CichlidFish.com - Fish That Think.

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??

I think it's easier and just as effective to add water directly to the tank and then treat it there

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

What brand of water conditioner are you using? How large is the oscar tank and what percentage is typically changed out (I'm wondering if 3 or 4 drops is really effective).

If you dechlorinate AFTER filling, you're unnecessarily/temporarily exposing your fish to the effects of chlorine or chloramine (check with your water company to see what your water is treated with). I usually remove a portion of the water (well half of it, I do large water changes), then add the water conditioner (Seachem's Prime), then start adding tap water about a minute or two later.

Bacteria starters (or "helpers") are unnecessary in an established tank. Salt is an option but unnecessary.

stilllearnin wrote:

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 

Exactly as Stilllearnin says.
The way I pretreat mine equates to the amount of water I am removing, I have no need to turn any heaters, filters, etc off because they stay below the water level.  My local water being treated with chloramine, I feel more comfortable pre-treating but I have come across many people from different parts of the globe who do it the other way.  I also bring my water up to the same temp as the tank it is going into, but that's just me.  Again I know others who just add the water slowly and let the heater do the job and they suffer no ill effects.

Not sure on the American stance on this, but in blighty, where pretty much breed that you never add anything to the water added to a tank.

Also, weirdly, we're told never to fill the tank with warm water from the tap due to heavy metal residue from the copper and lead pipes our homes have.

Personally, i leave water to stand for 24 hours, then add it to the tanks. Never had a problem.

Here in the UK I always use a dechlorinator that removes chlorine and chloramines. I also use a Python hose when doing water changes ...about 30% a week. I too understood that the carbon filters were there to remove other elements eg zinc etc from the water but it has to be activated carbon for it to work otherwise its a waste of time. The carbon is not to help with the chlorine. I personally remove the carbon filters out after a couple of weeks as I feel they have done their job.
The declor I just add to the tank as the Python is refilling it.
Craig....I use water straight from the taps here in Cheshire. I too use a mixer tap with a hose attatched to the end then the temp is ok.

This brings back memories!  When I was very young, we lived for awhile in a house where the water heater apparently had a lot of corrosion.  We were told to be sure and never drink from that water.  As a result, I was probably in my 20's or 30's before I got over that caution.  As to metals in the water pipes -- especially of older buildings -- this is a problem, not just in the UK, and not just from the water heaters.  It's always a good idea to let the water run long enough to flush out whatever has been standing in the buildeing's pipes before ingesting any of it.  Cold water is no exception.