heather84

Can someone explain to me what exactly Start Right is? I have a basic idea but would like more info.

The bottle says to add when doing water changes, fish are injured or when adding new fish.

Is it really necessary to add everytime you get a new fish?

Also the bottle is specific for how much to add for NEW tanks, but doesnt really give you a dosage amount to add when doing changes, or adding fish....how much do u guys put in?

We use stress zyme and start right (supposed to be like stress coat?) do we need to use them both? people on the other forum say i dont need either

matt6765

I would not use either because they use bacteria that can not live very long in water.....IMO for new tanks use TTS or Tetra safe start

Lucy

They're not the same thing.

Does Jungle make Start Right? It's a water conditioner.
Removes chlorine, chloramines, neutralizes heavy metals and healths with their slime coat (which is why they say add it when you add new fish).
Also, it's supposed to help promote healing like Stress Coat.
It does not claim to contain bacteria.

I wouldn't bother with the stress zyme, it's one of those bacterial additives that you'd have to keep adding. Just cycle the tank with out it.

heather84

my tank is well cycled its been set up for months.......

But the LFS told us we need stress zyme and start right. Stress zyme we add weekly
So stress zyme isnt needed once the tank is cycled?

Im sooooooo confused, gotta love the pet stores that talk u into buying stuff you dont need.

What is the supposed purpose of stress zyme?

What chemicals do u guys use? If i dont need something i want to eliminate it i dont like putting all this into the tank

Lucy

You'll need to use Right Start with every water change to make the tap water safe by removing the chlorine, chloramines and detox heavy metals.

Stress Zyme is said to contain bacteria. However, it's the wrong kind of bacteria, that's why you have to keep adding it. It dies quickly.
It can prolong the cycle by using the ammonia the beneficial bacteria needs to develop.
I'd suggest you stop using it and save yourself some money.
Keep a close eye on your water parameters, it might send you into a mini cycle until the natural bacteria catches up.
Do water changes if you get any ammonia readings.

Don't feel bad, it's very confusing. When I started I got sold Stress Zyme too....a lot of us did. I still have it lying around here somewhere. lol

If you cycle your tank without it, the only thing you'll need to add is a good conditioner such as Right Start, Prime or Stress Coat.

heather84

ugh......i have cardinals so now im worried about if i stop using it it will create a mini cycle. And it already took me a few tries to get cardinals/neons that lived lol

On another board they told me to stop using start right and keep using stress zyme.....EEK

Lucy

Oh dear, I wonder if they confused Stress Zyme with Stress Coat (which is a water conditioner)

Here are links to the 2 products we're been talking about:
Stress Zyme
Start Right

I have cardinals too, they're so pretty.

heather84

Im not sure thats why i try to ask in multiple places
Those links you posted are the exact things im talking about (brand name and all) those are what we use.

On the back of the start right it says add 1 tsp per 10 gallon of water in NEW tanks. i think u did it like weekly until the tank was cycled or something

then it says also add when fish are injured, at water changes and when adding new fish but it doesnt say how much. So do i add the same 1 tsp/10 gal like its a new tank? or are a few drops ok?

We first got neons but they started to die, 1 was injured but when they passed i returned them for other neons and they didnt last either. So i finally gave up and bought cardinals. We had 3 (we have other tetras to) but one got injured by our danios and died. but the other 2 have been doing great thank goodness i was about ready to give up on neons/cardinals but i really love the look of them

Lucy

I have better luck with my cardinals than I did neons.

You'll want to treat any new water you add to the tank according to the directions with a water conditioner. In your case you're using Right Start.
It removes the chemicals the can kill your fish.

I just threw out an empty bottle of Safe start, otherwise, I'd look at the directions for you.

If you take out 5 gallons of the water during a water change, you would add 1/2 teaspoon to the 5 gallons you'll be adding back to the tank.
My math stinks but if you remove 2 1/2 gallons during a water change you would add 1/4 teaspoon to the new water.
I think some members treat for the whole tank..in other words, they go ahead and add the full teaspoon per 10g.
If you're treating an injured fish or adding new fish it would be safe to add enough to treat the tank.
I think I just confused myself. lol
Sorry, did I miss what size tank you have?

heather84

lol its confusing stuff

from what i understood the 1 tsp/ 10 gallons was only with a new tank, so i wasnt sure

Our tank is 30 gallons...

If its to condition the water why do i add it when i add new fish? (it also does the slime coat?)

Lucy

It's very confusing!

When fish are stressed with moving to a new tank or netted, it can effect their slime coat, so it's a safe guard.

heather84

ok i guess i will jsut continue doing and using what im using.......it appears to be working lol

I would think that the fish would automatically be able to do its own slime coat, but who knows lol

but for the start right i should use the 1tsp/10 gallon when i add fish and change water. even tho it only says that amount under "for all new tanks"

I would write exactly how it says on the bottle but im all out
im trying to find the directions online but no such luck

lew2000

heather84 try this link for Start Right instructions:

http://badmanstropicalfish.com/meds/medication20a1.html

Like Lucy said previuosly, SR is a water conditioner to remove chlorine from your tap water. Fish loose their slime coat during stress. Alot of people on this site use Prime or Amquel+ which does the same thing - so you need to add a water conditioner to the water you are using when you change water.

Regal

Sounds like Lucy has you covered!

Just a suggestion but if you can find a 16 once bottle of stress coat it has a pump on it and makes measuring way easier. With the pump bottle its 1 pump for every 2 gallons to remove chlorine when you do water changes and 1 pump per 1 gallon for... I can't remember lol. The pump is so much easier than measuring though. I refill the one I have if I can't find the pump bottle at the store.

A de-chlorinater is all you need to add. Stress coat is the only thing I add to my tanks. (except liquid fertilizer for the plants)

Fish store employees are notorious for weird advice and fishlore is THE place to be for basic advice.