Python Gravel Vaccuum

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Shy2

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I was considering purchasing one of those Python hoses that you use to clean the gravel and do the water changes.
 
 
Just wondering about when you add the water back into the tank.  I have been using a bucket, and add the water treatment to the bucket, then dump the treated water into the tank.
 
With this python, it puts the tap water directly into the tank without add the water treatment. 
Is it ok to do this, and then add the treatment directly to the tank?  Should you add the treatment to the tank before you add the tap water or after?
 
Thanks again for your help.  I am so happy I found this forum.  I had a tank for 10 years, but it has been about 8 years since we took it down.  I wasn't aware of all of the information I am learning now, especially the cycling part.
 
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Add the tap water dechlorinator/conditioner directly into the tank before refilling and dose only for the amount of water volume you are replacing, unless you are treating the water with Seachem Prime or Seachem Safe with these types of conditioners that convert ammonia, nitrite and nitrate into less toxic forms and they can only do that if  you dose for the full tank and nothing to do with the dechlorination of the water.
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You don't have to add dechlorinator before adding the new water in. In fact some fish-keepers feel that exposing the fish to the chlorine in your water for a short period may be beneficial in terms of fighting bacterial infections. Infection or not, exposure to come chlorine isn't going to harm your fish. 
 
I often will add my dechlorinator half way through refilling but even then it's just so the water circulation swirls it around to do it's job. 
 
The answer is yes, it's perfectly safe to refill your tank this way. Just before your tank is dechlorinate before switching any filters back on. Regarding the advice above to add only as much dechlorinator as for the water you're replacing. I've never heard this advice before and have always read to dose for the entire tank.It's not like you're going to over dose it but I guess it may be harsh on the pocket. 
 
Dechlorinators work by a process called "reduction" and as a result create Ammonia, add excess and the Sodium thiosulfate that is fundamentally the dechlorinator will continue to decompose other organics and go on the create even more ammonia especially if you have a high pH value and high temperatures, and it will be needlessly harsh on the pocket too!
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Thanks for your help. 
 
When I add the water, I add the Conditioner.  Do I also add Stress Zyme?
 
Sorry, but I am trying to get my head around everything I have to remember to do.  I have just finished ordering the Python, so want to be prepared to use it properly, and keep my tank healthy.
 
Add the conditioner then the water. Stress Zyme is basically sold as a sludge buster, dose this once the tank is refilled even though API recommend treating with this product weekly (as they want you to buy loads of the stuff) monthly or twice a month treatment would suffice!
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I turn off heater, filter etc pour in only enough dechlorinator for the water I'm replacing and then turn the hose on and fill up. 
I've Never used stress zyme, carbon, salts or any other extra things in any of my tanks, just simply water and dechorinator and have Never had a single problem, no visible stress, no disease or any hint of ammonia, Nitrite 
 
No idea what is the exact "recommended" way, but this works fine for me. 
 

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