Angela_96

I have been buying a chemical for my tanks for a year now and I am wondering if I can get by w/o ever buying this again. The goal is to bypass this aquarium store alltogether and go to petsmart for my supplies and save money.

The local store makes this chemical... its called aqualife complete, from what I read its the same as amaquel complete and the novaquel? so what do you all use for a conditioner? I need something that "boost alkilenity"... all that... I do not like stress zyme/stress coat so I don't want that for my tank.

My only fear is I have used this chemical for so long, and to change it on my fish.

clinton1621

I just use a plain chlorine/chloramine remover, I think its made by Jungle... I dont like the stress coat products because they make the glass get "slime" on it, and quite honestly probably does little for the fish lol. Recently with my planted tank, I have stopped treating altogether though because almost all the water conditioners lock up trace minerals and metals (even fertilizers that you put in!)... now I just use spring water for water changes, along with distilled , but the distilled is solely for pH. I find the water quality to be much better without needing to add 15 different things to make it fish friendly lol =)

Angela_96

I am changing water in my large tanks where using spring water isn't an option
The aqualife complete is made by the store we shop at and are trying not to have to buy from, the bottle has the following listed:
promotes healing, relieves stress, replaces slime coat, removes chlorine, chorimine, ammonia
detoxifies nitrite and heavy metals,
adds essential electrolytes
boosts alkalinity
works instantly


I have to say I have seen great results with this chemical however it is getting to expensive and I know there is another chemical exactly like it...

clinton1621

The alkalinity boost is most likely minimal... you could simply use crushed coral and get a better effect. The main thing with conditioners is removing toxins... all the other stuff they claim it does is simply just to get you to buy that brand. As long as it neutralizes chlorine and chloramine thats really all you need in a healthy tank... ammonia, nitrites and heavy metals really shouldnt be an issue in a fully cycled tank. The slime coat additive doesnt really do anything either, fish naturally produce it... even more so if they are injured or sick, so their claim about healing doesnt make much sense.

Angela_96

Thats exactly what I thought, I am going to swith over to novaqua +, I already have crushed coral and limestone in the tank for the hardness and ph boost in the tank my ph is stable at 8.0 and has been for months on end.

sirdarksol

Novaqua+ is one of three dechlorinators I use (I buy whichever is available at whatever store I go to for my supplies) and I've had no problems with it.