API Fishcare South AfricaShop online
API Tap Water Conditioner

Water Conditioners & pH

API Tap Water Conditioner

Freshwater & marineSuper concentrated

API Tap Water Conditioner is the no-frills dechlorinator, and the most economical one API makes. A single millilitre treats 76 litres of tap water, neutralising chlorine and chloramine and detoxifying heavy metals the moment it mixes in, so fish can go in — or back in after a water change — straight away. There is no aloe and no healing claim; this is the bottle for routine water changes, large tanks, fish rooms and anyone who does the maths on cost per litre. It works in freshwater and saltwater systems and comes in 30 ml, 118 ml, 237 ml and 473 ml bottles.

Size: 30 ml

View at Jungle Aquatics

Live pricing and stock on jungleaquatics.com — purchase through Jungle Aquatics, with delivery across South Africa.

Dosage calculator

Enter your aquarium volume and the calculator works out how much API Tap Water Conditioner to use for each rate on the pack.

Use the water the tank actually holds, less substrate and decor.

  • Standard dose1 ml per 76 litres
    Enter a volumeEvery water change and top-up

Highly concentrated — measure with the dropper cap or a 1 ml syringe rather than pouring.

A guide only — always follow the dosing instructions printed on the pack, and measure with the bottle's cap or a syringe rather than by eye.

Technical details

Product typeConcentrated liquid dechlorinator
Sizes30 ml · 118 ml · 237 ml · 473 ml
Dose1 ml per 76 litres of tap water
Treats30 ml → about 2 270 litres · 473 ml → about 35 800 litres
RemovesChlorine, chloramine, heavy metals
Suitable forFreshwater and saltwater aquariums
How oftenEvery water change and top-up
Wait before adding fishNone
Made byMars Fishcare, USA

Treated-volume figures are calculated from the label dose of 1 ml per 76 litres (1 ml per 20 US gallons).

How much do I dose for a water change?

Dose the new water, not the whole tank: 1 ml for every 76 litres you add. A 40-litre bucket needs about half a millilitre, and a 25% change on a 300-litre tank (75 litres) needs 1 ml. Because the product is so concentrated, slightly over is harmless but wildly over is wasteful, so use the dropper cap or a 1 ml syringe rather than pouring. Add it to the bucket before the water goes in, or dose the tank as you refill with a hose, and the fish can stay where they are. At this rate the 30 ml bottle treats around 2 270 litres — a year of weekly changes on most home tanks.

A millilitre goes a very long way

At 1 ml per 76 litres, the 30 ml bottle treats roughly 2 270 litres of tap water and the 473 ml bottle about 35 800 litres. On a typical 200-litre community tank with a weekly 25% change, the smallest bottle lasts the best part of a year. The concentration is the reason to measure carefully: a syringe or the bottle’s dropper cap is better than a guess.

Chlorine, chloramine and heavy metals, instantly

Chlorine alone can be driven off by standing water overnight; chloramine cannot, and neither can the copper and zinc that pipes and geysers add. Tap Water Conditioner neutralises all of them on contact, which is why fish can be returned to the tank as soon as the new water is dosed and mixed.

Freshwater and marine

Use it to treat the fresh water you mix salt into for a marine tank, and for evaporation top-ups, as readily as for a freshwater water change. It does not affect pH, hardness or salinity, and it needs nothing removed from the filter.

Pick the bottle for your tank, not your shelf

The 30 ml is the right size for most home aquariums because the product is so concentrated. Move up to 118 ml or 237 ml for several tanks or a large display, and to 473 ml for a fish room, a shop or a pond keeper who also runs aquariums.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between Tap Water Conditioner and Stress Coat?

Both neutralise chlorine, chloramine and heavy metals. Tap Water Conditioner is far more concentrated and costs less per litre treated; Stress Coat adds aloe vera to repair the slime coat and help damaged fish heal. Many keepers use Tap Water Conditioner for routine changes and keep Stress Coat for new arrivals and injuries.

Does it work on chloramine?

Yes. It neutralises chloramine as well as free chlorine, and detoxifies the heavy metals in tap water at the same time.

Can I use it in a saltwater aquarium?

Yes. It is labelled for fresh and salt water, and is commonly used to treat the fresh water before salt is mixed in and for evaporation top-ups.

Do I need to wait before putting fish back?

No. The conditioner works instantly, so fish can be added, or returned after a water change, as soon as the dosed water is mixed in.

Is API Tap Water Conditioner available in South Africa?

Yes — all four sizes are available from Jungle Aquatics in Fourways, Johannesburg, with delivery across the country; live pricing and stock are on jungleaquatics.com.

More in Water Conditioners & pH

South African flagAvailable in South Africa

Stocked & supported by Jungle Aquatics

South Africa's leading pet and aquarium store since 2007 — with the API range on the floor in Fourways, advice from people who test water every day, and easy ordering from anywhere in the country.

Visit or contact the storeShop online →