is it O.K. to add water conditioner first?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
I use the same method, and drip in my water conditioner as I fill. The thermometer on the python is a good idea!
 
well i though leaving the water sit with conditioner would give time for the two to mix thus releasing all the chemicals(chlorine&others that normally would be a danger to the fish. If i put the chemical in first i thought it could be to much all at once for the fish. Also that would not be enough time to instantly change the chemical property for the fish to survive that fast a water change straight from the spigot.
 
Right as I am about to put water in I spread the dose out through the first 3 buckets of water that i siphon in there.
 
johnptc;1465836; said:
when you add the dechlorinator to the tank it should be enough for the whole tank not just for the water you add.....
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Just out of interest, why would you add that much dechlorinator? At first sight that seems like a ridiculous waste of money. I always add enough to treat the water I am putting back in. Why would I dechlorinate water that has no chlorine in it?
 
If you are from E. US you most likely have chloramine in your tap water; which is more harmful to your fish that chlorine and goes through a two step conversion process when mixed with water conditioner like Prime. You should pre-mix your water and conditioner BEFORE you put it in your tank.

I use to put my water directly in the tank and tried different methods of adding Prime (WC amount dose first, full tank amount dose first, mix little at a time while adding water, etc); no matter what I still had fish loss for the smaller fish tanks with Tetras, Guppies, Neons, etc and my African Cichlids would shake their heads or rub on rocks from the chemical irritation. I now pre-mix my water & conditioner and aerate it for at least an hour before pumping it back into the tank.
 
Doesnt the bottle of water conditioner say that it works almost instantly?
when i do a wc i just add it while filling and swoosh it around a bit so its everywhere.
I dont think you should add as much prime as your whole system because i think it does a chemical reaction with the chlorine/chloramine so if u put in enough for how much water ur changing then there should be enough chemicals to transform all the chlorine/chloramine
 
I drain my water first 25% every 2 weeks on 300 gallon add water contreatment first and then the water. doing this for over 22 years no problems but my saltwater I make it then it sits for 2 weeks.
 
I've been using a python to do water changes on my 75g malawi tank...you can't really add the conditioner before when you are reversing the flow of the hose...that being said, I haven't have a single problem with adding the conditioner directly to the tank or with temperature matching.

If anything, the dumb africans often swim toward the jet of new, cooler water just to see whats going on...doesn't affect them or show any signs of discomfort whatsoever.

The water would have to be pretty cold to make any more than a 3-4 degree difference in the overall tank for a 25% change....remember all your rocks/substrate/etc aren't losing heat to the cold water quickly either...there are a lot more heat "buffers" in your tank than you think...
 
Thanks for all the useful info,I only add WC for new added water. I do not retreat the treated water that was someone elses idea.
 
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