of this to break the chlorine/ammonia bond in chloramine, as the first half will deal with any chlorine. This leaves you with ammonia.

Hydromethane sufinate, or a similar compound, will convert the ammonia present to ammonium, which is used the same as ammonia by your nitrifying bacteria, but is harmless to fish at levels found in an aquarium.

A single reagent nessler test will detect ammonium the same as ammonia. You need a two reagent salicylate test to discriminate ammonia from ammonium.

 

[Schmill]

All dechlorinators have sodium thiosulfate. It usually takes about double the dose of this to break the chlorine/ammonia bond in chloramine, as the first half will deal with any chlorine. This leaves you with ammonia.

Hydromethane sufinate, or a similar compound, will convert the ammonia present to ammonium, which is used the same as ammonia by your nitrifying bacteria, but is harmless to fish at levels found in an aquarium.

A single reagent nessler test will detect ammonium the same as ammonia. You need a two reagent salicylate test to discriminate ammonia from ammonium.

So the fact that the API Stress Coat specifically says it removes chloramines (as well as the other bits'n'bobs), presumably means that at the does they specify it does do this.
Also the API Freshwater Master Test Kit (or indeed the single box of the same test), for Ammonia uses a 2 bottle reagent test, so again I presume this is able to determine the difference, and won't detect Ammonium ?

 

[tenohfive]

Just in case anyone is wondering HOW MUCH ammonia is released when the bond break, I just did a water change.

Got my bucket of water, added my dechlor whilst it was filling and once I had a full bucket of water, took a sample and did an ammonia test on it.

Ammonia: 0 ppm

Do you actually have chloramine in your tap water? Not everyone does, it varies depending on who your water supplier is.

 

[Schmill]

Good point, no idea, I just presumed that it was in all tap water, and that I would have. How would I know?

Searched the website of my water supplier and it says about how they add chlorine to the water, and how they go about amking adjustments to to dosage if needed, but doesn't mention chloramine on there at all.

 

[tenohfive]

If you live in Luton you'll be getting your freshwater from 3 valleys right? You could contact them and ask them, but personally I wouldn't bother - most dechlors work on both chlorine and chloramine anyway.

 

[Schmill]

Yup, I'm on 3 Valleys

 

[saz326]

If you live in Luton you'll be getting your freshwater from 3 valleys right? You could contact them and ask them, but personally I wouldn't bother - most dechlors work on both chlorine and chloramine anyway.

Chloriamine does require a higher dosage of dechlorinator to disperse the chlorine contained in it. This should be stated on the back of any bottle of dechlorinator you have.

As suggested, chloramine is an amine - which means ammonia based. basically chlorine and ammonia bonded together. Stronger concentration of dechlorinator is required to break the bonds in the chloramine, thereby allowing the chlorine to be "mopped up" and the ammonia to be killed off by your filter.

sorry if i have repeated anyone - am on lunch break at work so rushing!

 

[Schmill]

If you live in Luton you'll be getting your freshwater from 3 valleys right? You could contact them and ask them, but personally I wouldn't bother - most dechlors work on both chlorine and chloramine anyway.

Chloriamine does require a higher dosage of dechlorinator to disperse the chlorine contained in it. This should be stated on the back of any bottle of dechlorinator you have.

As suggested, chloramine is an amine - which means ammonia based. basically chlorine and ammonia bonded together. Stronger concentration of dechlorinator is required to break the bonds in the chloramine, thereby allowing the chlorine to be "mopped up" and the ammonia to be killed off by your filter.

sorry if i have repeated anyone - am on lunch break at work so rushing!

I could be wrong, but I don't think that this means you should neccasarily 'double dose' your dechlor product though. If it says on the bottle that it deals with chloramines, I'd think that the dosage they prescribe should be enough to deal with it.

 

[Tolak]

If you live in Luton you'll be getting your freshwater from 3 valleys right? You could contact them and ask them, but personally I wouldn't bother - most dechlors work on both chlorine and chloramine anyway.

Chloriamine does require a higher dosage of dechlorinator to disperse the chlorine contained in it. This should be stated on the back of any bottle of dechlorinator you have.

As suggested, chloramine is an amine - which means ammonia based. basically chlorine and ammonia bonded together. Stronger concentration of dechlorinator is required to break the bonds in the chloramine, thereby allowing the chlorine to be "mopped up" and the ammonia to be killed off by your filter.

sorry if i have repeated anyone - am on lunch break at work so rushing!

I could be wrong, but I don't think that this means you should neccasarily 'double dose' your dechlor product though. If it says on the bottle that it deals with chloramines, I'd think that the dosage they prescribe should be enough to deal with it.

This depends on how much they use to disinfect your water supply. Not all suppliers are the same, and some do vary the dosage. Never trust your water supplier when it comes to aquatics.