Using Dechlor for your Pond - Ask #55

[@danjohnson6292]

Eric, the way you described is the way I have always used dechlor ever since I was 10 and had a 10-gal aquarium. No one ever told me how to use the product. Just always assumed that once you treated the water that it did not need to be treated again, only the new, untreated water would need to be treated with the dechlor.

[@ThePondDigger]

+Dan Johnson Thanks for sharing your experience!

[@josiahcrousore146]

Thanks for the info Eric. We like to use both dry and liquid dechlorinator during pond cleanouts. The dry gets lightly sprinkled on the pond shelves so that as the pond fills it can contact the dechlorinator, and the liquid gets added to the system to circulate. We feel safe reintroducing the fish to the pond right away when doing this as long as oxygen and temperatures are adequate. I second the importance of keeping dechlorinator on hand for emergencies. Problems always seem to happen at night or on a holiday weekend when stores are closed. Keeping product handy can be lifesaving for your fish. Specialty Water Gardens, Columbia, Missouri

[@aviatom1]

I'm sure some folks misunderstood de-chlore when starting out. I made many mistakes with my first pond but always "made" water with de-clore measured in a 50 gal container and then pumped that to the pond. Wish I found your channel before all the other mistakes I made.

[@MikesFishRoom1]

Great video! Thanks for your time. Have been using seachem safe for two above grounds(800 & 500 gallon) for over two years. Due to Seachem's directions, I have always dechlorinated the total water volume no matter the water change percentage. Is there a better dechlor that will allow me to do as you said. I have just finished my 1st in ground(5k gal) and would love to cut down on supplements I add. Thanks again!

[@Slowboi335xi]

im building a big Bass pond and the only thing i need is fish, i cant find any place online to order bass do u know where i can order them online???

[@Mrdotmoo]

The only thing I was unsure about when adding new water was when to add in the Dechlor. To air on the safe side I was filling up my 70 gal stock tank and then dechlorinating the water then adding to the pond. I was not sure if I should add the water and the dechlor simultaneously to the pond. So this video definitely helped ease the understanding of how the dechlor works! Thanks Eric! Have you ever tested the usage of Retro bottom drains? My pond was built without a bottom drain and adding one will be too risky for the fish do you think that a retro bottom drain will be almost as good as a bottom drain?

[@ThePondDigger]

+Sean Burke I am not a big fan of retro drains......... sorry.

[@joansmith3492]

No but, I think it's the API stress coat conditioner directions that say you can add a little more when adding new fish to help with the slime coating. So I also seem to add a little more for "insurance".

[@tratos1]

What type and brand are you are displaying?

[@ThePondDigger]

+tratos1 The Pond Digger Brand! PM me and I will send you a free sample!! BOOM! Are you on Periscope yet? If so, What is your user name? Follow me on Periscope for killer content before I share it anywhere!!!

[@tratos1]

+ThePondDigger yes I am on periscope with the same name. I tend to get your replay more often though. And that is great to see you have so many products under your branding.

[@lorahish5444]

THANK YOU for explaining this, Eric! Finally! I have not used Dechlor (yet) however, I have not seen any product explain that you only need to treat the "new" water. Sadly, I was not aware and of course, nervous to not add enough. I've watched so many of your videos in the past year, as a new pond owner, but hadn't seen this one yet so thank you. What was also not apparent to me was how some water conditioners interfere with medications. I've been battling ich and so frustrated I can't get rid of it. Quarantine'd my fish over the summer and still couldn't fight it off. Then discovered that despite my reading directions the conditioner I was using reduces medication because it's a sulfinate, sulfoxylate based conditioner. I read your products description but it doesn't mention the active ingredients - is it a sulfinate base or sodium thiosulfate base? Either way, thank you for explaining! Love all your videos and knowledge.

