WC question

[senorkevin]

I have just finish a super DIY job even if I do say so myself!
I have just managed to connect a tap under the toilet sink so I add add a hose and fill the tank without the need of buckets and breaking my wrist!
My question is when filling up the tank, how should I apply the chlorine neutralizer? Before, during or after filling?

 

[gilpi]

Just before and adding a few drops extra wouldn't hurt. I love my hose as well! Added note...
It wasn't till I started doing massive water changes that my fish started to grow like crazy and look so much better, the hose just makes it so much easier.

 

[senorkevin]

Ok cool. Thanks

 

[enrgizerbunny]

Turn filter off during change, treat tank for entire volume, regardless of % water changed.

Sent from my SCH-I435 using Aquarium Advice mobile app

 

[senorkevin]

Why do I need to turn the filter off?

 

[GlubGlub]

You don't want untreated tap water running through the beneficial bacteria in your filter and killing them. Turning off the filter gives the dechlorinator a chance to mix with the tap and work.

 

[senorkevin]

How long should I turn it off for?

 

[GlubGlub]

Just until you've added the new water. The dechlorinator works pretty much instantly; it just needs a chance to mix which will happen as you are adding new water.

 

[senorkevin]

Ok thanks. Also why do I need to treat the whole tank if for example I am changing only 50%?

 

[GlubGlub]

It's due to concentrations. The dechlorinator works much faster and completely when it is in a higher concentration. You aren't adding a particular amount of dechlorinator. You are adding a particular concentration, which means you need to use whole tank volume or it won't be as effective.

 

[senorkevin]

Thanks for your advice

 

[gimmethatfish]

I don't know what kind of fish you have, but keep in mind too that it will only be cold water coming in (I would think since the toilet only has a cold line), so you won't be able to control the temperature.

 

[senorkevin]

I have Molly's, platys guppies etc. I was checking the temp drop yesterday and it only dropped 1 degree

 

[gimmethatfish]

Oh that's great!

 

[senorkevin]

Thank god I live in Mexico and the water isn't that cold!

 

[gimmethatfish]

I was just thinking of the times I've had to service my toilet tank and my fingers went numb from cold before I got the job done! But I'm in Michigan. Our tap water comes out almost as cold as the fridge year-round.

 

[senorkevin]

Move to Mexico like me!

 

[jwh0818]

My cold tap comes out a steady 71.8 in the winter and 76-80 in the summer