Tap Water Conditioner

[Kaidonni]

I've never really been big on messing with the water I put in my fish tank, ever since I started keeping fish at the end of 2002. Recently, in an effort to ensure I don't end up poisoning the fish or anything, I've taken closer notice of how long I leave water to stand before putting it in the tank. I've been told three days minimum unless I use Aqua Plus, and in that case, one day is acceptable. However, Aqua Plus, while it removes chlorine and chloramine, leaves ammonia in the water. Now, how do I deal with this? I have Nutrafin Cycle, which removes both nitrites and ammonia, but at what point do I use it?

You see, I left some water to put in the tank a while back, a couple of weeks or so, and I just don't trust it. Worried about the nitrates increasing in the water over time (something else I've been warned about...not sure if it's true or not, mind you). So, I was going to put some fresh water tonight, add some Aqua Plus (can you overdose on that? It'd be a dose for about 10-12 litres). Now, with the ammonia issue, when would I add the Nutrafin Cycle? How long would I leave that to stand for? In fact, is it right that I have to leave it for a day after adding Aqua Plus?

I'm somewhat obsessive compulsive, so I dread to do this wrong. For years I've been fine not doing it this way, but recently had a massive scare (of the leaking tank sort, needing to evacuate fish, losing a fair number to the stress...). I'm a bit more fussy now (even have a testing kit now).

I am grateful for any help.

 

[Dogson]

Hey there

I have never had to leave my water days before adding it to a tank??? Just get some de-chlorinater I have used king british in the past and i'm currently using one from Wilkinsons just add the correct dosage and swirl it roung leave it 5 mins and chuck it in. Never had a problem. I think your OCD is definately dictating issues here LOL

 

[Kaidonni]

Well, not only that, but also the fact that it's how my local fish store have taught me to do it. They're only small, but pretty decent (except for one grumpy fellow, lol...he knows who he is!). I've left the water for a few weeks now, maybe 3-4...only thing is, it's just a top-up, not a complete change (due to changing the fish over and the level being a bit lower than usual). After tomorrow night, when the top-up is done, I plan to put more water standing ready for a nice clean. It's a fluval tank, so this time round, will change a filter pad, too, and soak the new one in old water to soak up some bacteria. I just don't want to mess things up...lost enough fish already.

 

[OldMan47]

Welcome to the forum Kaidonni.
I am afraid the Cycle is not a water conditioner, it is a bacteria additive. At least any that I have ever seen was a bacteria additive. You need a dechlorinator instead. I think the one by Nutrafin is called stresscoat or something like that. I use the Seachem Prime because it is concentrated and lasts a long time. There is no need to leave water standing if you do use a proper dechlorinator. Standing water only works for chlorine, it will not work for chloramine, which is becoming much more common in water supplies these days.

 

[Kaidonni]

Welcome to the forum Kaidonni.
I am afraid the Cycle is not a water conditioner, it is a bacteria additive. At least any that I have ever seen was a bacteria additive. You need a dechlorinator instead. I think the one by Nutrafin is called stresscoat or something like that. I use the Seachem Prime because it is concentrated and lasts a long time. There is no need to leave water standing if you do use a proper dechlorinator. Standing water only works for chlorine, it will not work for chloramine, which is becoming much more common in water supplies these days.

I found out about the Cycle right after I put it in said standing water . I have Aqua Plus, which is dechlorinator and also takes care of chloramine. Only, it doesn't take care of Ammonia, and I was wondering about Nutrafin Cycle which can be used to deal with ammonia, and when I'd add it to any standing water I placed Aqua Plus in (given that I wouldn't fancy dumping ammonia into the fish tank).

 

[Bluefintuna]

I can't see that there would be that much ammonia in your tap water. If your tank is cycled then the filter should deal with any ammonia in your water, it's what the fish waste breaks down into. ammonia - nitrIte - nitrAte, you then remove the nitrAte when doing the regular water change.

I just use a good quality de-clorinator and keep tanks clean, plants use ammonia and nitrAtes as fert.

Hope this might help a little.

Nick.

