Hmmm... Water Change Question

[njnauticalnut]

I was reading the post about grandma's yucky tank and something occurred to me. The sentence that prompted my question was about adding dechlorinator to the water after the water was added to the tank.

I now have a 75 gallon tank and I will use a python to do water changes. How will I be able to add dechlorinator before the water goes into the tank? Is it okay to add it immediately upon refilling the tank? I had not thought of this until now. Since the tank is still cycling, it is not an issue yet.

Appreciate your thoughts.

 

[cutechic]

I've never had a python, but I believe you need to add the dechlorinator after or as the water is being added to the tank. There is no way to do this before, unless you siphon the tap water into a bucket, dechlorinate, and then pour the bucket of water into the fish tank, which makes the python pretty worthless. I think.

You shouldn't have a problem adding dechlorinator after adding the water, since there will still be aged water in the tank.

 

[kgrehm]

Thats right, what you will have to end up doing is add the conditioing after you add the water, unless there is some sort of filter when adding water.

 

[ddm18]

Hey, more advice from someone with no experience, I'm afraid!

I don't have a python - but I've seen people saying that they add the dechlor first - I would guess that overall it doesn't really matter, because you're not removing/adding 100% of the water.

 

[Mesome]

I also don't have a python, but I have heard that people add it before because then the chlorine and stuff is neutralized upon contact. Don't take that as fact, but it does make some sense....
I would also recommend getting a chlorine test of some sort, just to make sure.

 

[luxum]

I add the dechlor after the drain, before the fill, and try to pour it right where the water will enter the tank. Never had any problems with that method, and my water company uses lots of chloramine.

 

[karrihug]

i use a python and add dechlor before adding water, if i do a big water change sometimes i put a little extra in as the water is going in.

hth

 

[njnauticalnut]

Thanks for your replies.

For my small tank I currently add the dechlorinator to the water and then add it to the tank. Funny how I never thought about what I would do with the large tank!

I think I will go the route of emptying, adding dechlorinator, then adding the new water.

Again thanks!