If you need some good water conditioner for your aquarium, mainly to remove chlorine and other harmful substances, you’ve come to the right place. Let’s get to it and help you find the best water conditioner that the market has to offer.
Best Water Conditioners for Aquariums
- Splendid Betta Water Conditioner
- API Essential Water Conditioner
- Tetra 16172 AquaSafe Fish Tank Water Conditioner
- Tetra AquaSafe Plus Water Conditioner And Dechlorinator
- Seachem Prime Water Conditioner
Top 5 Best Water Conditioners for Aquariums
Here are the top 5 water conditioners that your money can buy.
1. Splendid Betta Water Conditioner: Our Top Pick
- Contains one (1) SPLENDID BETTA COMPLETE WATER CONDITIONER Water Conditioner 1.25-Ounce Bottle
- Neutralizes chlorine, chloramines, ammonia and other chemicals to make tap water safe for betta fish
Although this product is technically designed to be used with beta fish aquariums, it could technically be used for any fresh water tank. The main point of this product is to neutralize harmful chemicals such as ammonia, chlorine, and chloramines, therefore making the water perfectly safe for your fish.
It’s a rather perfect product to add into any tap water to make it safe for your aquarium fish. It helps to prevent fish death, tissue irritation, gill destruction, and more. Even better is the fact that it is specially formulated with both aloe Vera and green tea extract, which in combination help to reduce inflammation in fish.
This is a great product to use when you are first starting a beta bowl or any other kind of fresh water tank. It also happens to add some electrolytes into the water, therefore even healthier for your fish. All in all, this is likely my favorite product on the list today. All you have to do is put a few drops in the water as indicated by the instructions, and you are good to go.
Pros
- Reliable
- Safe for fish
- Beneficial for fish health
- Easy to use
- Cost effective
Cons
- Very small bottle
If you just need a very small bottle of aquarium water conditioner that comes in at a super low price, this is what I would recommend.
2. API Essential Water Conditioner
- Contains one (1) API AQUA ESSENTIAL Water Conditioner 16 ounce bottle; treats up to 4,730 U.S....
- WORKS INSTANTLY: Highly concentrated aquarium treatment works instantly to remove harmful chemicals,...
Here we have another very fantastic product that is super simple to use. All you have to do is place the appropriate amount of the liquid into your tap water as indicated by the instructions. Within a very limited amount of time.
This product has the capability to neutralize a wide variety of toxic substances that your fish cannot handle. This includes ones such as chlorine, chloramine, heavy metals, ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates. It removes virtually anything that your fish cannot easily handle. This therefore helps to improve the overall health and lifespan of your fish.
What you get here is a 16 ounce bottle that is able to treat nearly 5000 US gallons of aquarium water, and it even comes in at a reasonable price. This product should also be totally fine to use for any fresh water tank out there. Just be sure that you follow the instructions for treating tap water properly.
Pros
- Fast and easy
- Big bottle
- Cost effective
- Fish safe
- Ideal for fresh and saltwater tanks
Cons
- Somewhat watered down
If you’re looking for an aquarium water conditioner that should last you for many months, then this is it.
3. Tetra 16172 AquaSafe Fish Tank Water Conditioner
- CONDITIONS aquarium WATER: Essential care formula protects fish and reduces stress.
- MAKES TAP WATER SAFE: Monthly treatment with partial water changes removes harmful chlorine.
here we have what is by far one of the simplest yet most effective products on the list today. Something you do need to keep in mind is that this is a 8.45 fluid oz bottle, so it’s not overly large. However, you just need two teaspoons for every 10 gallons of aquarium water, so as long as your tank is tube 8, it should last for quite some time. There is also the fact that it comes in at an extremely low price.
That said, what you need to be aware of is that this product is designed specifically to remove chlorine from the water and nothing else. As far as I can tell, although it does a fantastic job at removing chlorine from aquarium water, it won’t remove other toxins or heavy metals, so just beware of this. As long as your tap water is relatively clean, and you just need to remove some chlorine, then it should be fine.
