Water Conditioner in Planted Tanks?

S

Sumpin'fishy

Humble Disciple of Jesus Christ
Oct 16, 2002
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Savannah, GA
I just read an article talking about being careful about which water conditioner you use to treat your tap water. They said it's best to use a simple dechlorinator in planted tanks because if the conditioner binds heavy metals, it can make them unavailable to plants. Anyone found this to be true? I was also wondering whether ammonia,nitrite, and nitrate removal are beneficial features of a planted tank conditioner?

I currently use PRIME by Seachem. It's one of those "all-in-one" recipes. It removes Chloramine, Chlorine, and Ammonia. It "detoxifies" Nitrite and Nitrate. It also provides a Slime Coat. Another cheap water conditioner I use is Aquarium Pharmaceuticals "Tap Water Conditioner". I usually just use this to add to small quantities of water like what I fill my canister or buckets with, since it only takes one drop per gallon. This one Removes Chlorine, breaks the Chloramine Bond, and Detoxifies Heavy Metals. Should I be looking for another conditioner? I have not noticed any problems in my planted tanks (or even my FO tanks), but I was wondering if maybe I'm wasting fertilizers compensating for these losses? I understand how it's easier for plants to utilize ammonia rather than nitrate. Am I really losing anything beneficial?
 
From what you found out, I'd try something else.. Interesting find there!
 
Sodium Thiosulphate

I got some to spare, if you want to buy some. It comes in great big containers, so I had to buy enough to last me 4500 years on my present 50% weekly water change schedule.

If we ever do a plant sale or trade, remind me and I'll sell you some then.
 
Sounds good, but you only mentioned using Sodium T. in water with Chlorine only. Does it work for Chloramines? I have these in my water. Thanks for the info that the "neutralizing heavy metals" only means that it chelates them. This is a good thing for planted aquaria.

My other part of the question was about Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate neutralizers. I could assume that it simply "processes" them into a non-toxic form, like Nitrogen. Am I wrong and is it actually making them unavailable to plants?

Thanks again!
 
Just read about Chloram-X

There is a product for chloramine called Chloram-X, sold dry in likewise huge sizes. Search for that, SimplyDiscus forum had something about it, but 5 lbs was like $50 or something high. I don't have to deal with that so I'm not really up on the alternatives.

As far as the other things, "they say" that those things are still available to the bacteria and plants, just not harmful for the fish. I don't pretend to understand. Try reading at SkepticalAquarist.com, tons of info there and lots of links, most working. Everytime I read there I understand a bit more, but it makes my head hurt.
 
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