Any bad experience with dechlorinator?

[Cloud-9]

Years ago, I was performing a water change on a large tank that contained an orange pike cichlid. Anyway, I was using a dechlorinator that also contained a slime coat stimulant. I think it was stress coat or a similar product. I measured the required amount in a plastic medicine cup and poured it in the tank. Unfortunately, the pike was directly underneath the area where the chemical dropped in the water. I did not see this since the tank had lots of plants. The pike darted to his cave and stayed there. I finished filling the tank with the Python. I checked the tank hours later and the pike was dead at the bottom.

Now, I was skeptical at the possible cause and subjected the water to the usual battery of tests. Nothing. The following year, I acquired a red pike. It was the same tank, same area of the tank, and the same incident happened. The results were the same. The pike was dead the next morning.

Anyway, I'm not sure if it's the dechlorinator or the slime coat stimulant in the product that did this. Ever since, I always try to get dechlor that does not contain a slime coat stimulant. But my choices were limited the last time I went to purchase a dechlor, so I ended up with Jungle's Start Right, which has a slime coat stimulator. Guess what. The same thing happened. My fish is now at the bottom lying still. I expect the same results, unfortunately.

Anyone else had experienced this problem?

[ChilDawg]

I've heard/read that slime-coat stimulants in dechlorinator can cause suffocation/asphyxiation, but I have not personally had it happen (I've only used distilled water for my 10g and 20 high since I have softwater fish and there are nasty things in the water here and hard water at home.)

[blitzen25bm]

nothing happens to my fish, i use amquel and novaquel, can you get those where you live? or you can just get a jug or a gallon bottle or something and mix the right amount of the declor with some water and pour that into the tank so if it hits the fish its more diluted. --john

[Anaxus]

I have had zebra danios try and "eat" stress coat when I placed it in my tank with no ill effects. That does seem fishy that it has happened 3 times. The stuff does seem kinda thick and I can see how it could clog gill slits.
When I bought my current bottle of stress coat I was looking for somethign without the slime coat but couldnt find anything

[Cloud-9]

Like I said, I'm not sure of the cause. Perhaps the pikes are a bit sensitive. Anyway, the fish from yesterday is still alive. And it is not a pike.

I will follow the advice and dilute the stuff outside the tank before pouring it in. I would prefer to use the stuff that only dechlorinates and only required one drop to the gallon. But most of the conditioners you see now have the slime coat inducer.

[OrionGirl]

Do you have chloramines, or just chlorine? If just chlorine, you can put it in a bucket (large surface area, or use a small pump for surface agitation) and let the water sit out overnight. Then you don't have to worry about any 'extras' in the conditioners.

[wetmanNY]

Sodium thiosulfate dechlorinates. Peatwater chelates metals. Granular activated carbon or polyfilter adsorb contaminants. Why would you add something designed to adhere to gill surfaces? Learn from experience.