Do Goldfish Need Water Conditioners? (All You Need To Know)

A water conditioner helps to neutralize harmful chemicals like chlorine from the water. But does our goldfish require water conditioners? Are water conditioners safe for goldfish? How can you purify your goldfish water without using a water conditioner? Let us find out:

Goldfish need water conditioner as it helps eliminate harmful toxins like chlorine and chloramine from the water. Not using a water conditioner can expose your goldfish to toxic chemicals present in the tap water. However, adding excessive water conditioners can lower the tank’s oxygen levels.

The below article will discuss the benefits of water conditioner for your goldfish water. In addition, we will also learn to purify the tank’s water without using a water conditioner.

Is water conditioner necessary?

A water conditioner is necessary as it helps to eliminate the harmful toxins from the water that can lead to severe health issues in your goldfish.

Tap water contains chlorine, lead, mercury, and chloramine that can damage the gills of your goldfish and lead to other significant health issues.

So, using a water conditioner to treat your tap water before adding it to your goldfish tank is essential for the well-being of your fish.

However, it would be best not to use excessive water conditioner as it can bind the oxygen leading to oxygen deficiency in the tank. 

In addition, it is also essential to choose the right type of water conditioner for your goldfish, as many water conditioners only help eliminate chlorine and chloramine. 

In contrast, others help eliminate chlorine, chloramine, and other toxic chemicals.

We advise you to use API Tap Water Conditioners for your goldfish as it helps to eliminate all the toxic chemicals from the water, making it safe for your goldfish. 

You can buy it from Amazon API TAP WATER CONDITIONER.

What are the advantages of water conditioner for goldfish?

Here are the advantages of a water conditioner for your goldfish.

Eliminate chlorine and chloramine

A water conditioner helps eliminate all the harmful chemicals like chlorine, chloramine, lead, and mercury from the water, that can lead to significant health issues in your fish.

Neutralize ammonia

A water conditioner also helps in neutralizing ammonia levels in the tank. Excessive ammonia buildup in the tank can lead to ammonia poisoning in your goldfish, eventually affecting your fish’s gills and causing several other health issues.

Particulars Goldfish
Ammonia Level0-0.25ppm
Nitrite Level0ppm
Nitrate LevelBelow 40ppm
Ideal Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrate Levels for your goldfish tank.

Also read: Ammonia Poisoning In Goldfish

We advise using API ammonia test kit to check the ammonia levels in your tank as it provides accurate results.

You can buy it from Amazon  API TEST KIT.

Provide a safe environment for your fish

Water conditioners help provide a safe living environment to your goldfish by eliminating all the harmful chemicals from the water.

You should always treat your tap water with a water conditioner before adding it directly to your tank to ensure the well-being of your goldfish.

However, you should not add excessive water conditioner as it can bind the oxygen leading to oxygen deficiency in your goldfish tank.

What happens if you don’t use the water conditioner in your goldfish tank?

A water conditioner helps to dechlorinate the water and eliminate all other harmful chemicals like ammonia, making it a safe environment for your goldfish to thrive.

Not using a water conditioner in your goldfish tank can lead to serious health issues in your goldfish.

Your goldfish can get exposed to harmful chemicals that can affect your fish, making them sick and prone to several diseases and parasites.

Too many harmful chemicals in the water can further lead to the passing away of your fish.

So, it will be advisable to treat your tap water with a water conditioner before adding it to your tank to ensure your goldfish’s well-being.

How much water conditioner should I use for my 10 Gallon tank?

Here is the amount of water conditioner you should use for your goldfish tank

ParticularsFor a 10 Gallon TankFor a 20-Gallon Tank For a 30-Gallon TankAdvisable For Goldfish
Water Conditioner5 ml ( 8-10 drops)10ml (18-20 drops)15ml (28-30 drops) API TAP WATER CONDITIONER.
The above table shows the ideal amount of water conditioner for your goldfish tank.

How often should you use a water conditioner for your goldfish tank?

You should use a water conditioner

  1. When adding fish to your tank.
  2. Performing a water change

A water conditioner will help eliminate the harmful toxins from the water, making it safe for your goldfish to thrive. 

Not using a water conditioner can make your goldfish exposed to toxic chemicals, eventually leading to the passing away of your goldfish. 

However, excessive use of water conditioners can bind the oxygen leading to oxygen deficiencies in your goldfish tank. 

Also read: How Often Should You Change Goldfish Water?

How to use a water conditioner for goldfish?

Using a water conditioner for your goldfish tank is a very easy process. Here are the steps for using a water conditioner for goldfish

  1. Add a water conditioner(according to tank size) to your tap water.
  2. Mix it properly
  3. Pour it into your tank

You can pour the treated tap water instantly into your aquarium. However, there should not be a significant temperature difference between the freshwater and the tank water as it can stress your goldfish. 

In addition, it will be advisable not to use excessive water conditioner in the tank as it binds the oxygen, leading to oxygen deficiency. 

How to purify your goldfish water without using a water conditioner?

Here are the ways to purify your goldfish water without using a water conditioner

  1. You can use pretreated or filtered water readily available in the pet store. However, a water conditioner will be a cheaper option than pretreated water.
  2. Leave your tap water outside in the sun for 24 hours to make the chlorine evaporate naturally. It is the simplest method to dechlorinate your goldfish water without using a water conditioner.
  3. Boil your tap water and let it cool for a day to eliminate chlorine.
  4. You can use vitamin C to eliminate chlorine and chloramine from your water. Add one teaspoon of ascorbic acid per gallon of water to neutralize both chlorine and chloramine from the water.
  5. You can use ultraviolet light to dechlorinate your goldfish water. You have to provide the UV rays to treat the water and eliminate the chlorine. Uv sterilization helps to eliminate both chlorine and chloramine from the water.

The above were the ways to dechlorinate your goldfish water without using a water conditioner. 

However, tap water contains many harmful chemicals other than chlorine and chloramine that the above process may not eliminate. 

So, it will be advisable to use a good water conditioner to provide an ideal living environment for your goldfish. 

Also read: Can Goldfish Live In Tap Water?

Conclusion:

  1. A water conditioner is necessary as it helps to eliminate all the harmful chemicals from the water.
  2. It would be best not to use excessive water conditioners as they can bind the oxygen leading to oxygen deficiency in the tank.
  3. Not using a water conditioner can expose your goldfish to harmful chemicals like chlorine and chloramine, leading to significant health issues in your goldfish.
  4. You should use a water conditioner while adding fish to the tank or performing a water change.
  5. We will advise you to use a water conditioner for your goldfish water to ensure the well-being of your fish.

Reference: ResearchGate

Recent Posts