do we have to use dechlorination treatments

[sharkbait]

Hi folks,

Maybe I'm just mean

Its going to get expensive on dechlorination treatments if I get myself a bigger tank, what with 20% every week.

Does everyone use them or can you get away with leaving a tub of water to stand for a few days. If so how many days?

I know the bottles also claim to eliminate heavy metals, but if they were in such abundance should we be giving it to our children to drink?

what do you think?

 

[platypus]

can you get away with leaving a tub of water to stand for a few days

Actually, if you have the patience to take this approach, I believe it's just as successful as using dechlorination treatments. Plus you have the added satisfaction of knowing you're not adding more chemicals to your tank (i.e. the dechlorinators). It also means the temperature is likely to be more acceptable of the fish so you'll be causing them less stress. I have never tried this method myself but I know a lot of people on here do.

 

[CFC]

It is only possible to leave water standing to dechlorinate it if you are 100% certain your water company does not use chloramines in the system. Chloramines will not disperse like chlorine gas and needs to be neutralised by the addition of a water conditioner which works on chloramines, i use stress coat by aquarium pharmaceuticals. Stress coat will treat 10 US gallons with one teaspoon so works out cheap even on larger tanks.

 

[cheirodon]

Water Works Co. here uses chlorine gas. I've tested levels on a bucket of water (20 liters), and there is no trace of it after 8 hours out in the sun.
This company uses a very interesting alarm system: they cycle treated water (before chlorination) from their plant(s) into a 100 gal. tank full of Trout! As long as the trout are ok, the water is considered healthy, and gets chlorinated and distributed.
So, I guess, chlorine aside, water is proven fit for fish consumption! Trout at least

 

[Alien Anna]

Water Works Co. here uses chlorine gas. I've tested levels on a bucket of water (20 liters), and there is no trace of it after 8 hours out in the sun.
This company uses a very interesting alarm system: they cycle treated water (before chlorination) from their plant(s) into a 100 gal. tank full of Trout! As long as the trout are ok, the water is considered healthy, and gets chlorinated and distributed.
So, I guess, chlorine aside, water is proven fit for fish consumption! Trout at least

Wow! And I suppose if it doesn't work they get a free fish dinner

 

[guppymonkey]

Whats so expensive about dechlorinators? So you have to spend a few bucks, at least you are sure that there is no chlorine or chloramines. Its not that expensive for them and they treat many gallons of water. If you have the money to buy a huge tank you should be able to afford some dechlorinator. Just my two cents...

 

[floater]

dissipation works well unless chloramines are present. They dont evaporate and are just as harmful. There really is no way to be sure if they are present. I use a wonderful product made by kordon it is called AmQuel instant water detoxifier. It removes ammonia chloramines toxic pheromones and chlorine. It is very inexpensive, $4.00 US for a 4 oz bottle that treats 240 gallons! Thats a years supply for a 40 gallon tank...

 

[Phase2]

I see ure from the uk ...as I am...The water here will vary from area to area and even more so to that of the states. This said I have never used any chemicals in 7 years of having tropicals with the excepting of some "fin growth" for a tatty fish given to me (rescued). I always leave my new tanks with water straight from the garden hose....pump running lid off for a week then add 1 or 2 fish and see how they are ...gradually building up the stock. feeding lightly 3times a day....if they cant eat it in under 1 minute its too much...never lost a fish due to poor health....old age and being eaten is another thing and unavoidable. Dont even own any water testing devices.....fish are hardier than people think and the water from the tap is probably better than the chemicals to "correct" it.

 

[sharkbait]

hi,

Glad to hear your fish are still alive. aside from new tanks, How do you do your weekly/fortnightly water change?

 

[Phase2]

I clean my gravel every other week ...and the glass and change the water thats sucked up with the gravel cleaner. then every other interim week I clean out my filter sponges and carbon...never had a problem so it works for me but it may not suit everyone.

 

[guppymonkey]

I see ure from the uk ...as I am...The water here will vary from area to area and even more so to that of the states. This said I have never used any chemicals in 7 years of having tropicals with the excepting of some "fin growth" for a tatty fish given to me (rescued). I always leave my new tanks with water straight from the garden hose....pump running lid off for a week then add 1 or 2 fish and see how they are ...gradually building up the stock. feeding lightly 3times a day....if they cant eat it in under 1 minute its too much...never lost a fish due to poor health....old age and being eaten is another thing and unavoidable. Dont even own any water testing devices.....fish are hardier than people think and the water from the tap is probably better than the chemicals to "correct" it.

This is the "old fashioned" approach, not to say that its bad but there is always something new and sometimes its actually right. I would have to agree that most tap water is better than adding chemicals. Chemicals while being added to try to help the fish add to the stress they have. Sometimes its better to add to their stress with these chemicals so that they can survive the stress from the tap water though! My tap water has tons of chloramines in it (I live in the states), just letting the water sit overnite wouldn't help my fish at all. So one of the few chemicals I do use is a dechlorinator that removes chloramines. Besides that the only chemical I use is some Ich medicine (just in case). Frequent water changes can solve most other problems (unless you want to change the pH or softness of the water which is a whole different story and mostly more work than its worth).