What happens to extra decholorinator in the aquarium?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
K

kcb203

Feeder Fish
Nov 4, 2011
1
0
1
Virginia
The instructions for Prime say that 5 ml will dechlorinate 50 gallons of water at 5 ppm chlorine. What if my water is at a lower level? If I added tap water straight to the aquarium a week later, would the dechlorinator still be in the system and dechlorinate the new water? I don't change my water this way, but am curious because I add the standard dose but my water is only at 1-1.5 ppm. Do I have a big reserve buffer built up that could accept straight tap water?
 
Good questions,I have often wondered how long dechlorinators lasted in the water they were added to.
 
Do I have a big reserve buffer built up that could accept straight tap water?
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No. Reducing agents such as Prime and Safe contain hydrosulphide salts which are reducing agents. This is why it reacts with chlorine compounds, which are oxidising agents. Once there are no chlorine compounds left in the aquarium water it will begin reducing others things, such as O2. Better to find out exactly what your local water parameters are and treat accordingly.
 
from what i understand it burns it self out with in about 48 hours,
 
from what i understand it burns it self out with in about 48 hours,
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While Prime can potentially remain active for up to 48 hrs (depending on the circumstances, every tank can vary) - that does not mean that one should expect any residual left over following a water change. (beyond several hours)
 
I agree.
 
i wish representatives for companies made appearances on the forum more often.

pretty often people have really specific questions like that and it would be nice if a product rep could give us answers.

no offense, RD, i know you know what you're talking about. Im just saying..
 
they give the same answer RD did, depends on your tank, and no 2 tanks are the same. there recommendations are on a controlled mean. but like chlorine there is none left, its gone by 48 hours at the latest.
 
Seachem have their own forum, but over the years answers to the same exact questions seem to vary among reps. It used be 24 hrs, then it went to 48 hrs, and 5x overdose was safe at a certain level of their products, with almost no fear of serious 02 level reduction, now the recommended dosage rate has been lowered due to fear of the average consumer potentially overdosing their tank (from the CEO's lips to my ears), and causing a reduction in 02 levels.

Best to test your own water, and trust your own tests. Way too many variables involved for anyone at Seachem to give definitive answers to many of these questions. But for those interested in asking a rep.

http://www.seachem.com/support/forums/index.php
 
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