DIY water dechlorinator?

[Lynxer]

Has anyone tried making their own water dechlorinator? I'm tired of buying the commercial stuff and wanna know if there's a cheaper way. My tank's a 20-gallon with a sponge filter, and I do weekly 25% changes.

[waveson1]

I've heard of using vitamin C tablets, but not sure how safe it is. My buddy tried it in his 10-gallon, but his Betta got kinda sketchy after a few weeks. Maybe it's not worth the risk?

[pyrope]

Vitamin C can work, but you gotta get the dosage right. Too much can mess with your pH. I've used it in my 55-gallon planted tank, but only half a tablet per 10 gallons. Also, make sure it's pure ascorbic acid, no additives.

[aquadude]

Yo, I've been using crushed up vitamin C for months now, no probs. My guppies are chill, and my plants are growing like crazy. Just don't go overboard, ya know? Start small and see how your fish react.

[MindBender]

Or you could just, I dunno, not be a cheapskate and buy the $5 bottle that lasts six months? But hey, if you wanna play mad scientist with your fish's lives, who am I to stop you?

[rapidox8]

Or you could just, I dunno, not be a cheapskate and buy the $5 bottle that lasts six months? But hey, if you wanna play mad scientist with your fish's lives, who am I to stop you?

That's a bit harsh. DIY methods can be safe if done correctly. I've used sodium thiosulfate crystals for years, and it's both cheap and effective. Just dissolve a pinch in your change water.

[berrylocks]

Sodium thiosulfate sounds legit. Where do you even get that stuff? I've only seen it online, and shipping costs more than the product. My 30-gallon's been running on store-bought dechlorinator, but I'm curious about alternatives.

[Lynxer]

Thanks for the tips, everyone. I'll look into sodium thiosulfate and maybe test vitamin C in a small bucket first. Appreciate the feedback!

[pyrope]

Thanks for the tips, everyone. I'll look into sodium thiosulfate and maybe test vitamin C in a small bucket first. Appreciate the feedback!

Smart move testing it first. Always better to be safe than sorry. Let us know how it goes.

[aquadude]

Yeah, keep us posted. If you nail the DIY method, you'll save a ton in the long run. My LFS charges an arm and a leg for the branded stuff, so I feel your pain.