Seachem Prime- Can it affect Fish.

[CANAMONSTER]

I was wondering if any one knows of any studies done showing if dechlorinaters are safe long term or if they affect the health of our fish? I know most things in the medical field will help one thing but wreck another ( cholesterol pills? )

I couldn't seem to find much on this topic but I think I would be a good thing to know since our fish our very prized and could be very expensive to buy as Prices seem to be getting higher.

The obvious short cut the prime has done is not having to let our water "age" as this could be more time consuming.

 

[ehh]

In sure there is some kind of long term damage but I'm also sure it's no where near the damage chlorine causes.


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[duanes]

If your water company disinfects with chloramine, letting the water age would be basically useless. And most major north American cities have converted to chloramine as opposed to free chlorine as a disinfectant. The trihalomethane byproducts produced by the combination of chlorine and organics are carcinogenic, and chloramine prevents thee byproducts
We did an experiment in our lab, and found after 2 weeks, chloramine disinfected water still had a total chlorine residual nearly as high as the day it was drawn.

 

[CANAMONSTER]

Oh wow, didnt know that. Last I checked my towns water no chloramine, will check again. Very good point.

 

[duanes]

If you look under operational Parameters, you will see Total Chlorine (distribution only).
Total Chlorine is water plant speak, for chloramine and the method it is measured, and the distribution system is where it is added to provide a stable disinfection residual throughout, and to the end of the system.
THMs are trihalomethanes
http://www1.toronto.ca/city_of_toro.../pdf/drinking_water_analysis_summary_2012.pdf

 

[elting44]

If your water company disinfects with chloramine, letting the water age would be basically useless. And most major north American cities have converted to chloramine as opposed to free chlorine as a disinfectant. The trihalomethane byproducts produced by the combination of chlorine and organics are carcinogenic, and chloramine prevents thee byproducts
We did an experiment in our lab, and found after 2 weeks, chloramine disinfected water still had a total chlorine residual nearly as high as the day it was drawn.

Duanes needs the title "Dr. Water" after his name, can a mod hook that up. Thanks for the good info Duanes! Can you gives us a rundown of how you do water changes (when you add Prime, what percent do you change and how often) Given your professional background I bet you could drop some good info on us

 

[CANAMONSTER]

So, it will not state Chloramine but chlorine? That is why I thought no chloramine.

 

[duanes]

The difference is Total Chlorine is the measurement of chloramine, and free chlorine (or chlorine) is just straight chlorine, at least that's how we differentiated the 2.
I spent about 20 years working as a chemist/microbiologist in a drinking water plant.
I tested chlorine, and total chlorine (among another dozen water parameters) in all phases of our treatment process every 2 hours, of every working day.
We considered it bucket chemistry.
I mix my own dechlorinator using dry sodiumthiosulfate salts.
In my house every time a toilet is flushed, it uses aquarium water, and all plants inside and out, are watered with aquarium water, so I do daily partial water changes.
In summer in might be 40-50% daily, in winter 20-30% every other day, I have about 2000 gallons in tanks and pools containing fish.

 

[RD.]

Mike doesn't live in TO, there's actually a good chance that his city uses chlorine only.

For anyone that isn't certain what they are dealing with, place a call to your local water treatment plant supervisor. Most of them will be more than happy to discuss water treatment procedures with you once you explain that you keep tropical fish.

 

[duanes]

Oops, didn't notice the "north" part.

Mike doesn't live in TO, there's actually a good chance that his city uses chlorine only.