 

[OldMan47]

I do have about 1/2 ppm of ammonia in my tap water Bluefintuna. It is the result of breaking the chemical bonds that make up chloramine. Any of the decent dechlorinators will also convert ammonia into the less toxic ammonium and the filter will remove it effectively in just a few hours.
Replacing filter media is something that I try to never do Kaidonni. I clean them and return to the filter. Your dechlorinator that is rated to remove chlorine and chloramine will neutralize the ammonia and no other product should be required.

 

[arobinson1984]

Agree with oldman here,

Kaidonni, using the aqua plus will be fine, you can then add the water straight to the tank, no need to leave it to stand. You won't be adding ammonia to your tank unless your tap water has trace amounts in it, in which case your beneficial bacteria in your filter will soon break the ammonia down. If you are a bit worried about the ammonia, get some seachem prime dechlorinator, it is fairly concentrated so works out cheaper than most dechlors and it also converts ammonia into ammonium which is pretty much harmless.

Regarding your filter pads, you very rarely have to change these (probably every couple of years) unless they are literally falling apart, just give them a clean out in old tank water and put them back into the filter.

Andy

 

[Kaidonni]

Thanks for the replies.

As per filter pads, until the scare in August with the leaking tank, I had a Juwel (sp?) aquarium. The top filter pad in that had to be changed regularly. Now I have a fluval tank, and I've been told all I need to do is clean the pads with the water I've taken out of the tank, and put the pads back. It's a very different system to the old one.

Well then, I will use Aqua Plus in future (I assume that, therefore, from the replies, I can definitely add the new water right away after that, although maybe a few hours to make sure might also be fine), and then add Nutrafin Cycle right after completing the change, when the filter has been placed back in, etc.

Just have to make sure, I love my fish to bits.

 

[OldMan47]

If you insist on buying and using the Cycle, enjoy yourself. I don't think it actually causes any harm. I actually own a bottle of it and have used it once to see if it did anything for the fish. You are welcome to the rest if you want it. All you ever need for a water change is a decent dechlorinator. For a filter cleaning all you need is used tank water. All other chemical additives are not needed in a healthy tank.

 

[MrPurplePickle]

Well then, I will use Aqua Plus in future (I assume that, therefore, from the replies, I can definitely add the new water right away after that, although maybe a few hours to make sure might also be fine), and then add Nutrafin Cycle right after completing the change, when the filter has been placed back in, etc.

If leaving it out for a few hours puts your mind at rest, so be it.
But, as an example, I use Prime like OldMan47, my water change consists of drain 30-40%, throw a cap of prime in the tank, fill straight from the tap via a hose.
(Just be careful of temperature)

Many people use a similar technique.

Cheers

 

[Kaidonni]

Okay, added the Aqua Plus to my 10 litres of water for the change this afternoon (also use some special salts, added a bit less this time around). Still obsessing...didn't stir the water or anything after adding the stuff, plus when I said about it not taking care of ammonia, I meant that when it deals with chloramine, it doesn't take out the ammonia part of that, just the chlorine part (because chloramine=chlorine+ammonia...I think, anyway). Anyway, right after all the water has been put in after the removal of some of the tank water and cleaning of the filter, I'll add in my Nutrafin Cycle (can't overdose with it anyway, and it puts my mind at ease knowing it can help out with things like ammonia). I used about 5ml Aqua Plus for the 10 litres (for chloramine it says 5ml to about 19l, chlorine 5ml for about 37.8ml), I don't have anything else to use in measuring it out - I hope it isn't an overdose, that it doesn't hurt my fish (I just thought about me using my test tubes I use to test the water with, because they have a 5ml mark, and I could roughly gauge it to a lower amount, but because these have had other chemicals in them, even if they've been washed out, I don't think I'd risk it). Er...wish me luck.

 

[OldMan47]

Good luck with your water change Kaidonni. If you want to measure small amounts of dechlorinator you can use a measuring spoon, a half teaspoon is about 2.5 ml. Another thing you can do is get one of the medicine droppers that allow you to accurately measure small amounts of whatever you put in them. Those droppers cxan often be had free for asking for them at a drug store.