Water Changing Conditioning

[alphauk101]

This is a bit of a silly question but when it comes changing obviously I use conditioner but do I measure out the amount required for the tank capacity or the amount of water I'm putting in e.g.

Measure out 90 litres worth of wc and share that between the buckets of water

Or just 5 litres shot worth for each bucket I change

I don't think iv worded that well but u catch my drift

i am worried that I'm not putting enough in and killing my cycle

 

[shane87]

only the amoount of water your changing

 

[alchemist]

It is easier to dose for the entire tank than try and put small doses into each bucket.

What I do is take out the water im changing. Then I add the dose for my entire tank (25ml for 200l) into the first bucket. Then I just add water straight from the tap into all the other bucket loads and put it straight in until I am done.

 

[Curiosity101]

It is easier to dose for the entire tank than try and put small doses into each bucket.

What I do is take out the water im changing. Then I add the dose for my entire tank (25ml for 200l) into the first bucket. Then I just add water straight from the tap into all the other bucket loads and put it straight in until I am done.

^^ That's such a waste of money...

When I do changes on my 125l I refill using 12l buckets. I simply dose what is required for the 12l(in my case this is 1.5ml). The water already in the tank has already been conditioned so there is no need to add any extra.

 

[shane87]

It is easier to dose for the entire tank than try and put small doses into each bucket.

What I do is take out the water im changing. Then I add the dose for my entire tank (25ml for 200l) into the first bucket. Then I just add water straight from the tap into all the other bucket loads and put it straight in until I am done.

^^ That's such a waste of money...

When I do changes on my 125l I refill using 12l buckets. I simply dose what is required for the 12l(in my case this is 1.5ml). The water already in the tank has already been conditioned so there is no need to add any extra.

yep i do the exact same its 10ml for every 60l and i use a 12l bucket for my 200 litre tank...so its only like 1-2ml per bucket

 

[alchemist]

When I do changes on my 125l I refill using 12l buckets. I simply dose what is required for the 12l(in my case this is 1.5ml). The water already in the tank has already been conditioned so there is no need to add any extra.

This is working well for you as you are treating each bucket as they go in. I just found this a laborious process. Eventually I want to switch to a DIY python - so will need to be treating for the whole tank anyway.

 

[Curiosity101]

You still only need to treat the tank for the amount of water you put in.

Eg. Change 40l using a python. You dose the main tank for the 40l you are about to put in...which would be...5ml? It's just alot cheaper is all I'm saying, and also it means there is no risk of you overdosing the tank.

 

[coldcazzie]

Eg. Change 40l using a python. You dose the main tank for the 40l you are about to put in...which would be...5ml? It's just alot cheaper is all I'm saying, and also it means there is no risk of you overdosing the tank.

While I agree with you on the cheapness aspect - quite a lot of the really experienced board members recommended dosing for the entire tank if you're filling with a hose.

However, no-one has, as yet, been able to provide a reason for why this is, despite being asked by many different people (including me!) on many different occasions!

 

[Curiosity101]

At a guess they may be suggesting that the physical particles of the conditioner are too spread out too work quickly enough to eradicate chlorine + heavy metals etc.

But I personally think that's absolute rubbish, compared the volume of water it's being put into, although this would mean putting 5x the amount of conditioner in it's 0.025% of conditioner in the water if it's the proper dose and it's 0.125% conditioner if you dose the whole tank.

So long as you have a good filter that is circulating water properly then I don't see any reason it wouldn't mix fully within a matter of minutes.

Or, perhaps the 'really experienced' members have just done this for so long that they consider it the 'best' way. I mean if they haven't had a problem with unexplained/premature fish deaths etc, then they clearly can't be overdosing to a dangerous level, so fine if they want to do it that way.
But I personally can't see a single problem with dosing the amount you are replacing. (If you actually look up what your conditioner does Ie. how many ppm of chlorine, chloramine and heavy metals it neutralises, then check your water supplys levels. You will probably find it's 3x what you with the recommended dose anyways).

I found that my conditioner is about 6x the dose I would need to actually neutralise the chlorine, chloramine and heavy metals.

 

[Inchworm]

If you are using a bucket, add the recommended dose to neutralize the amount of water in it and add it to your tank. If you are using a python, add the amount to neutralize the entire amount of water in the tank. It is harmless and this insures that all new water is instantly treated. It will be gone in a day or two and leaves no residue.

A basic conditioner like API is fine for this. Dosing rules, and results, might vary for products that contain additional (usually unnecessary) ingredients.

 

[alchemist]

I found that my conditioner is about 6x the dose I would need to actually neutralise the chlorine, chloramine and heavy metals.

So effectively you are dosing for the whole tank if your using their recommended dose and doing a 15% water change.
I think I am going to go get a chlorine test kit from the local swimming pool shop and try lower doses

 

[waterdrop]

Eg. Change 40l using a python. You dose the main tank for the 40l you are about to put in...which would be...5ml? It's just alot cheaper is all I'm saying, and also it means there is no risk of you overdosing the tank.

While I agree with you on the cheapness aspect - quite a lot of the really experienced board members recommended dosing for the entire tank if you're filling with a hose.

However, no-one has, as yet, been able to provide a reason for why this is, despite being asked by many different people (including me!) on many different occasions!

I'm with you. I'm among those who repeat this advice without particularly understanding it. In my own case I consider conditioner to be cheap insurance for the more expensive investment in fish and effort, but still I'd be interested in an explanation that made sense.

One thing that does make sense to me is that the colonies are still maturing for more or less the entire first year and it makes sense to me to be even more careful during your first year.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[drobbyb]

I agree. I have been treating the entire volume of the tank for as long as I have had a python, and frankly I have had zero problems (suprise!)

Seriously though, I would rather spend an extra few cents to protect my stock. They are just far too valuable (both sentimental and cash value) to chance it to save a few cents.

 

[Tolak]

Eg. Change 40l using a python. You dose the main tank for the 40l you are about to put in...which would be...5ml? It's just alot cheaper is all I'm saying, and also it means there is no risk of you overdosing the tank.

While I agree with you on the cheapness aspect - quite a lot of the really experienced board members recommended dosing for the entire tank if you're filling with a hose.

However, no-one has, as yet, been able to provide a reason for why this is, despite being asked by many different people (including me!) on many different occasions!

I'm with you. I'm among those who repeat this advice without particularly understanding it. In my own case I consider conditioner to be cheap insurance for the more expensive investment in fish and effort, but still I'd be interested in an explanation that made sense.

One thing that does make sense to me is that the colonies are still maturing for more or less the entire first year and it makes sense to me to be even more careful during your first year.

~~waterdrop~~

http/www.seachem.com/support/forums/show...highlight=Prime

I knew there was a reason, I just couldn't remember why.

 

[drobbyb]

Nice find Tolak!