When Should you Add Dechlorinator During Water Change Cycle? 

A dechlorinator better known as a water conditioner is an integral part of owning and managing an aquarium. Without it, the ecosystem of your aquarium will go down in shambles. The significance that it holds in keeping your aquarium perfect and safe for your fishes makes it an absolute must. As most aquarists use tap water to fill their aquarium a dechlorinator is needed. It must be used while adding water to your fresh and while doing a water change as well.  

In this article, we will be giving importance to the process of water change. Tackling questions regarding dechlorination during water changes clears your confusion and makes it easy for you.  

What is a Dechlorinator? 

A Dechlorinator is a chemical substance used in an aquarium to make the ecosystem a perfect place for the fishes to thrive. In simple words, it gets rid of all the chlorine in the water, as most tap water is used to fill the aquarium. The chemical will remove all the chlorine from the water giving the fish a healthy life.  

Why Should You Use Dechlorinator?  

In the city areas, the water supply is applied with a touch of chlorine. This is done as a remedy for the removal of harmful bacteria and substances. In turn, the water is made safe for drinking and daily uses. Though this chlorine present in the water is not the best thing if you own an aquarium. The amount of chlorine that is used is safe for humans. Although not for your aquarium.  

The chlorine will straightaway affect the nitrifying bacteria present in your aquarium. Everyone knows the importance of nitrifying bacteria in an aquarium. It synthesizes all the harmful chemicals like ammonia and nitrates into harmless substances. As the presence of these chemicals has a detrimental effect on your fish. They will in time burn the gills of your fish. So the less the nitrifying bacteria the more these chemicals will accumulate.  

Dechlorinators do the perfect job of getting rid of chlorine which dominates the nitrifying bacteria. So the importance of dechlorinators is a clear-cut one. Using it is a must. While purchasing a dechlorinator be mindful to notice it is for removing chloramine as well. Chloramine is a compound of ammonia and chlorine which is also added to the water. So check whether the dechlorinator you are going for gets rid of this as well. Make sure to not buy cheap ones as they will cost you later on.  

When to dechlorinate water during the water change cycle? 

Owning an aquarium is no easy thing it requires proper maintenance as a little change can affect your fish and make your perfect habitat go erratic. Water changes are essential or let’s say intrinsic to maintaining an aquarium. As the water is bound to get dirty and changes are important. As mostly tap water is used to fill up the aquarium the presence of chlorine is a given. If you’re wondering why chlorine is present, it is added to make the water safe for drinking in urban areas.  

While doing a water change you can add the dechlorinator based on the required amount which is mentioned in the bottle in the new water. You don’t have to wait for hours for it to clear away the chlorine as the dechlorinators available these days work a bit faster. Fill the required amount of water you need to add to the aquarium on a container and drip in the dechlorinator and wait for a while. After that just add the water to the aquarium.  

How much dechlorinator should you use?  

The answer to this question is present in the bottle or the container of the dechlorinator. You will have to use a certain amount of dechlorinator like two drops or one drop for a volume of water. Different brands of dechlorinators have different doses.  

Does the dechlorinator affect the fish?  

No matter what dechlorinator is a chemical and it is natural to be bothered if it affects your fish or not. The answer to your concern is no. Dechlorinators do not affect fish. Even if you overdose on it, it won’t affect your fish.  

Excessive dose of dechlorinators  

The dechlorinators don’t affect your fish but it affects your aquarium. It is rare that a dechlorinator overdoses in an aquarium.  

If you happen to overuse the dechlorinator it will result in a residual in a tank. The residual usually occurs in a small tank rather than the large one. The dechlorinator will affect the levels of oxygen in the tank as well if used too much. The oxygen levels will become low and in turn, leave less oxygen for your fish.  

These all happen if you use a cheap dechlorinator. In the case of an aquarium, remember to never go for cheap products for they are never good.  

Which dechlorinator is the best for your aquarium? 

The best dechlorinator that you can avail yourself of is Seachem Prime. This dechlorinator or water conditioner is the best in terms of getting rid of the chlorine from your aquarium. This dechlorinator will cost you $10 to $13. You can purchase it from any online store like Amazon or you can go to any pet store to get it.  

Not just removing chlorine it does the work of managing the levels of ammonia and nitrates in your tank. If you are going through an ammonia spike in your aquarium this is an ideal remedy for it.  

Chlorine is one of the most unwanted chemicals in an aquarium. You don’t even want to wish for a little amount mixed in your aquarium water column. They will get rid of the nitrifying bacteria which is a significant factor in the maintenance of a healthy ecosystem.

Dechlorinators are the best remedy for chlorine and don’t ever skip on adding dechlorinators. The best part is they don’t pose a threat to your fish. So use a dechlorinator during water change as it is a must!