Water conditioners

[lshin037]

Are water conditioners necessary? I've been using Prime ever since I started my tank but Im wondering if it's a necessity.

 

[Maj0rFiSh]

Yes it is.

Unless you have beast hardy fish

 

[happychem]

If your water does not have chloramines but only chlorine, then you can age your water by leaving it out in a bucket over the week. But for tanks larger than about 10g this isn't a really viable solution.

If you felt like doing a ton of construction, you could set up several large rain buckets a floor above your tanks for aging water and have a water line running through the floor to the tank(s). Again, clumsy and cumbersome and only possible if your water company doesn't use chloramines. Compared to adding a few mL's of conditioner every week!?

 

[lshin037]

If your water does not have chloramines but only chlorine, then you can age your water by leaving it out in a bucket over the week. But for tanks larger than about 10g this isn't a really viable solution.

If you felt like doing a ton of construction, you could set up several large rain buckets a floor above your tanks for aging water and have a water line running through the floor to the tank(s). Again, clumsy and cumbersome and only possible if your water company doesn't use chloramines. Compared to adding a few mL's of conditioner every week!?

The reason I ask is because Im considering purchasing a Python gravel vac. When filling the tank, the water will go straight into the tank from the faucet, without being treated first with a conditioner. How would you treat the water when using a Python?

 

[tornangel012]

I've been wondering the same thing.............. because I just ordered one from Bigal's

 

[Soulcoffr]

From what I can tell, most people with Pythons add the water conditioner to the tank with the new water. Water conditioner is pretty fast acting stuff.

 

[happychem]

Yeah, just add the conditioner immediately before or as you're filling the tank.

 

[tornangel012]

Having of those things that makes bubbles helps to dechorinate also? Is this right?

 

[gali]

I just got my python yesterday. I ordered it after asking the same question last week
What many people on the board said was to add the conditioner to the tank and it should be OK. The python instructions say to add it to the stream of water.
Hopefully, it will work. I haven't tried it yet.

 

[Harlock]

Having of those things that makes bubbles helps to dechorinate also? Is this right?

Yes, the aerator can help disperse chlorine. Be aware that it will not get rid of chloramines, and so treating the stream/tank is necessary. I just did my 50% water change 15 minutes ago and I use Prime and a Python. It's all I have used since I set up my 29 gallon tank and I have had absolutely no problems. Fish do well. I add some Prime before I start the fill, then a bit to the stream.