API Tap Water Conditioner (16 oz)
The cheapest effective dechlorinator: 1 mL treats 20 gallons. It removes chlorine, neutralises chloramine and binds heavy metals — but it does not detoxify ammonia, so keep a test kit handy while cycling.
- +Removes chlorine and neutralises chloramine, works instantly, and binds heavy metals
- +Highly concentrated — 1 mL treats 20 gallons, the lowest cost per gallon of any liquid here
- +A 16 oz bottle lasts months of weekly water changes
- +Does not affect pH and is gentle on biofilter
- −No ammonia binding — chlorine, chloramine and metals only, so it will not detox an ammonia spike
- −Thin, watery formula is easy to over-pour from the large bottle
This is API Tap Water Conditioner, a highly concentrated dechlorinator where 1 mL treats 20 gallons. It removes chlorine, neutralises chloramine and binds heavy metals instantly, at the lowest cost per gallon of any liquid here. It does not detoxify ammonia, so keep a test kit handy while cycling.
- Routine water changes on chlorinated or chloramine tap water
- Keepers who want the lowest cost per gallon
- Anyone who does not need ammonia detox in their conditioner
- Ammonia emergencies, since it does not bind ammonia
- New-tank cycling where an ammonia-detox conditioner helps
- Anyone prone to over-pouring, given the thin formula and big bottle
We separate what the maker claims from what independent sources confirm, what owners report, and where we are drawing an inference. We do not bench-test products.
- Removes chlorine and chloramine, binds heavy metals, works instantly
- 1 mL per 20 gallons; a 16 oz bottle treats about 9,400 gallons
- No pH impact; freshwater and saltwater safe
- It does not detoxify ammonia, only chlorine, chloramine and metals
- Very concentrated, so easy to over-pour
- One of the most-reviewed conditioners; owners note the thin formula over-pours easily
- The cost-per-gallon winner for plain dechlorination; just know it does not touch ammonia, so keep a detoxifier or test kit for cycling
The lowest cost per gallon of the liquids here, and a 16 oz bottle lasts months of weekly changes. Measure carefully, since the thin formula over-pours from the large bottle.
- Assuming it detoxifies ammonia, which it does not
- Over-pouring the thin formula
- Under-dosing a large change and leaving chloramine
We do not lab-test the chemistry; we relay the manufacturer's stated figures. We give gear and method guidance only, not livestock or disease advice; route fish-health questions to a veterinarian or an established authority. For a serious ammonia emergency or a sick tank, consult a veterinarian or an established authority alongside conditioning the water.
No. It handles chlorine, chloramine and heavy metals only. For ammonia detox during cycling or an emergency, use Prime, Safe or Fritz Complete.
1 mL treats 20 gallons, so a little goes a long way. Dose to the volume of new water on a change.
Yes, it is rated for both freshwater and saltwater.