Running Low On Water De-Chlorinator

[brian2708]

Hi. I'm running low on the Tetrasafe anti-chlorinator and am wondering what is best to replace with.

I see a lot of people use Seacham Prime, but unsure if this is good for a currently fish-in cycle, due to it locking the ammonia thus preventing my a-bacs from feeding.

Is this true, or did I just talk out of my bottom?

Thanks

 

[BigbruiserAl]

Prime can be used during cycling mate

 

[Littlemonkey]

I buy pond de-chlor, does exactly the same and treats more for your pound. As I have three tanks and do weekly water changes it saves me a fortune.

 

[OldMan47]

The biggest advantage that I have seen with Prime is that it is dirt cheap to use. A bottle may cost a bit more than a similar sized bottle of another product but at 1 ml per 10 gallons, I figure my 500 ml bottle is a multi-year supply for all of my 26 tanks. Since it cost me less than $20 on line, including shipping costs, the value is easy for me to see.

 

[brian2708]

Excellent. Thanks guys! A litre bottle can had at a reasonable price on a well known auction site.

 

[OldMan47]

Brian: Unless you have lots of tanks, there is no point in buying such a large amount of Prime. My 500 ml bottle is several years old already and I am running 26 tanks.

 

[brian2708]

Ah ok fair enough. Thanks for that!

 

[brian2708]

Hi.

I have another question. Seachem recommend 5ml of prime per 200l.

When I get my new tank setup which is a 200l, am I able to do a water change (with the filter disabled using the aquastop valve), then dose the tank with the prime, or is it not good practise to put un-chlorinated water in with fish?

 

[fluttermoth]

Brian; you need to put the dechlorinator in before you start refilling.

 

[KkAaNnEe]

Don't you also need to put enough for the whole tank, if you are adding directly?

 

[eaglesaquarium]

The biggest advantage that I have seen with Prime is that it is dirt cheap to use. A bottle may cost a bit more than a similar sized bottle of another product but at 1 ml per 10 gallons, I figure my 500 ml bottle is a multi-year supply for all of my 26 tanks. Since it cost me less than $20 on line, including shipping costs, the value is easy for me to see.

I use API's Tap Water Conditioner - also dirt cheap, and uses only 1 mL for 5 gallons if chloramines are present in your water. Even though you use more, IF your water has chloramines. If there are not chloramines, you use less. It works out to be the same price overall, $5.69 for 16 oz versus $11.89 for 500mL. If you are lucky enough not to have chloramines, then I think API's TWC is actually a better deal. (Prices quoted from Fosterandsmith)

Don't you also need to put enough for the whole tank, if you are adding directly?

What would be the point of adding enough for the entire tank if you are only doing a partial water change? If I am only adding 5 gallons of water to a 20 gallon tank, why add enough dechlorinator for the full 20 gallons. Only 5 gallons worth should be added.

I have never added straight to my tank though... I've only added to the bucket I was using to refill. I dechlorinate as I go. Add a 5 gallon bucket of water - add enough dechlorinator for 5 gallons, plus a bit extra just to be safe and then put it into the tank.

 

[fluttermoth]

Don't you also need to put enough for the whole tank, if you are adding directly?

Yes, you do

 

[brian2708]

Brian; you need to put the dechlorinator in before you start refilling.

No problem.

I already do so with my current 63l tank, just going to need a bigger bucket for the new 200l

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Don't you also need to put enough for the whole tank, if you are adding directly?

Yes, you do

Can you explain the chemistry of that? Is it a "better safe than sorry" kind of thing? Or is there a more clinical reason?

 

[StandbySetting]

You don't necessarily have to, but it ensures that all of the chlorine is dealt with quickly, if you only dose for the water added you have to wait for the dechlorinator to come into contact with the chlorine for the reaction to occur, if you increase the concentration of the dechlorinator the probability of the chlorine coming into contact with it is higher so it is neutralised quicker.