When I cycle and or do a partial water change, can I add tap water directly to the tank and then dechlorinate the water for the amount I put in? Would the chlorine/chlorimides harm the bacteria and or fish to the point where my tank gets messed up? or is it okay?
2007-12-20 15:47:49 · 7 answers · asked by conebone69 2 in Pets ➔ Fish
Not advisable to use tap water direct, only done when filling up a new tank for the first time. If you add the water conditioner direct to tank, it will unlikely be evenly distributed initially. Even when treating it before, wait about 10 mins then add the water into tank. The best option is still to always have aged water on standby.
2007-12-21 01:36:02 · answer #1 · answered by Stillwaters 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If your tank is so large that the chlorine contained in the amount of water you re-ad is VERY minimal, you really don't HAVE to, and it won't harm anything, but it is always a good idea to dechlorinate. Chlorine is harmful to bacteria, fish, inverts, and plants, but in EXTREMELY dilute concentrations (like 1 gallon of untreated water in a 55 gallon tank), it is harmless. If you dechlorinate, it is best to add it to the water before adding it to the tank, that way, you are guaranteed to neutralize all the chlorine.
Soop Nazi
2007-12-20 15:53:07 · answer #2 · answered by nosoop4u246 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's best to dechlorinate the water before you add it to the tank. Enough chlorine will kill pretty much anything. I wouldn't risk it. If there is ever a time you accidentally forget to add the dechlorinator before changing the water (I think everyone has done it once) you will want to add it directly to the tank as soon as possible.
2007-12-20 15:54:41 · answer #3 · answered by Corinne 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
the active ingredient in dechlorinators will affect (suppress) the beneficial bacteria you have in your aquarium. It should ALWAYS be used before new water is added to an established aquarium.
having said that....you need to establish what sort of chlorine/chloramine is being used in your water system and under what circumstances they may increase its use. Where i live chlorine is added at a minimun unless a land slide has occured in the watershed causing more turbulance (and other crap) in the tap water. during those times way more dechlorinator is required or avoid doing water changes.
2007-12-20 16:26:43 · answer #4 · answered by john e 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Always dechlorinate before you add water the water to the tank. And yes, chlorine and chloramines will harm the good bacterial colonies. Its good to keep a five gallon bucket on hands, for mixing up water.
Some people who use 'python' systems do add water strait from the tap into the tank. BUT before they do so, they add a double dose of dechlor to the tank before adding any water, and then after they add the water, add another dose of dechlor.
2007-12-20 15:51:42 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
It is recommended to add dechlorinator before. If your tank is huge,then it shouldn't matter much.
Rememeber that some dechlorinator take at least 5 minutes to work. Best if you just add dechlorinator first thing.
2007-12-20 17:19:30 · answer #6 · answered by revernance 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to dechlor before the fish are added. Chlorine is harmful to the fish, even in a partial water change.
2007-12-20 15:51:47 · answer #7 · answered by cranberi58 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