What They Remove
Chlorine: standard in all conditioners.
Chloramine: not all conditioners remove this. Read labels.
Heavy metals: most premium brands include this.
Ammonia: detoxifies temporarily — Seachem Prime specifically.
Top Picks
Seachem Prime: most concentrated (1ml per 10 gallons), detoxifies ammonia 24h.
API Stress Coat: includes aloe vera for slime coat. Mid-range.
Tetra AquaSafe: budget-friendly, removes chlorine and metals.
Dosing Math
Most products specify per-gallon dose. Match to water volume changed.
Overdose is generally harmless. Underdose leaves chloramine — dangerous.
When You Don't Need It
Well water with no chlorine treatment.
Aged water (24+ hours dechlorinates passively).
RO/DI water for sensitive species.
- ✦Buy concentrated brands for cost savings on large tanks
- ✦Refill bottles for 1L purchases that last months
- ✦Test water 24h after first use to verify performance