lilsoccakid

my 20 gal tank that is cycling fishless came with "stress coat". should i add this while it finishes cycling, or right before i add fish?

Kevin

i would add it right b4 you add the fish...unless you haven't dechlorinated or conditioned your water yet

Butterfly

Stress Coat is basically a dechlorinator with aloe. The aloe supposedly helps fish acclimate to the tank. I never really saw any extra benefit for healthy fish when I used it but it won't hurt your fish either. If you use too much it will also cause foam to form on the top of the water.
but since you got it free use it when you have fish then you can decide if you want to pay the extra money for it. I have a friend that calls it "snot in a bottle" (gross huh )
Carol

Kevin

lol...you sure your friend isnt talking about cycle?

Butterfly

could be but have you actually LOOKED at stress coat?
carol

Kevin

nah...is it that bad

Butterfly

It's thick and clear and...
carol

Kevin

now i'm gonna have to look at some :...and i'm not really looking forward to it :P

lilsoccakid

haha i was one of the idiots that bought cycle. it did absolutly nothing!

COBettaCouple

nah -- cycle is just expensive water, as is any bacteria product other than BioSpira. It just doesn't have that yummy gooeyness of snot.

Stress coat is much more snot-like in texture and flavor.. :P Stress Coat is a good product although we prefer NovAqua+ but you can't beat free and certainly i'd use the stress coat, then decide if you wanted more or wanted NovAqua+. Prime is the best water conditioner overall though.

armadillo

Here's a good review of the major conditionning products.

http://www.thetropicaltank.co.uk/rev-cond.htm


I'd agree with BettaCouple on the Prime recommendation. Actually, he recommended it to me. It gives me the peace of mind to not be completely paranoid about a freak nitrate/nitrite/ammonia peak, killing off 1/2 my tank without warning.

lilsoccakid

that does sound good, and the price isnt bad either! that will be next on my "to buy" list

Kevin

i would reccommend prime to anyone...newbie or expert

COBettaCouple

yea, you need an eye dropper to measure Prime out just about if you're treating small amounts, it's so concentrated. we store water in gallon jugs so we drop 1 drop in each jug.