de-chlorinating tap water

[Beth]

How long does tap water need to sit out before it is safe to add to my betta's fish bowl without adding a de-chlorinator? My cat likes to drink out of the bowl--there's no breaking him of it! I want to top off the water every few days (in addition to weekly water changes) but I don't want to use all that de-chlorinator.

 

[OrionGirl]

If you only have chlorine, no chloramines, leaving it out overnight in a shallow bowl (more surface area) will take care of it. Or, you can agitate the water for 30 minutes with a bubbler and take care of it.

If you have chloramines, you will need to treat the water with a conditioner. Chloramines do not gas off, and generate ammonia when the bond is broken, so a product that addresses both is best.

I know what you mean--we had a cat that was determined to drink out of a 15 high--would literally straddle the tank in order to drink. Never went fishing, though he did slip and go swimming once. Talk about a mess! Soaking wet cat streaking through the house.

 

[Beth]

Hilarious!! Those felines...

My betta, Sparky, doesn't seem to mind too terribly to share his water. Oscar (the cat) just better not come around with fish breath and bits of red fin stuck between his teeth!

Water dept. said no chloramines.

Thanks!