[@Lairy67]

Hi Eric, I only have a 1145 gallon pond, It's about 4 months old now and seems established ok.Never used de-clorinator, or any water treatment for that matter. Only added EA pond bombs and some clay in my Eazypod.Not had any problems so far...(11 koi, 1 Sturgeon). Does it really make that much difference ? or a marketing ploy ? P.S Love the video's

[@ThePondDigger]

+Andy Sheppard Thanks for the share! It is not a marketing ploy. I have had clients that have never added a single water treatment to their pond in ten years.......then disaster strikes with chlorine. Beneficial bacteria always makes a big benefit. Best of luck to you.

[@mobylover22]

I've been using Pond Digger Dry De-Chlorinator. I mix it with water to have a bottle on-hand for my pond and aquariums. I figured 1 oz dry de-chlor / 9 oz water makes a 1 drop per gallon concentration. Is that correct? Thanks for your entertaining and informative videos. I was able to build my 8x10 koi pond by myself (I'm a not-young woman) and I did a great job - thanks to your videos.

[@ThePondDigger]

+diane hall Thank you so much for your feedback! That is a great question. I will need to do the math to double check your calculations. It's a great plan you have. I love hearing how you tackled your own koi pond. Stay posted for many new videos!

[@JMarcantel]

I didn't even know you needed dechlorinator for your fish water. I know now though and I'm going to buy some today. I hope I didn't hurt my fish too much. I'm new to this and did not know, and just bought fish and put them in the water. I never knew it was an issue. All of them seem fine but I'm going to go get some just because I'm worried for their safety. Thank you

[@tjjames3704]

Very informative. I was always told to treat an entire tank when it comes to aquariums. Using Prime etc. Unless the water is treated prior to putting in the tank. I am either wrong or ponds are different.

[@ThePondDigger]

Good point. Many manufactures will want to sell more product and aquariums are a much smaller body of water so it's not a bad thing to treat the entire tank. I just don't think it's necessary. In fact, I served aquariums for 15 years and have always just treated the incoming water.

[@clearegtower9468]

I overdosed dechlor in my aquariums for quite a few years. When I started my first (real) aquarium, I did the full tank treatment thing, and never gave it a second thought! Stupid me lol... :P

[@ThePondDigger]

+Josh's Aquatics & Railroad Videos Just a waste of money. Not the end of the world. Now you know! Have a great week!

[@clearegtower9468]

ThePondDigger You, too!

[@insaneinnixa]

what kind of treatment should I use on well water

[@ThePondDigger]

+Mark Patrick Well water just needs to be oxygenated well!

[@codingforslowpeople6721]

Hi, is this product good for fish that will be used for food consumption? I looked up many items online and they all say their product is for ornamental fish used only

[@lkgreydogs]

We’ve been using Safe by Seachem on our small koi pond. We have it for our Cichlid aquariums.

[@ThePondDigger]

That works too! Keep in touch with me daily on instagram! Username - @theponddigger

[@usaydmanu5595]

Is dechlorination of the water the only thing that you need to do before u put a fish like koi into it

[@50f150]

how do you know how many gallons are takin out during the water change

[@christinemccoy32]

+50f150 chiming in here from experience if I can...BUY A METER that hooks onto your hose for refills......that way there is no guess work to it......even checking your water meter of your home helps..but the meter that attaches to your hose...is the best...WISH SOMEONE HAD TAUGHT ME THIS BACK IN THE DAY..is why I felt I could chime in....tell me if I'm wrong Eric....????

[@sharkfin154]

im guessing you take how many gallons per hour your pump is times how many hours you were draining water. should get you close at least

[@danjohnson6292]

+50f150 I usually estimate about 2-3 inches of evaporation per week and and use the volume calculation to figure out the gallons. My estimate is based on my winter evaporation when the water source for the auto-fill value is shut off. I figure about twice the evaporation during the warmer months. For me, 1 inch of water loss is about 90-100 gallons.

[@peterwilson3762]

great info Eric. What about rainfall water to substitute tap water ? chlorinate to be sure ?

[@africancichlids3011]

+Peter Wilson no need to declorinate rain water their is no chlorine , but their may be harmful chemicals and prime nuetrlizes heavy metals and amonia and nitrate....

[@peterwilson3762]

Hi all . I'm in the process of moving my pond that's why I asked about rainwater. I have access to 3 water butts so will definitely check the water before releasing into my new pond. 👍

[@ThePondDigger]

+Peter Wilson I have never had a problem with rainwater.

