Tap Water Conditioner

[Anna]

What is the best product to add to tap water when I clean the tank? I have been told not to add Stress Enzyeme and that Stress Coat is a bit of a waste too. Thats left me with no idea what to 'clean' new water with. Also, is every 2 weeks too often to do a vacuum and water change?

[GoGuppy]

What is the best product to add to tap water when I clean the tank? I have been told not to add Stress Enzyeme and that Stress Coat is a bit of a waste too. Thats left me with no idea what to 'clean' new water with. Also, is every 2 weeks too often to do a vacuum and water change?[/b]
G'day Fin

All some people do is stand the fresh water in a few buckets for a while, say about five to eight hours (depends on temperature, the colder the water the longer) to get rid of the chlorine, as this is a gas and will 'evaporate' out of the water over time.
The problem with this is that some water authorities (including Sydney Water) now add choramine (or monochloramine) to the water in addition to the chlorine. The chloramine does not evaporate out of the water and is poisonous to fish.
I use Prime made by Seachem, but basically any water ager/conditioner will work well, provided it states on the label it removes the chloramine. Just add a few drops/ small squirt of Prime to the fresh water before adding the water to the aquarium. Don't forget to make sure the water temperature of the fresh water is the same as the tank water, within a degree or so.
A smaller water change weekly is better than fortnightly. I do about a 10% water change weekly. Make the syphoning part of the water change routine, no problems there, but if you do it weekly just a gentle vacuum is all you need.
Cheers

[bettamuse]

I use "Safe" by seachem. We buy as a powder and by the kg.
We also use double the recommended dose as a little more neutraliser will not hurt the fish but any chlorine will.
Some of the seachem products like prime also lock up ammonia. Very good for bowls and fighter tanks.
BM