WATER CHANGES

[panther1505]

Is it absolutely necessary to dechlorinate the water when making water changes?
If so, what dechlorinater would you suggest I use?

 

[crookedfish]

I believe that it is required (I am a newbie) as the chlorine kills the helpful bacteria and stresses the fish.

I use Nutrafins Aqua Plus as recomended by my LFS.

Si

 

[panther1505]

A friend of mine has a 36 gallon aquarium and she make monthly 4 gallon water changes, doesn't dechlorinate the fresh water she puts back in the tank and she hasn't had any problems yet. She's had the tank going for about 3 months now.

 

[Cheese Specialist]

Chlorine can kill fish on it's own and kills the good bacteria. Maybe the levels in panther1505's friend's water are not high and so a difference has not been seen.

That does not mean that damage is not being done.

Dechlorinating water is one of the most basic things in fish-keeping, like adding water to the tank.

I use hagen aquaplus, it's good because it works as a stress coat as well but it much cheaper.

 

[tstenback]

If you let the water sit for at least 24 hours then the chlorine dissipates and is safe for the tank. Not sure about chloramine though or even if your water has this. HTH

 

[totalbolshevik]

Well, it depends on how much chlorine there is in your water, and how tolerant your fish are to it. But it's never a good idea to not dechlorinate, better to play it safe even if you think it'll be alright.

 

[luxum]

It depends. Sometimes, if you have an unchlorinated water source, it might not be needed. If your water company uses small amounts of chlorine, the aeration from the faucet may be enough to disipate it. If your company uses lots of chlorine (in summer, for instance, they often up the concentration) or uses any amount of chloramine (aeration will not disipate chloramine), it is absolutely needed. Better safe than sorry and it can't hurt. I use a basic dechlor that is for chlorine or chloramine (get one that does both just to be sure).

 

[clutterydrawer]

why do they put more chlorine in in summer?

 

[Bol]

I'd guess it's because the warmer water has more 'bugs' in it to kill.