Water changes with tetra brand safestart normal and/or necessary?

[duanes]

I would never suggest water changes on a municipal system without s0me kind of dechlorinator.
But once a cycle is done, I don't see any need for extra bacteria, unless some kind of annomally has occured comproming the system.

 

[SalviniCichlidFan]

sometimes I really wonder how much money I've wasted because of these companies. but then it's great to have experienced mfkers fighting the truth behind these companies' claims and products.

 

[phreeflow]

I would never suggest water changes on a municipal system without s0me kind of dechlorinator.
But once a cycle is done, I don't see any need for extra bacteria, unless some kind of annomally has occured comproming the system.

I have chloramines. Can I just use sodium thiosulfate for the chlorine and rely on my biological filtration to rid the ammonia or do I have to use an ammonia reducer?

 

[duanes]

My Milwakee tap water, was treated with chloramine forever, and I used sodium thiosulfatte.

https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/i97/dstuer/chlorine/.highres/Thios001.jpg?width=320&height=320&fit=bounds

Before sodium thio above
After below

https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/i97/dstuer/chlorine/.highres/Thios003.jpg?width=320&height=320&fit=bounds

 

[skjl47]

Hello; Go to your water supplier company. Ask for a water quality report. It is my understanding such information is available to consumers. I did this when i moved 14 years ago. My outfit uses chlorine so I do not need to use any chemicals at all for a water change. I do however have to let the water sit in containers for a few days to allow the chlorine to outgas from the water.
I try to let the water sit for a minimum of four days but in practice will be a couple of weeks as i only have three smaller tanks running currently. The process can be sped up with a bubbler is my understanding but I have not needed to try such.
I keep a bottle of PRIME and a bottle of SAFE around for use as needed. They are the same stuff with one in liquid form and the other as a powder. Dosing being the slightly tricky part.
If you have chloramines then you must use the PRIME or an equivalent with each change.

tetra brand safestart (nitrogen fixing bacteria

As others have stated this stuff should not be needed once you have established colonies of beneficial bacteria (bb). At seven years the tank(s) are well cycled will be my take.

Good luck