Just Chlorine burned my entire cichlid tank

[a/m]

You need to work on setting up another tank as a backup. Even if it's not the same size at least you have an option to move fish into a tank with stable water conditions.

 

[nmadsen4]

The water i use to refill my tanks with I let sit for at least 24 hours and I also treat the water as it sits before using it....... I noticed that nobody else mentioned doing that..... I should point out that I live in Phoenix and our water is horrific, but I still thought it was somewhat widely practiced to let it sit for a while?

 

[ken 429]

ill believe that was a more common practice when chlorine was used now that chloromines are used its" prime "time.

 

[cchhcc]

ill believe that was a more common practice when chlorine was used now that chloromines are used its" prime "time.

Yes, when only chlorine was used you could let it sit 24 hours or so (with aeration) and let the chlorine dissipate. Chloramine is used widely now, and it will not easily dissipate. Hence, you must treat it even after sitting.

 

[cgronko]

How much chlorine do you have in your tap water?? I have tested my water straight out of the tap with a test kit and nothing comes up. My water only has chlorine and i add the conditioner after but only use like 1/2 the amount it says to use and my fish are all happy and start breeding.

 

[Akabir47]

Everyone says prime but is tetra aquasafe aceptable?

 

[buddha1200]

i fill and treat my tanks at the same time and have never had a problem,i think it might have been ph shock,that much clorine to instantly start killing your fish is harmful even to you(you coulnt even drink that water)

 

[theW1LDone]

That's rough man, I'm sorry to hear that

 

[Mr Pleco]

i have two oscars and a pleco that could care less about chorinated water. my dad helps me out with water changes and i found out he never added the dechlroinator so i don't even use it in their tank

african cichlids however....

Are you on a city water system or well water? City Water systems adjust chlorine /chloramine levels all the time.....Not adding de chorlinator is just asking for trouble...Worst case it cause your bio to die off causing your tank to cycle....Water changes are highly recommended , however use caution know what your tap water test kit readings are as well as your tank. I recomend if you python style water change no more than 25% at a time... less stress, less chance of PH shock, less chance of chlorine
poisoning.....Keeping fish happy and healthy in an aquarium is not a lazy man's hobby.

 

[Mr Pleco]

How much chlorine do you have in your tap water?? I have tested my water straight out of the tap with a test kit and nothing comes up. My water only has chlorine and i add the conditioner after but only use like 1/2 the amount it says to use and my fish are all happy and start breeding.

Find your cities water quality reports, all municipalities publish their annual averages , but remember they are averages...It may surprise you what the Govt says is acceptable for you to drink on a daily basis based upon body weight and anticiapted life span...... Now consider most aquarium fish are under 1 lb it makes you think.

Here is water quality report for 2008 Phoenix as an example

http://phoenix.gov/WATERSERVICES/qualre08.pdf

Chlorine - highest level 2008 6.5 PPM

Maximum recomended level - govt std is 4.0 PPM