Water conditioners

[dag]

I was just wondering if anyone has ever made (or if its possible to make) water conditioner from scratch . I use it religiously to remove chlorine and my tanks are healthy . I just thought I'd ask as it would be nice to know if it's possible and economically wise to do so . Is there some recipe for the conditioners like stress zyme etc ?

[Dinyar]

Sodium thiosulfate (2S2O3(-2)) is a bulk chemical that is used as a dechlorinating agent. Another such agent is sodium sulfite (Na2SO3), which you can buy in pool supply stores. These and similar chemicals neutralize chlorine and chloramine. Most municipal water supplies in Western countries nowadays use chloramine. When chloramine reacts with a dechlorinating agent, ammonia is one of the byproducts. So simply getting rid of the chlorine is not enough, you also have to neutralize the ammonia that is released. I am not aware of any simple bulk chemical that can be safely used to detoxify ammonia. Sodium thiosulfate also has the side effect of reducing dissolved oxygen.

If you are determined to start "from scratch" and are willing to go through the effort and expense, physical means of removing chlorine/chloramine are probably a better alternative. Filtration with appropriate quantities of carbon will get rid of chlorine (but not chloramine). Thoroughly boiling the water will get rid of chlorine and chloramine (better to let the water cool down before you add it to your fish tank, though, unless you're making bouillabaisse).

In short, there is no simple and cheap alternative to commercial dechlorinating products, especially when it comes to removing chloramine/ammonia. Make sure the product you are using neutralizes both chlorine AND ammonia. And use no more than the prescribed amount; using too much not only does your fish no additional good, it could potentially do both your fish and your wallet minor harm.

Dinyar

[dag]

Thanks so much dinyar , for the quck and knowledgable response . Because I would never risk my fish or waste money I will be sticking to the presently available products of course , but your information is invaluable to anyone just in case . I believe that in calgary the water is treated with both chlorine and chloramine and it sounds like a person would have to have a really good grasp on chemistry to do their own recipe . I just love this site as almost any question gets responded to by someone who knows what they are talking about . I , as someone with much to learn ( and infinite questions that just pop into my head ) , appreciates the help . Thanks again !
Dag

[jurassic_pork]

I use wardley watercare complete conditioner and have done so for a while now without any problems,Its a little more expensive than other brands (well here in the UK it is) But the 4 FL/OZ bottle i buy treats about two and a half thousand gallons and you only need use one drop per gallon and it lasts me quite awhile with keeping 3 tanks and weekly water changes


Mark

[Dinyar]

After checking out and using many brands over the years, we have settled on Seachem Prime as the most functionally effective and cost-effective. 1 ml Prime to 40 l water is way better mileage than the other brands we've tried.

Dinyar

[jurassic_pork]

I have not seen seachem at any of my LFS here in the UK does anyone know if it's available ?


Thanks,mark

[DeLBoD]

Yes it is, Try google search for â??Seachem PRIME UKâ?

[dag]

Thanks everyone . I am going to check out those other makes you mentioned as here the stores always push stresscoat oraquaclear
dag