Pros
- Works very well for chlorine removal
- Cost effect
- Easy to use
- Ideal for freshwater tanks
- Fish safe
Cons
- Only removes chlorine
If you need an aquarium water conditioner that removes just chlorine, then this is a product I would recommend checking out.
4. Tetra AquaSafe Plus Water Conditioner And Dechlorinator
- CONDITIONS aquarium WATER: Essential care formula protects fish and reduces stress.
- MAKES TAP WATER SAFE: Monthly treatment with partial water changes removes harmful chlorine.
Here we have what is actually the much more advanced version of the above product. First and foremost, what makes it more advanced is that it comes complete with a special seaweed extract that allows for the development of beneficial filter bacteria, therefore allowing for clear water and greater biological filtration capabilities.
The strengthened bacterial bed which this product allows for goes a long way in keeping aquariums clean and clear.
Of course, this is also a standard water conditioner, in the sense that it instantly neutralizes chlorine, chloramines, and heavy metals that are present in your tap water. All you need to do is add 2 teaspoons for every 10 gallons of aquarium water, and yes, it is completely safe for fish as well.
This particular product comes in at 16.9 oz for under $10, therefore also making it very cost-effective. The bottle should be large enough to last you for several months to come, especially if you don’t have a massive aquarium.
Pros
- Safe for fish
- Allows for bacterial development
- Removes chlorine and chloramine
- Removes heavy metals
- Cost-effective
Cons
- May require slightly more than the bottle indicates
If you’re looking for a good multi-purpose water conditioner, this is one I’d always recommend.
5. Seachem Prime Water Conditioner
- Concentrated conditioner for marine and freshwater aquarium use
- Removes chlorine & chloramine and also detoxifies heavy metals
If you have a really big aquarium or just want to stock up on water conditioner, then this is something I’d recommend, as you get 2 liters, or nearly 67 oz, for under $50. It is therefore one of the most cost effective options on the list today.
What stands out about this product is that it is designed to make ammonia common nitrates, and nitrates completely safe for fish. However, it also makes these substances available for nitrifying bacteria, and even have substances that promote the healthy growth of nitrifying bacteria.
Keep in mind that this is a product that you can use on both freshwater and marine water environments, not to mention that it helps to remove chlorine and chloramine from the water instantly. It also detoxifies any heavy metals present in your tap water.
It’s a great product to use if you need to quickly make your tap water safe for fish. This product also comes complete with essential ions that help you stimulate the natural slime code of your fish, therefore improving their health even more. What you might also appreciate about this product is that it will not cause a change in pH levels.
Pros
- Does not change pH
- Removes a plethora of harmful substances from the water
- For fresh and saltwater tanks
- Good bulk purchase
- Allows for beneficial bacteria development
Cons
- Big upfront cost
If you need a bottle of water conditioner that will last for a few years, or you just have a really big fish tank, then this is the number one product I’d go with.
Water Conditioners for Aquariums Buyers Guide: What To Look Out For
Let’s take a quick look at some of the most important factors you need to pay attention to when choosing water conditioner for your aquarium.
Chlorine Removal
Chlorine is very bad for fish, and tap water usually always contains it. Therefore, you need to make sure that the product in question is able to effectively remove or neutralize chlorine from the water.
Chloramine
Many municipalities and areas around the world also add chloramine into the water, which is like a more aggressive form of chlorine. Chloramine is even harder to remove than regular chlorine, and you should get a water conditioner that is able to do so.
Heavy Metals
Heavy metals are just as bad for your fish as any of the other substances discussed above, and therefore, a water conditioner worth its money should always be able to remove heavy metals from the water.
Ammonia and More
Ammonia, nitrates, and nitrites are also harmful to your fish. Therefore, you should aim to get a water conditioner that is also able to instantly remove or neutralize these substances. However, the best water turns out there will also make these same substances available for nitrifying bacteria, therefore allowing for the development of a large nitrifying bacteria colony.
Usage and Dosage
You should also pay attention to how the product in question needs to be used. Some of these products have to be added into tap water and then left out to sit for a while, whereas others work instantly. There are also some where you may be able to add them right into the aquarium. The bottom line is that you always need to read the directions on the product in question to figure out exactly how it works, especially if you expect it to be 100% safe for your fish.