[@joansmith3492]

I use rainwater. Rainwater is known to be more acidic and soft. My rainwater has a ph of 6.4, KH 2 and GH 3. My tapwater has a ph of 8.0, KH 6 and GH 8. I use a 50/50 mixture of tap water and rainwater to get a more neutral ph with better buffering. (My understanding is soft water can lead to ph swings). I use a decholorinator dose for the total volume thinking I want the slim coat benefit.

[@kaykay5488]

i would like to know more about your pond products for maintenance such as dechlors and clarifiers...I'm still new to the hobby so any suggestions will be appreciated.

[@sissymurphy9620]

I have well water and amazed at how many people do not test there well water .They just say to me it is safe because it is well water and they also do not think about the temperature of the well water that is going into the pond .After heavy rains the PH in my well water goes up and there is more iron in my water .I filter my water with a whole house filter .My well is over 400 ft in the ground and the water comes out really cold all year round .All well water is not always safe for 1 reason or the other .

[@ThePondDigger]

+sissy murphy and usually low in oxygen!

[@sissymurphy9620]

true .I usually use my hydrant in the yard for water straight from the well and after heavy long rains we have had ph go up from it .I have also had ph go down in the pond from all the rain .It can be a battle .

[@sissymurphy9620]

OK question for you do you have more female ponders or male ponders and also with followers that are more female or male .I am seeing more women around my area that build ponds

[@ThePondDigger]

+sissy murphy That is a tough question. I think it is close to 50/50

[@sissymurphy9620]

I drug my hubby into ponding kicking and screaming all the way .He only likes to feed the fish and I do the rest .

[@jefffranz5181]

lost all my fish to a dechlor accident :-(

[@ThePondDigger]

+Jeff Franz UGGG!!! I hate when that happens!

[@christinemccoy32]

oh...my favorite subject..DE-CHLORINATOR...YIKES.......................my builder never ever told me about it..and...SOLD ME FISH.....but...another contractor helping me find my horrible leakssss...taught me...WHAT THE HECK..IF YOU BUILD A POND..AND KNOW YOUR CLIENT IS GOING TO HAVE FISH..ANDDDDD YOU SELL THEM FISH...ANDDD YOU TELL THEM ON PAPER HOW TO USE CHEMICLES....WHY WOULDN'T YOU TELL THEM ABOUT DE-CLORINATOR.....duhhhhhhhh......good on you Digger......teach consumers the RIGHT WAY!!!! BOOM!!!!!!

[@ThePondDigger]

+Christine McCoy Thanks for participating!

[@50f150]

thanks never thought about the refill water being on a meter I was thinking of a meter on the discharge thanks I will be buying a meter 👍

[@danjohnson6292]

+Christine McCoy Christine, maybe the builder added dechlor for you? But I am surprised he would not have told you about using it to treat new water in the future.

[@christinemccoy32]

well....you should see what I ended up with here...then you wouldn't be surprised....PARR...........:)...but we'll get fixed....not accepting this PGW....:) ty for your comments...:) staying positive...PRETTY SURPRISING HUH....! Didn't know the Pond Digger when hiring a contractor..or..WOULDN'T BE A PGW...! :)

[@danjohnson6292]

+Christine McCoy I research everything on the internet to educate myself.... I try to leave nothing to chance. I know as a guy I'm not supposed to but I also read product labels and directions/instructions. That is why Eric's channel is so awesome and he has so many subs. The information is timely and accurate!

[@JodyGrogu]

In the Netherlands we don't need dechlor, happy about that.

[@ThePondDigger]

+Bert Snietsel Fantastic!

[@Cyberbobxxxx]

Don’t buy this overpriced commercial product This guy is selling. Buy a bag of Sodium Thiosulphate crystals for £3 that will last years. This guy if he was any good would of told you that!!! Just a money maker that includes the Kio tax. Also for the correct information, if you do a 20% water change you have to treat the entire pond. Don’t give out bad un researched information!!!