CichlidFish.com - Fish That Think.

When you all clean your tanks, do you always use water conditioner?? Is that all you use or do you add bacteria helper, salt or any other things??? I usually just use 3 or 4 drops of water conditioner to de-chlorophy the tap, i just worry about the whole time i am filling up the tank he hangs out right were i am pouring and i usually de-chlorofie it AFTER i am done filling, so he has chlorine water poured directly onto him, Is that ok??  Thanks

Lindsay wrote:When you all clean your tanks, do you always use water conditioner?? Is that all you use or do you add bacteria helper, salt or any other things??? I usually just use 3 or 4 drops of water conditioner to de-chlorophy the tap, i just worry about the whole time i am filling up the tank he hangs out right were i am pouring and i usually de-chlorofie it AFTER i am done filling, so he has chlorine water poured directly onto him, Is that ok??  Thanks

I think it depends on the amount of Chlorine in the tap water. I've never de-chlorinated water here in West TX for aquariums, and have never had any ill-effects. However, I would recommend, just to be on the safe side, that you do it. Better safe than sorry!

We put water conditoner in after every tank cleaning.

I think it depends on the amount of Chlorine in the tap water.

Quit a few people seem to use nothing since they have low levels of chlorine in their tap water.(and watch large water changes)
But you have to watch out for spikes in Chlorine from your water company and also watch the trend of water co's switching to Chloramine.
  Chloramine is a blend of chlorine and ammonia ,so you have to treat for both.


Personally - I hate adding anything to water,while conditioners "remove" chlorine , they still change water and add something else.

I use the cheap easy, add nothing methode. An inline carbon filter  removes chlorine and Chloramine without adding something else. And over the life of an aquarium (especially multiples) it's cheaper as well.

stilllearnin wrote:

I think it depends on the amount of Chlorine in the tap water.

Quit a few people seem to use nothing since they have low levels of chlorine in their tap water.(and watch large water changes)
But you have to watch out for spikes in Chlorine from your water company and also watch the trend of water co's switching to Chloramine.
  Chloramine is a blend of chlorine and ammonia ,so you have to treat for both.


Personally - I hate adding anything to water,while conditioners "remove" chlorine , they still change water and add something else.

I use the cheap easy, add nothing methode. An inline carbon filter  removes chlorine and Chloramine without adding something else. And over the life of an aquarium (especially multiples) it's cheaper as well.

For Chlorine, we used to simply set the water out for a couple of days and the chlorine would disappear. Does that work with Chloramine too?

For Chloramine I haven't tried leaveing water out (or the air stone methode either) but from what I've read it doesn't work.

from wikipedia

Aquarium owners must remove the chloramine from their tap water because it is toxic to fish. Aging the water for a few days removes chlorine but not the more stable chloramine, which can be neutralised using products available at pet stores.

Where do i get the carbon filter that takes out chlorine? Or does the normal filters for my whisperfilter do that?? So would you say its worse to add conditioner than to add nothing?? what about just a drop or two?? thanks so much everyone!!

Lindsay wrote:Where do i get the carbon filter that takes out chlorine? Or does the normal filters for my whisperfilter do that?? So would you say its worse to add conditioner than to add nothing?? what about just a drop or two?? thanks so much everyone!!

I don't think it's bad to add water conditioner for chlorine at all. The amount to add is clearly stated in the instructions, and if used poses no health threat to the fish. However, although not dangerous, it can be unnecessary. If you don't know whether your tap water has toxic levels of chlorine or not, it's probably better to go ahead and use it. It's cheaper than testing the water!

Lindsay wrote:Where do i get the carbon filter that takes out chlorine? Or does the normal filters for my whisperfilter do that?? So would you say its worse to add conditioner than to add nothing?? what about just a drop or two?? thanks so much everyone!!

1st - I'm not a fan of carbon in filters and I don't count on it for anything (just to hard to try to keep track of).

As for filter for removeing Chlorine , you get get them at home improvement stores and many department stores. Usually $30.00 or less for everything you need. (look or ask for "whole house water filters")

They also sell similar types of filters "for fish water changes" at larger pet stores.  Those usually cost $60 - $100 and treat less water though.

I don't think it's bad to add water conditioner for chlorine at all.

I'll agree with Mark on that 
For the reason it's the lesser of two evils.

Personally I try to add NOTHING to my water. Think about it this way.
When you breath, you want air , something you spray in the air could take away smoke or smells but you still breath whatever you added.

Same thing happens with Fish. Anything in their water eventually passes (and effects) their gills and the rest of their organs.(even more so then  air does for us.)

We think chemical (insert name)  "makes water better" is great but just because we think that doesn't make it true.

For more on the subject search for information about
"Osmosis"
or "Do fish drink"

Excellent post Stilllearnin!

Personally I try to add NOTHING to my water.

Refreshing advice, although probably not appreciated by the aquarium chemical giants. 

I also like to add as little as possible to the water.  However, since becoming a follower ot the "large water change" school, and having some fairly good-size tanks, I have modified that stance somewhat  NYC water is pretty good.  Comes out of the pipe right about neutral, and usually without an overpowering chlorine odor.  I still keep a collection of gallon jugs that I use for refilling the 10-gallon tanks.  The chlorine will "gas off" within 24 hours, and the jugs sit for days, so those tanks get no treatment.  However, for all the other tanks I use a hose connected to a water faucet, mixing hot & cold to achieve the desired temp.  With as much turbulence as this prodces, plus the surface disturbance created by my filters, the de-chlorinator is probably not necessary.  However, I have noticed that with the large-scale water changes some flashing will occur post-water change, so I''ve been using Stress-Coat.  Takes care of the chlorine, and helps keep the fish's slime coat in good order.  The flashing usually doesn't occur when I use this.  I also make a point of using it on any tanks with fry, as they are probably more vulnerable to chlorine damage than are the adult fish (that's my working hypothesis, anyway).  For those with water systems using chloramines, it's probably even more prudent to use a de-chlorinator, as chloramines are much more stable and persistent than chlorine.  As far as I know, charcoal has no efficacy for chlorine removal.

Being in an area where chloramine is present, I DO add a water conditioner but pre-prepare the water in 50litre bins, I then add the treated water to the tanks post the water change

so is it a better idea to treat the water in a different container first and then add it to the tank or is it ok to add directly to the tank??

Lindsay wrote:so is it a better idea to treat the water in a different container first and then add it to the tank or is it ok to add directly to the tank??

You'll probally get a different anwser from each person or group of people you check with.

Best = whatever is easiest and works best for you 

A few people have asked about the type of water filters I use.
And how it's setup,etc..


For anyone wondering or looking for more information.
Here's one of my simple water filter (for removeing Chlorine and/or Chloramine)