Treating Tap Water

[BigRed08]

Hi all,

Is it safe or recommended to treat tap water with Tetra aqua safe??

I've done a few water changes with out using anything and tha fish seem okay.

Just wanted to know if it would be beneficial at all

 

[vinylman]

Hi all,

Is it safe or recommended to treat tap water with Tetra aqua safe??

Yes, that's what it's for.

 

[rabbut]

hi there

Tap water contains either clorine, or cloramine. Both can damage your fishes gills, and can have adverse effects on your filter bactiria. You should use a tap water condtioner, such as Tetra Aqua Safe, every time you add tap water to your aquarian. Adding tap water without using tap water conditioner, ar leaving it to stand in an airated bucket for 24-48 hours prior to adding to your tank, could kill your fish directly, by attacking your fishes gills, or indirectly, by killing the filter bactiria, causing an ammonia or nitrite spike, poisoning the fish to death.

You are quite lucky to have got off without any problems up untill now, if you have not used any tap water conditioners. I would surgest that you are tempting fate however, if you continue to add tap water without conditioning it first.

regards
rabbut

 

[andywg]

You are quite lucky to have got off without any problems up untill now, if you have not used any tap water conditioners. I would surgest that you are tempting fate however, if you continue to add tap water without conditioning it first.

However...

Many people have kept fish successfully for years without ever using a dechlorinator, and without stading the water for any length of time.

There is a body of evidence that filter bacteria feed on chloramine, and two people on another forum have trialled no dechlorinator for over 6 months with no ill effects. Miss Wiggle went a long time as well IIRC.

I cannot recommend anyone stops using dechlorinator, but I would never truly moan at them for not using one, if that is how they choose to do it.