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

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
I also do water changes with a Python directly into the tank.
Suck the water out.
Pump new water back in from the tap.
Drizzle in the treatment while it's filling up.
Some stress coat with a big water change.
Never had a problem.

However with smaller "tropical" (right term?) fish I premix the water before putting it in the tank.
 
It is "ok" to do this but I think a better alternative would be to fill up a tub with the desired water first and treat that water prior to mixing into the tank. My main tanks are on a drip system but I do have a 125g that is not. When I do water changes on this tank I use a 55 gallon rubbermaid tub and fill it with water first that matches the temp of the tank. Add the dechlor and aquarium salt to the tub and then add it back to the tank.
 
The biggest Q I have is what kind of fish do you have?? Some fish are hardier than others.

I have 1 Ray, 1 Gar, and 3 Tat's (red tail Payara) and I use a water hose to drain my tank. While draining my tank, I add Prime to my sump (a little over the recom. gls is what I add. usually 70gls out, 2 cap full of prime) and let my powerhead mix the prime in my 20gl Sump.
Once I fill it, I let my hose run for a few minutes then take it in the house and fill her up.
Last I start my sump up and let it run out from my spray bar... Finished.

Out of all my fish I have been advised that my Tats are the most fragile fish I have. They dont seem to be effected by it? They eat right after my water changes...
I also do water changes every 4days at about 40-50% at a time and no signs of problems:grinno:
My fish seem normal. No scratching, rubbing, nothing out of the normal habbits?
This is just my 2cents:D
 
I only have a 20 gallon but i've always just added the water straight to the tank after i change it and put the WC in it. i also make sure the temperatures are pretty close and i've never had problems.
 
all my tanks i do the same way, including the stingray/ghost knife tank.

drain 30-50% of the water, then start refilling. i add 1/2 the dose of prime at first, then the rest at the very end. i also treat my ENTIRE tank, not just what im adding.

been doing it this way for years, first with stresscoat, now with PRIME thanks to this site. never had any issues at all *knock on wood*
 
if everyone has room for huge tanks go to wal mart and get a rubbermaid 45 gallon storage tote the ble things u put holiday crap in... i store all my water in them with no leaks this makes it super easy and worry free i even have an extra heater in the water to keep temp the same....add all your conditioners/salts a day in advance
 
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