Home made Water Changer

[jvin85]

Oh, I have a question about Prime usage and a water changer system such as this one. I know you dose the tank for the whole tank's capacity before you start adding the chlorinated tap water, but should I also wait a certain period of time before turning the filters back on, to prevent chlorine from killing my beneficial bacteria bed?
It's always been somewhat of a mystery to me as to how sodium thiosulfate works, like...how fast it breaks up the chlorine/chloramine. I know it persists in water for 24 hours, but that's the length of my knowledge.

I'm such a caveman compared to you. I just assume Darwin's theory and that it's survival of the fittest once I put in freshwater+prime.

Btw, as for DIY goes awesome job. On a related topic I know a guy who attached a toilet float to a water pipe/tube. This way if the water level ever got low it would simply refill like a toilet tank. He had a timer to drain the tank 1 gallon every day. Pretty awesome tank wish i had pictures.

 

[Laticauda]

bump, still wondering about Prime.
"I have a question about Prime usage and a water changer system such as this one. I know you dose the tank for the whole tank's capacity before you start adding the chlorinated tap water, but should I also wait a certain period of time before turning the filters back on, to prevent chlorine from killing my beneficial bacteria bed?
It's always been somewhat of a mystery to me as to how sodium thiosulfate works, like...how fast it breaks up the chlorine/chloramine. I know it persists in water for 24 hours, but that's the length of my knowledge."

 

[KaiserSousay]

I think your putting way to much worry time into the use of Prime, or any other quality dechlorinator.
Putting in before, after, or during the refill, no biggie, just as long as it does go in.
As far as damaging your bacteria colonies by turning your filters on, next to none.
Unless you have tap water that is unfit to drink or bathe in because of massive amounts of chlorine/chloramines, you are fine.
Want something to fret over, start looking around for the right spot that new, bigger tank can go.
Oh yea, and how are you going to pay for it.
What`s going to go in it.
On and on.

 

[fishnut]

bump, still wondering about Prime.
"I have a question about Prime usage and a water changer system such as this one. I know you dose the tank for the whole tank's capacity before you start adding the chlorinated tap water, but should I also wait a certain period of time before turning the filters back on, to prevent chlorine from killing my beneficial bacteria bed?
It's always been somewhat of a mystery to me as to how sodium thiosulfate works, like...how fast it breaks up the chlorine/chloramine. I know it persists in water for 24 hours, but that's the length of my knowledge."

Seachem also makes a powder form called, Safe and it is cheaper then prime. More economical for those with large tank or multiple large tanks Gone are the day of buying expensive 1or 2 liter prime.

During water refill, I just add Safe into the tank and I do not notice any change in the fish. I have done this to even my fragile fish like cardinal tetra and discus tank.

 

[CICHLIDFAN210]

A few things to keep in mind when doing the water change is how much % of water are you replacing. If you are worried about losing the beneficial bacteria, do a smalled % water change more often. I rarely do more than a 25% water change. Also if you keep your filters clean and media rotated properly you wont have to do the major life threatening water changes. Also with your awesome DIY water siphon, the water chages will be so much quicker.

 

[Nighttouch]

+100 on the Delta model 11926-DST!! lol I work as a manager in the Delta Faucet warranty department.