Originally Posted by iloveengl

I posted this in your other thread, but I'm not sure you have it... Ammo-Lock by API does the same thing as Prime.

The two products that loarbell mention are not for cycling your tank and do not neutralize ammonia. AquaSafe is the normal conditioner you know about and the API Stress Coat is supposed to put electrolytes in the water to relieve fish stress, but I'm not certain how effective that is.

The only instant cycle product that I know of is called TetraSafeStart. You add one bottle and the tank is good to go, never have to add it again. Products like "Cycle" that claim to do the same thing as TetraSafeStart are really just a marketing scheme because you have to buy a new bottle every few weeks and your tank never cycles.

Originally Posted by iloveengl

Ooooo I'm so jealous! LoL. But maybe it's a good thing because I would walk to Petsmart (and probably spend money) every day!

We only have one awful local fish store in town - it's so bad I won't go there unless it's an absolute fish emergency. Like you, the next closest is Petsmart and it's almost an hour drive. I try to stock up on supplies when I can.

Originally Posted by iloveengl

Lol. You're not at all an annoyance. Glad you're asking questions! That's how we all learned.

I actually would recommend Tetra SafeStart, but it's pretty much only available online. I found the best deal on eBay when I bought mine. Hmmmm, I can't remember the dosage/gallon, but I can look that up if you want. I used it to cycle all my tanks and it worked perfectly! It's basically a bottle of the healthy bacteria needed to cycle. Instead of 4-6 weeks, you can safely add your fish almost as soon as you dump the bottle in.

You do have to be careful though. A few people on this forum have bought bottles that didn't work (maybe dead bacteria, expired bottles, or the bottles were exposed to too much heat/cold).

Sorry I didn't recommend it initially. It's because it's pretty much only available online, and you have to be a certain age to order online. (Please don't mention your age!!)

If you are interested and capable of purchasing the stuff, let me know and I can get you better info.

Originally Posted by pepetj

Tetra Aqua Safe does manage ammonia and nitrites. They don't market that product as such since they have another product specifically for ammonia.

I remember reading a great review about water conditioner properties, I couldn't find the one I once read but found this one, so please check this review:
http://www.thetropicaltank.co.uk/rev-cond.htm

Pepetj
Santo Domingo

Originally Posted by iloveengl

I have to respectfully disagree with a part of bmxer's advice. Prime does NOT contain good bacteria needed to immediately cycle a tank (that's a whole nother ballpark and usually can only be ordered online. It's called TetraSafeStart).

Prime is important beyond other regular water conditioners because it neutralizes ammonia while still keeping it in the water to feed the bacteria. But Prime is not the only one that does this. There is also Ammolock by API, which also conditions and neutralizes ammonia as well as the Prime. Apparently so does this "Wardley Water Treatment SAfe 2.0" (I just looked it up to double-check), but I've never heard of it before now. Is that the same thing (exactly) on your bottle? If so, then it does go above and beyond normal AquaSafe water conditioner.

However, my major concern is that it says it changes the pH to 7.0. We are very wary in these parts about affecting Ph chemically -- it can make the water wonky and most fish don't need it changed so drastically. They adapt on their own.

Update Yep I would avoid this Wardley stuff because of the Ph thing. Dang! I thought you'd found a perfect substitute. I highly suggest returning it - it's not even safe for your normal water changes later on. Swift Ph changes can easily kill fish.

Did your store have Ammo-Lock? Looks like this: http://aquariumpharm.com/Products/Pr...x?ProductID=45
That's the only other product that is like Prime that I know of (without affecting Ph).

It would be safer to do 50% daily water changes with your regular conditioner rather than use that Wardley stuff. Sorry.

Originally Posted by Shawnie

im sorry for another loss did you do a water change yet today with your prime? we cant tell you who to listen to by any means, but your tank isnt cycled and it needs to be...the LFS are out to make money not save your fish..we make nothing off helping you ..good luck!

Originally Posted by Shawnie

you emptied the entire tank?
why did she have you empty everything and wash it down?