Are my water conditioners bad for planted tanks?

Sumpin'fishy · 11-20-2003, 03:24 AM

I just read an article talking about being careful about which water conditioner you use to treat your tap water. They said it's best to use a simple dechlorinator in planted tanks because if the conditioner binds heavy metals, it can make them unavailable to plants. Anyone found this to be true? I was also wondering whether ammonia,nitrite, and nitrate removal are beneficial features of a planted tank conditioner?

I currently use PRIME by Seachem. It's one of those "all-in-one" recipes. It removes Chloramine, Chlorine, and Ammonia. It "detoxifies" Nitrite and Nitrate. It also provides a Slime Coat. Another cheap water conditioner I use is Aquarium Pharmaceuticals "Tap Water Conditioner". I usually just use this to add to small quantities of water like what I fill my canister or buckets with, since it only takes one drop per gallon. This one Removes Chlorine, breaks the Chloramine Bond, and Detoxifies Heavy Metals. Should I be looking for another conditioner? I have not noticed any problems in my planted tanks (or even my FO tanks), but I was wondering if maybe I'm wasting fertilizers compensating for these losses? I understand how it's easier for plants to utilize ammonia rather than nitrate. Am I really losing anything beneficial?

anonapersona · 11-20-2003, 03:44 AM

I used both of those, and keep the Prime on hand just in case.

If you decide to go cheaper, you can get 5 lbs of Sodium Thiosulphate; 4 oz makes a quart, use at 1 drop per gallon....so, let's see, ~60 drops/teaspoon x 3 teaspoon/tablespoon x 16 tablespoon/ cup x 4 cup/ qt and 5 lbs makes 20 quarts...

Holy Cow! Treats 230,400 gallons of water. That should last me about 4500 years.

You wanna buy some sodium thiosulphate? I got a bit to spare!

11-20-2003, 03:24 AM	#1 (permalink)
Sumpin'fishy Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Savannah, GA. Posts: 11	I just read an article talking about being careful about which water conditioner you use to treat your tap water. They said it's best to use a simple dechlorinator in planted tanks because if the conditioner binds heavy metals, it can make them unavailable to plants. Anyone found this to be true? I was also wondering whether ammonia,nitrite, and nitrate removal are beneficial features of a planted tank conditioner? I currently use PRIME by Seachem. It's one of those "all-in-one" recipes. It removes Chloramine, Chlorine, and Ammonia. It "detoxifies" Nitrite and Nitrate. It also provides a Slime Coat. Another cheap water conditioner I use is Aquarium Pharmaceuticals "Tap Water Conditioner". I usually just use this to add to small quantities of water like what I fill my canister or buckets with, since it only takes one drop per gallon. This one Removes Chlorine, breaks the Chloramine Bond, and Detoxifies Heavy Metals. Should I be looking for another conditioner? I have not noticed any problems in my planted tanks (or even my FO tanks), but I was wondering if maybe I'm wasting fertilizers compensating for these losses? I understand how it's easier for plants to utilize ammonia rather than nitrate. Am I really losing anything beneficial? __________________ "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost" Luke 19:10 NIV

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11-20-2003, 03:44 AM	#2 (permalink)
anonapersona Moderator (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0) Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 1,614	I used both of those, and keep the Prime on hand just in case. If you decide to go cheaper, you can get 5 lbs of Sodium Thiosulphate; 4 oz makes a quart, use at 1 drop per gallon....so, let's see, ~60 drops/teaspoon x 3 teaspoon/tablespoon x 16 tablespoon/ cup x 4 cup/ qt and 5 lbs makes 20 quarts... Holy Cow! Treats 230,400 gallons of water. That should last me about 4500 years. You wanna buy some sodium thiosulphate? I got a bit to spare!

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