Conditioner for aquarium water: features and recommendations for use
Just pouring water into the aquarium is not enough. In order to create optimal conditions for fish there, you need to take care of the quality of the environment. The use of an air conditioner plays an important role in this concern.
Peculiarities
Pouring tap water into an aquarium is a big risk. Aquatic animals can be severely affected by chlorine and other harmful gases. Chlorine is excellently soluble in water, so it is very important to neutralize it using special methods.... But at the same time, chlorine is used by many plumbing organizations. The concentration of halogen in water varies with the season.
Even if a very small amount of a harmful substance is present, it can be detrimental to the fish. The gills of aquatic organisms are the first to be affected.
Attempts to render the aquarium water harmless by settling are impractical. You need to withstand it for at least 2 days, but it is still better to use special preparations.
Varieties of reagents
Dechlorinators work more or less the same - they chemically interact with dissolved gas, which leads to the appearance of less hazardous compounds. Sodium sulfite and sodium hydrogen sulfite are most commonly used. Sometimes sodium hydroxymethane sulfinate and some other substances are used. But it is important to understand that proprietary dechlorinating drug recommendations contain only average recommended doses. Consideration should be given to seasonal and other variations in water composition.
To prepare an aquarium environment at home, not only dechlorinators can be used. Specialized mixtures that remove heavy metals are widely used. In a closed small reservoir, the danger of such elements of the periodic table increases significantly.They are detrimental to all living organisms. Another type of air conditioner is used to combat fish waste.
If this waste is not removed, the normal existence of the aquarium will be in question. Another type of aquarium water conditioner keeps pets healthy and lowers the risk of infection. It does this by strengthening the protective mucus.
Aloe vera extract and other plant components will give the desired effect. Important: the latter type of preparation is unacceptable if the water is initially very strongly purified or the environment in the aquarium mimics sea conditions.
Popular remedies
Quite often, aquarists use the brand's aquarium water conditioner. Tetra AquaSafe. This drug is able to eliminate contamination:
- zinc;
- lead;
- copper;
- heavy metals.
The liquid agent provides a quick adaptation of the inhabitants of an artificial reservoir. It is most in demand at the time of launching aquariums. Almost all dissolved chlorine is removed from the water. The resulting colloidal solution increases the protective properties of the mucous membranes. Magnesium and Vitamin B1 supplements, also included in AquaSafe, can help prevent or significantly reduce stress.
You can use this composition in moderation: 5 ml of reagent should be used per 10 liters of water. This dosage is used for both initial start-up and water changes. Important: for the best effect, it is advised to additionally use the product TetraVital. A good alternative can be considered and Aquayer Antitoxin Vita. This drug was developed by Sergey Ermolaev.
The peculiarity of the composition is effective protection against chlorine, chloramines of heavy metals... The proprietary instructions state that "Antitoxin" allows you not to defend water. With regular use of the drug, fish will be protected from various diseases. Like AquaSafe, this product contains magnesium and B1. The recommended average dosage is 1 ml per 8 liters of tap water. The combination of the drug with other aquarium reagents is not allowed.
A good alternative is a remedy from a firm Sera. Like the two previous complexes, it is ideal for purifying tap water from a wide range of harmful impurities. Average consumption per 20 l is 5 ml of mixture. It can be used in transport aquariums. In terms of chemical composition and basic properties, all three drugs are approximately the same.
With skillful use, they will help:
- exclude contamination of aquatic animals with bacterial and viral agents;
- remove cloudy suspension;
- reduce the toxicity of the aquarium environment;
- suppress the development of algae and microscopic fungi;
- cope with the appearance of worms, snails, leeches and other harmful inhabitants of the container;
- optimize water hardness and acid-base balance.
Important: it is undesirable to use Azoo blackwater. When applied, the water turns blue. Other formulations, if used correctly, will be extremely useful. All three of the above products ensure the health and activity of aquatic life. The choice between them is only a matter of personal taste and the available assortment in a particular place.
Another promising drug is Aquacons. It combines all three main effects created by different types of air conditioners at once. Important: Aquacons are equally suitable for fresh and salt water. It can be used both in the daily keeping of fish and during their transportation. It is even allowed to be used in quarantine tanks where newly purchased creatures are kept.
It is possible to detect that water contains too many substances visually, focusing on its transparency and the presence of foreign organisms. However, it is recommended to use test strips more often.
They will allow you to detect contamination that has not yet externally manifested itself. To optimize the aggressive environment, use "Aquacons Instant Protection".It is poured in 5 ml per 50 ml of water - this is exactly what the bottle cap contains.
Returning to TetraAqua AquaSafe, it should be noted that This product contains a colloidal solution of silver. The drug is packaged in 50, 100, 250, 500 and 5000 ml. Not a bad choice would be AquaSafe Goldfish. He easily and in a short time adapts the tap water so that cold-resistant fish can be raised in it. Goldfish includes colloidal substances that improve the protection of the fins.
TetraAqua Bactozym Conditioner is designed to accelerate the restoration of biochemical equilibrium. This preparation is suitable for any water, regardless of its salinity. Under its influence, hazardous organic substances decompose. Bactozym is also beneficial for the vascular microflora. Use this conditioner in 1 capsule per 100L volume to reduce damage caused by:
- change of water;
- flushing filters;
- the use of veterinary drugs.
Next, watch the video review of the Tetra aquasafe aquarium water conditioner.