I've Never Used Water Conditioners...Anyone Else?

[duanes]

I agree this thread only applies to fishkeepers on a municipal water supply, where chlorine, or chloramine is added, and would agree that for most fishkeepers following manufacturer recommended dosages is the right thing to do. Any info a fishkeeper not on a municipal source gives would not be relevant.
Because different water sources require varying types of treatment, those manufacture recommended dosages are a probably fool proof way to go.
If your water source is a river, water conditions are constantly changing, and so will treatment options at the plant, so trying to second guess or try to micromanage what your dose might could be troublesome
Because I tested my tank and tap water fanatically, almost daily, and had access to all the best available technology to run my tests I could make my own call on proper dosage. My water supply was also very stable (Lake Michigan) and treatment dosages did not vary significantly from week to week at the plant, sometimes even month to month.

 

[fisheatfish]

Hello; Here is a slight side track on the subject. I recently put some water conditioner in two five gallon containers when adding the tap water. ( I have been lax about refilling them afetr a water change and needed the water ready right away.) As I have considered the jugs of stored water to be an emergency drinking water source, a question comes to mind. Is water treated with these chemicals safe form me to drink? And will the containers be OK after a rinse and fill with tap water only? (I guess if I am about to die of thrist I will try it. Perhaps after giving some to the neighbor I do not like.)

What does it say on the label? Is it human safe? That is, safe for human consumption? (Could be one way to get rid of a neighbor you don't like...lol!)

 

[xraycer]

What does it say on the label? Is it human safe? That is, safe for human consumption? (Could be one way to get rid of a neighbor you don't like...lol!)

I'm not home right now, but I believe there is a "not for human consumption" on the label.

 

[skjl47]

Hello; The label says "For aquarium use only!" and "kep away from children". No poison warning or contact a doctor stuff. No harmful or fatal if swallowed. No mention of Old men such as myself or neighbors.

 

[xraycer]

Hello; The label says "For aquarium use only!" and "kep away from children". No poison warning or contact a doctor stuff. No harmful or fatal if swallowed. No mention of Old men such as myself or neighbors.

Its not toxic. Kinda like the warning about you shouldn't swallow toothpaste

 

[davenmandy]

I am lucky not to have chloramine in my water, only chlorine. I know chlorine dissipates with aeration, and my tank is heavily aerated, and I set up my auto-drip to drip right onto a stream of bubbles behind an output. At first I was all about changing my carbon filters for my drip, but lately I will admit I haven't been doing much because I think that for what the drip is vs. the size and aeration of the tank I don't see it being an issue. However, I know the affects of chlorine are mostly long term, so I could really be doing an injustice to the fish with my current habits. Stupid chlorine test strips are so wonky I stopped buying them, and never did feel the need to buy a kit. That being said when I do a water change I will dose Prime everytime, sometimes even more than what is called for (I think it says you can quadruple the dose in case of ammonia issues) just to be safe.

 

[jwh]

I'll bet for every fish that is claimed to happily live in untreated water, there are thousands of fish that are stunted, in poor condition or dead because of untreated water, i don't understand the rationale for not using conditioners. They generally cost very little, very easy to add to your tank, are highly effective, and keep your water and fish healthy and safe. So what's to gain from not using them?

 

[Woefulrelic]

I'll bet for every fish that is claimed to happily live in untreated water, there are thousands of fish that are stunted, in poor condition or dead because of untreated water, i don't understand the rationale for not using conditioners. They generally cost very little, very easy to add to your tank, are highly effective, and keep your water and fish healthy and safe. So what's to gain from not using them?

I personally would not eat fish treated with prime or meds, and while I realize that's not the foremost thought I think it's worth mentioning. If I were to set up a system for consumption I would use aged water for sure, that includes plants as well.

 

[skjl47]

I'll bet for every fish that is claimed to happily live in untreated water, there are thousands of fish that are stunted, in poor condition or dead because of untreated water,

Hello; While I follow your comments, my personal experience has not borne such out. For over 50 years I did not use water conditioners. I have raised many fry to adulthood from many spawnings. I also have had numerous fish grow to full size and live many years and also be in good condition. I age tap water so do not expose the fish to chlorine. I am lucky in that my tap water does not have the chloramine.
The effect you fear may well be sort of like the issue of a significant figgure when measuring lengths. Example being that if one person on a project measured down to 1/100 th of an inch and a different person only measured at 1/10th of an inch. The accuracy is good only to the rounding error of 1/10 of an inch. By this I am trying to say that the effect of unreated water, if any, may well be overshadowed by the other parameters of life in a home aquarium.

would not eat fish treated with prime or meds, and while I realize that's not the foremost thought I think it's worth mentioning.

Hello; Interesting point. Never thought of this.

 

[Wailua Boy]

It seems the really big rip offs are the watered down sodium thiosulfate mixes, you're really not getting much for your money.....Years ago I would store water, aerate and perform water changes but once my water supplier switched to chloramine, I now de-chlor every time.