View Full Version : Adding dechlorinator with Python??
When using a Python for water changes, how do you add a dechlorinator to the new water?
JSchmidt
03-13-2003, 4:16 PM
You can add the dechlor to the water before or as you add the new water.
Jim
I must not understand how the python works then. Does it not hook directly up to your faucet? Is there a valve or something for adding dechlor. or something?
NJ Devils Fan
03-13-2003, 4:22 PM
No, all it is is a long hose that connects to your faucet. When you turn on the water, it goes through the hose to the other side where you are holding it as the water goes into your tank. As the water is going into your tank, you can just add your dechlorinator, or, you can just wait until the tank fills and then add it.
NJDF- thanks for the info, i remember reading your info on the python b4 so i hoped you would chime in.
NJ Devils Fan
03-13-2003, 4:35 PM
Yep, I chimed. ;) :)
Lukara
03-14-2003, 1:15 AM
When I refill the tank, I use the python to fill a large bucket for the amount that I'm putting back in to the aquarium. Then I treat the water in the bucket with the dechlorinator and add any salt or baking soda for the amount that I'm putting back in. Then to get the water from the bucket back into the aquarium, I use a power head with some tubing which brings the water from the bucket on the floor up to my aquarium (about 5 feet higher than floor level). This works exellent for me.
NJ Devils Fan
03-14-2003, 6:35 AM
Baking soda? thats a new one. Why do you do that?
pinballqueen
03-14-2003, 6:48 AM
Originally posted by NJ Devils Fan
Baking soda? thats a new one. Why do you do that?
Baking soda is very alkaline. I'd assume the reason for adding baking soda would be to raise the ph of the water for fish that prefer 7.8 and up ph. I used to do this when my tap water was very acidic and I was keeping high-ph loving fish. (I have since decided that it is too much of a PITA to keep altering the ph of my tapwater and keep fish that are suited to the environment I'm dealt. Luckily, I live in an area with nearly-neutral but slightly alkaline water now, which is great for almost all the fish I like...)
I can't think of any other reason for doing this, though.
125gJoe
03-14-2003, 8:14 AM
De-chlorinator can be added while filling the tank...
VoodooChild
03-14-2003, 10:05 AM
I have heard, and this may not be true, that with the Venturi Valve on the Pythons there is minimal needs for dechlorinator due to the large amount of aeration it goes through. I have talked to people at my LFS that only put in a few squirts of Brand X dechlorinator. Any thoughts on this? Otherwise yeah, we just put it in afterwards.
JSchmidt
03-14-2003, 10:49 AM
I have heard of fishkeepers who believe the chlorine outgases as it enters the tank. I wouldn't be comfortable with this myself and I would add dechlor as the tank refills. It certainly would not be appropriate if the tap water contained chloramine rather than chlorine.
Dechlor is relatively cheap and safe to use. This easily fits under the 'better safe than sorry' category for me.
Jim
Lukara
03-15-2003, 2:11 AM
Baking soda would be to raise kH.