Who Gives A Fish Forums

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.

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?

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.

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.

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?

MindBender wrote: ↑Sun May 18, 2025 10:12 pm 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.

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.

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

Lynxer wrote: ↑Mon May 19, 2025 12:13 am 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.

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.