Tropical Fish Forum
Tropical Fish Keeping Help and Advice => Fish Health => Topic started by: Biggy1988 on March 25, 2016, 11:30:42 PM
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hi all what tap safe would you recomend as iv been using tetra and im not to sure about it
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I use the love fish brand of tap safe. I did s massive water change last week and there's still plenty left. Why do you say you're not sure of the Tetra brand?
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I've used quite a few different ones, depending on which shop I go to at any given time. I've used the love fish, the API stress coat and the tetra. I'm sure there was another one as well, but can't remember.
None of the tank inhabitants seem to have any particular positive or negative reaction to the brands I've used, even the axolotls, which can be a bit sensitive to some chemicals.
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Hi Biggy,
The Seachem Prime, which I suggested to you in my other thread, is actually this type of product ie it dechlorinates water. It is rare in that it has the added benefit of reducing the toxicity of ammonia, nitrates and nitrites to fish, at least for 24hrs after a water change using it, which is why it is particularly good for fish-in type cycles such as yours ie it maximises the chances for your fish. It may seem expensive but it lasts for absolutely ages as only a tiny amount is used at a time.
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From my experience, dechlorinators broadly fall into two categories, those that treat chlorine alone and those that treat chlorine and chloramine. Leaving a bucket of water to stand overnight will remove the chlorine, chloramine is persistent and needs treatment. Check you local water company's website to see if they use chloramine.
There is a further two categories: those that include additives that promote slime coat and those that don't. I've used API Stress Coat+ and MA's Aquacare. Both have performed equally well, with none of my fish developing any external diseases. Whilst the Aquacare product was cheaper than API, you have to use more to treat the same volume of water.
Some people stay away from slime coat promoters as they can leave an oily residue on the surface of the tank which may inhibit gas exchange. Some also believe they promote algal growth.
In my opinion it's down to personal preference, just make sure you follow the instructions on the bottle!
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Some of the slime coat promoters also coat the gills.
I use API Tap Water Conditioner, which is fine for water that has chlorine, and for a tank that is mature and in no danger of sudden ammonia or nitrite spikes (provided I don't do something silly). It only removes chlorine and metals, nothing to promote slime coat or detoxify ammonia. If tap water has chloramine rather than chlorine, it splits the chloramine into chlorine and ammonia, removes the chlorine but leaves the ammonia in the water.
It is also very concentrated; the dosage rate is 1 drop per US gallon (3.75 litres) which is perfect for me as my bucket holds 7.5 litres (2 drops).
For fish-in cycling, Seachem Prime is good. But not for fishless cycling as it binds both ammonia and nitrite slowing down the cycle.
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Hi Biggy,
The Seachem Prime, which I suggested to you in my other thread, is actually this type of product ie it dechlorinates water. It is rare in that it has the added benefit of reducing the toxicity of ammonia, nitrates and nitrites to fish, at least for 24hrs after a water change using it, which is why it is particularly good for fish-in type cycles such as yours ie it maximises the chances for your fish. It may seem expensive but it lasts for absolutely ages as only a tiny amount is used at a time.
I use the same product but in powdered form.
It's called Seachem Safe and because it's powdered and not prediluted it is extremely cost-effective. Otherwise it has all the same benefits as Seachem Prime.
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For general use, I don't think it matters in the least. I bought all of my tanks second hand and several of them came with part used bottles of water conditioner, four types all together. I used them all and didn't find the least difference. I'd get the most economical one.
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I've used loads of different types and have settled on a fluval water conditioner which gives good value for money.
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the reason i say this about tetra is i look on site and i see all diffrent ones
i ended up ording this one
Interpet Bioactive tap safe
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That should be fine to use. Just don't believe all the blurb about "consuming biological waste". You'll still need to do water changes.
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yea thats understandable i no thats all for selling purpose
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I use Seachem prime but I use a 1ml syringe from work in order to dose it accurately. I've heard that using too much Seachem prime can deplete oxygen levels in the tank. Does anyone know if this is true?
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It applies to a lot of dechlorinators that contain 'something to help with the slime coat'. Some of them coat the gills as well. There are a few chemicals that are in use, some do, some don't.
This is why I don't use one of those 'slime coat' dechlorinators.