What Chemicals Should New Aquarium Hobbyists Purchase?

[LineDropper]

Per advice receieved from "Aphotic Phoenix", I purchased API's Freshwater Master Test Kit.

I have 3 new tanks going through the cychling process (30, 10, 10).

What chemicals will I need to keep my tanks in optimal condition. Also, I am reading conflicting advice on how ofter to chance the water. I'm reading anything from 10% every other day to 10-20% per week. Any thoughts on this process?

Unfortunately, I already added fish to 2 of the tanks (one has zebra danios, the other will only have Tiger Barbs). I'm going to do the fishless cychling for the 3rd.

Finally, I did add the starter liquid stuff to all 3 tanks.

 

[Matty P]

You will need water de-chlorinator and an ammonia source ("the starter liquid stuff"). If you are going to have live plants you will need plant food/fertilizer.

 

[xxBarneyxx]

If you have a master test kit in general all you need is a good dechlorinator. Something like Stress zyme that also helps rebuild the slime coat on fish can be useful to (I give an extra does of this when I add new fish).

Water Changes - Depends on tank size, fish, filtration and stocking levels. For larger tanks that are not overstocked and dont have messy fish a 10-20% water change once a week is fine, some prefer a 20%ish change every two weeks which works too.

For over stocked tanks, very small tanks and tanks with very messy fish then more frequent water changes are needed.

 

[bugsy66]

What chemicals will I need to keep my tanks in optimal condition.

** None in my opinion. I do not use chemicals unless I have an ick out break or something like that. Then if I do have an ick out break that tells me that my water quality is not up to par and I need to do something about that. You should not need chemicals if you are keeping up on your water changes...


Also, I am reading conflicting advice on how ofter to chance the water. I'm reading anything from 10% every other day to 10-20% per week. Any thoughts on this process?

** Again that depends on how stocked your tanks are and what kind(s) of fish you are keeping. I do a 30% water change faithfully each week on my tank. I have two filters running on my tank as I have a very large Discus and an Angelfish. But a 10% weekly for smaller fish should be just perfect if you don't over feed.


Finally, I did add the starter liquid stuff to all 3 tanks.

** I used this stuff once, never again. Just watch your water quality and do the changes weekly and you should be fine. I also never add things to my water to lowe ph or anything like that. I did that when I was breeding Angelfish and killed to many of them doing this. They will adapt to higher ph with no problems and after that learning lesson I had more Angelfish than I knew what to do with. The exception would have to be Discus, I believe for them to breed and raise successfully they would need some lowering here, but again I have to question that too. So as long as your fish are fine with your water leave it alone and they will be much happier.

bugsy

 

[backtotropical]

Dechlorinator is the only chemical i use. If it's not broken, don't fix it, so to speak.

 

[rdd1952]

If you have a master test kit in general all you need is a good dechlorinator. Something like Stress zyme that also helps rebuild the slime coat on fish can be useful to (I give an extra does of this when I add new fish).

Actually, Stress Zyme is the bacteria in a bottle product from API. You are thinking about Stress Coat which is a dechlorinator with alow to help repair the slime coat.

And as to the original post, as stated, the only chemical you need is a dechlorinator unless you have live plants and need fertilizers.

 

[LineDropper]

Thanks for all of the feedback. I have dechlorinator so it looks like I am all setup. Time to just let my filters cycle...

 

[Matty P]

Have fun but be patient!

 

[xxBarneyxx]

If you have a master test kit in general all you need is a good dechlorinator. Something like Stress zyme that also helps rebuild the slime coat on fish can be useful to (I give an extra does of this when I add new fish).

Actually, Stress Zyme is the bacteria in a bottle product from API. You are thinking about Stress Coat which is a dechlorinator with alow to help repair the slime coat.

And as to the original post, as stated, the only chemical you need is a dechlorinator unless you have live plants and need fertilizers.

Sorry you are right, it was stress coat I was thinking off (teach me for posting from work when I cant look at the bottle ).

 

[vinylman]

The 'liquid starter' does next to nothing, unfortunately. All you will need is a liquid testing kit, dechlorinator (make sure it can deal with chloramines, too) and the ammonia for fishless cycling. You'll need plenty of patience, too, but you can't buy that.

 

[Behold]

Is stress coat worth the bother? i have APi Tap Water Conditioner and when it runs out i was wondering whether to move to stress coat.

 

[afishdude]

IMO no its not. i use Prime for water changes chepest and best stuff you can buy.

 

[rdd1952]

As long as it removes chlorine and neutralizes chloramine, it will work, regardless of the brand name. Some like Prime also neutralize ammonia which shouldn't be in the tank any way except if you're cycling with fish.

 

[Behold]

As long as it removes chlorine and neutralizes chloramine, it will work, regardless of the brand name. Some like Prime also neutralize ammonia which shouldn't be in the tank any way except if you're cycling with fish.

Fair enough reason i got the API is looking at how much it treats to others its well priced and it was on offer. would be even better if i can find out if i have no chloramine in my tank as i need less to treat it.