Why not add ACE to salt mix?

[StephS]

Hi, I work part time in a SW shop and one of my customers informed me (while trying to trouble shoot his tank, why all his fish have died), that he puts his dechlorinator (I think he might use Ammo-Chlor) right into the saltwater mix IN the tank!

Now I'm no chemist but MY bottle of ACE says dechlorinate your freshwater first and then add your salt.

What happens if you do it the other way around?

 

[Enzo]

I don't think anything happens, I always forget to put the dechlorinator in and always end up putting it in after I have mixed the salt. I have done it tons of times, probably more times than I have the way you are suppose to do it. Hope this helped.
John

 

[StephS]

Hmmm...well, thanks for giving me more food for thought!! I've always done it according to "package directions" so I can't speak to the results if you dechlorinate the salt mix. I usually use Prime for my reef water and it only says "...better if added to new water first" rather than directly to the tank.

I suppose different chemicals are used for different dechlorinators? Maybe I oughta try to ask this question to Jungle Labs.

 

[ReefLion]

FYI I think a lot of cities have switched from chlorine to chloramine, or something like that. Just something to check on and making sure you're dealing with. In almost all cases, the best defense is a good old RO/DI unit, along with decent waiting time (curing time) before using any new saltwater.

Tim

 

[Enzo]

hey,
I got an idea, how about PUR water filters, you know the ones attached to the sink faucet. I am only 14 and can't afford RO/DI, I would think that that would be better than nothing. Doesn't it get rid of some metals, that make it better to drink.
John

 

[StephS]

Actually I was just using the word "dechlorinator" generically - meaning to use a dechlorinator/dechloraminator/ammonia remover liquid added to the fresh tap water before making up the salt mix.

The real question still remains, is there any harm in adding one of these chemicals to already made up salt mix? Anyone know?