chemicals

[thisguy87]

what is the best chem to make tap water safe?
also lower nitrate/nitrite levels?

 

[Wolf3101]

BB in a properly established tank will lower nitrites to unmeasurable.
Nitrates on the other hand need to be controled through water changes although live plants help out a great deal.

IMO chemicals of ANY kind should always be a last resort in an established aquarium because you run the risk of distroying the delicate ballance. They are also VERY difficult to totally remove once introduced.

 

[thisguy87]

thanks . what do you think is a good de-chlorinator?

 

[Wolf3101]

Prime is generally concidered to be the best and safest of the declorinators...just remember that all they do is make the colrine/clorimines safe...they dont actully remove them.

 

[thisguy87]

is that what you use during water changes, im new at this hobby and want to make sure im doing things the right way not the half assed way

 

[Acer]

Prime is generally concider to be the best and safest of the declorinators...just remember that all they do is make the colrine/clorimines safe...they dont actully remove them.

I'm pretty sure Prime removes the chlorine, or at least that is what the bottle says... either way, it works well and I'd recommend it.

If you don't want to use a chemical dechlorinator (I wouldn't be worried about them anyways...), just let the water sit in a container with a bubbler. The chlorine dissipates within 24 hours.

 

[Druu]

Check to make sure it takes care of chloramine too since some cities have switched to that from chlorine.

 

[Wolf3101]

None of the products REMOVE the clorine. they just make it safe for the fish. Additionally most municipal water systems use clorimines rather than clorine because it lasts longer. Letting water with clorimines stand for 24 hours wont do anything at all to the levels so you need to know what your dealing with before deciding on a solution.

 

[deepblue101]

prime

 

[itzacraze]

prime is a great chlorine/chlorimine remover...... run as much charcoal as you can.... nitrite and trates will keep themselves in check as your biological filter establishes be patient and keep an eye on your parameters... do your waterchanges and leave the chemicals alone... some people use cycle others dont ... i would like to see actual studies done on bottled bacteria to see if it helps cycle in a new tank or with water changes...