Dechlorinating Water

[GobyMaster11276]

So, I recently discovered that some people leave tap water outside for a day and then add it into their tank/pond. Which leads me to ask this question. If this is possible, and can be done safely without causing any harm to fish, invertebrates, plants, etc, why doesn't everyone do it instead of buying the chemicals? Also, if anyone does do this, please tell me more about it. Thanks.

 

[Essjay]

This does work if your water supplier uses chlorine but not if they use chloramine - that doesn't gas off.
If your water is likely to have metals dissolved in the water invertebrates could potentially be harmed, and most dechlorinators also remove metals.

Where I live it is cold at the moment so I wouldn't keep water standing outdoors.I would have to find somewhere to keep it indoors. Then my husband would complain about all the buckets of water just standing around and before long I'd find myself being nagged into getting rid of my tanks. It is easier to use water straight from the tap and dechlorinator.

 

[NickAu]

I'd find myself being nagged into getting rid of my tanks. It is easier to use water straight from the tap and dechlorinator.

Sounds like my wife.

 

[Byron]

Essjay nailed it. Another way to remove chlorine is brisk agitation. This is why chlorine becomes less effective as water travels distances through water manes and pipes, and some places that use only chlorine will have stations along the mains to add more. Vancouver where I live does this.

For most of us, it is much less hassle to use a good quality dechlorinator, but only as much as needed. There is no value or benefit in overdosing chemicals.

Byron.

 

[StevenF]

A Degas bucket is not only good for removing chlorine. Some people have excessive levels of CO2 in their tap water which can make the water excessively acidic. Letting the water site in a bucket will reduce CO2 and chlorine levels.

Other ways of eliminating chlorine are are backing soda and sea shells. They will react with chlorine and create harmless salts (sodium chlorine or calcium chloride). However adding the right amount can be tricky. If you add to much the water may be too alkaline. Not enough too much chlorine. Testing the water for total Chlorine is a good way to determine how much to add. A second way to address chlorine is to determine if it is actually in the water.

Some water companies have switched over to UV and ozone sterilization instead of Chlorine. So if you test your water for Ammonia, nitrite, and chlorine you might not need a water conditioner. When I first got my aquarium I used a conditioner. Then after testing the water and not seeing Chlorine or ammonia and nitrite I reduced the conditioner I added. I eventually reduced it to zero and stopped using it. Most of the conditioner contents of the bottle was discarded a long time ago.