pamelakt

I'm feeling really fed up now. I've been into the garden centres today 2 of them, and both said different things. I came out with totally different products to what I went in for.

All Sera products basically, 3 different ones.

I mean the girl was lovely, said they use it and she ses it at home & wrote it all down for me step by step - but it just wasn't what I thought I wanted. I wanted Tetra SafeStart - but both garden centres advised against it.

I give up

I'm starting to wish I'd not bothered with all this now.

Lucy

Don't give up.
You'll get different advice anywhere you ask.
What works for one, may not work for another.

Keep in mind, the stores are there to sell things. We're not. We only want the best for you and your fish.

Red1313

<hugs>
Why did they say not to use it and what did they give you instead?

pamelakt

They actually said it is one of the worst things to use. Maybe its cos they're English?!

She gave me Sera Nitravec, Biovec and something else - I'm at my mums at the mo and have left them at my flat so can't remember exactly but basically I apparently put the water in, heat etc etc tonight say. Put 1.5 caps of one in, an hour later 1.5 caos of the other and the same an hour later with the third. Then one of them I use for 10 days in the same way. Another I use with every water change. That sort of thing. She said if I start tonight I can put the fish in Sunday afternoon.

Also she was implying I shouldn't put the fighter in first I should put millows or neon tetra's in first to help get the water started as the fighter may be too sensitive. And my mum is telling me I'm stupid having such a big tall tank for one fish. So now I'm like argh!

I just want him to be happy! Not annoyed with little fish... altho they are all with the little fish at the moment...

This sort of stuff it is.... http://www.finking.co.uk/fish/treatm...-treatment.htm

These are the 3 products

http://www.finking.co.uk/fish/treatm...-treatment.htm

Lucy

It sounds like she's recommending cycling with fish in the tank.
That's something we don't recommend here. The levels of ammonia and nitrites that occur during cycling is toxic to fish. They will be suseptable to disease and death.

Bettas aren't very good community fish, I wouldn't put one in with nippy little neons.

I'm sorry, what size tank did you get? I know you've told us.

Red1313

Ok well from the sounds of it the first 2 are simply declorinators. The last one I'm not certian about, it sounds like it might be similar to Nutrafin's Cycle product, if it says that you need to add it after every water change I might be a bit concerned about it.
Tetra Safestart is a use once product. You add all of it to you're tank and the bacteria colonize it instantly. It does nothing else. So maybe they thought you wanted it for a water treatment rather then it's intended purpose.

Also I'm not sure but I think that them suggesting that you start with minnows is more to cycle your aquarium in the first place. Which you wouldn't need to do with tetra safestart.

pamelakt

I told her I had done nothing yet, no water in the tank its sat empty and I'm getting all the bits ready. I had the safestart in my hand in both places and both advised against it. The first said I should just use the prime, then wait a week and add the fish and he will be fine!?

I have a 34litre tank...

pamelakt

Sorry - there is one which is like safestart I believe which you only use once, but is backed up by adding the other 2 products.

Should I just take it all back tomorrow and get a refund? They're so bent on changing your mind its so annoying! They assured me its what they use and they don't recommend anything else... the fish in there seemed quite happy...

Red1313

It's your decision to make. I'd personally go with the safestart, to save you from having to buy the other products for the rest of the tank's life.

Lucy

It's easy to get confused with so many products claiming to help the cycle along.

I'm not familiar with the products you mention but one sounds like a product sold here in the states called Cycle.
You have to add it with every water change because it contains the wrong kind of bacteria and dies off quickly. It never lets your tank cycle properly as it starves the benefical bacteria.
Nice way to get your money with each water change, isn't it?

The bacteria you grow using a source of ammonia (pure ammonia or fish food) is self-sustaining, once it establishes you only need to add a water conditioner with water changes.

pamelakt

What I wanted to buy was Stress Coat, and Safe Start.

If I take these things back tomorrow, that is Saturday. What should I do, I mean I can wait to put the fish in I don't have to do it this weekend - what would you do? Do you put the Stress Coat and SafeStart in at the same time - or one a day before the other - whats the frequency of these?

They sort of acted like these were a really odd combination of things to add together when I had them in my hand.

The first place said I should use Tetra AquaSafe not Prime or StressCoat.

Say I wanted to put the fish in on Sunday, how should I do that? Or should I not do that?

Sorry I bet you're sick of me!

Lucy

Nooooo, ask as many questions as you need to. We're happy to try and help you.

I've used Tetra AquaSafe and had no problems with it.

I don't have personal experience with Tetra SafeStart but other members have had success with it.
I believe you add the fish at the same time as the SafeStart.
Just follow the directions.

Shawnie

im sorry for all your issues ....frustration is normal but when you have so many conflicting stories, that dont help....I would fill the tank with your water and some prime...run it over night, then add the safestart and some sort of ammonia, whether it be your fish, or fish food so the bacteria has something to feed from....safestart is designed to add fish at the same time..then just watch the water parimeters to make sure you have no spikes and the safestart does its job...from my point of view, the safestart and prime is all you need...goodluck!

jdhef

Okay, here's what I think. I would return the previously purchased products and get AquaSafe and Safe Start. While Stress Coat or Prime are probably fine, I believe the instuctions on the SafeStart recommend using Aqua Safe, so better safe than sorry.

If they start telling you that you shouldn't use SafeStart, you should ask why they sell it if it isn't any good.

I cycled a tank with the old version of SafeStart (a product called BioSpira) and it work out great.

pamelakt

Sorry - new to fishy language - a spike??!

I will return them tomorrow, and get the others.

Another thing - I have ordered the API master kit online but it hasn't arrived yet, it should be any day now. SHould I wait for all this until after I get this testing kit - or I think I read somewhere that if I use safestart I shouldn't test the water for a week because it has speed cycled the tank or something?

I just want to do everythign in the right order

Shawnie

I would return everything and get your safestart and prime or aqua safe as JD recommended...either of those will work..then id wait for the test kit, and then fill the tank with your conditioner, and the next day add your safestart and fishies...a spike means a rise in any ammonia or nitrites .....which hopefully wont happen with your safestart but one never knows 100% ....

Lucy

I agree....all good info.

pamelakt

Right! Got it!!!!! Finally!!!

I shall return it all, and buy the Tetra products. Then I will wait a few days until my water kit arrives.

When the kit arrives, I will add the water, heat it up, a day later add the AquaSafe, then a day after that add the AquaStart plus my new fishy friend!

Agreed?