does dechlorinator expire?

[ScottoMacD]

Sodium thiosuphate can last a really long time. We had some in a box in the basement for many years. I asked my chemist husband & he said it gets a very bad smell when it breaks down, ours was fine.

Of course that sniff test doesn't work with Prime, it always smells, LOL. But it last a long time

Prime does not us Sodium Thiosulfate. It uses Sodium Hydroxymethane Sulfinate. Or a derivative of that chem.

Sodium Thiosulfate only works to completely decholr water that uses Chlorine only.

Any place that uses Chloramines should be using a product with Sodium Hydroxymethane Sulfinate. Like Prime or Tetra Aquasafe

The Sodium Hydroxymethane Sulfinate binds and eliminates the chlorine and the ammonia that form Chloramines.

Thiosulfate will only bind to the chlorine and hence will release the ammonia into the water of your tank. In most cases not a big deal but if acclimating already sensitive fish or doing a big water change in a fairly new setup it could cause issues.

Most companies say they are fine for Chloramines, because they technically do. As stated above but if they are using Thiosulfate it really is only a half truth.

There is a reason that Prime gets such great reviews from people in the know. It actually works 100%. Same for Aquasafe.

 

[fishorama]

Yep, different stuff alright. I didn't want anyone to think their Prime was "off". And although my water co. uses only chlorine they told me "chloramines may form during the distribution process". I use Prime now instead of sodium thiosulphate.

 

[MChambers]

Prime

My understanding is Prime doesn't use sodium thiosulphate. That's why it's more expensive & smells different. But it's worth the price.

I don't think Prime is more expensive, when measured by the amount of water treated. In fact, I think Prime is the cheapest.

 

[Michwol42795]

One time I found some old dechlorinator, it had a lot of white stuff in it. I threw it out because it looked really messed up lol, does anyone know what it was?

 

[NeonFlux]

Even more interesting! Lol Looks like my jug can be long-lasting after all..

 

[Bree7]

I have this same problem... my water conditioner wreaks!

I use aquasafe in the big yellow bottle.. I bought it slightly used a few months ago and just ran out of my stress coat so I decided to use it. Man. It smells rotten.

But I'm a little confused.. is it safe to use? Does aquasafe go bad? Do I have to replace it? It's almost full, so I'd rather not, but I will if you guys think I should!

 

[fishorama]

I think Aquasafe is not sodium thiosulfate so it probably smells similar to Prime all the time, yucky.