Prime vs Stress Coat - Your Opinions?

[wesleydnunder]

I've used prime for the last 5 or 6 years with no issues. Lately the water co. was shocking their system and the water smelled like a swimming pool with all the chlorine in it. I double-dosed the prime and backed it up with sodium thiosulfate drops (Zip). I buy both by the gallon from Big Al's. I know a chemist who uses only the Zip drops even though his water contains chloramines. He says his biofilter handles the residual ammonia just fine.

Mark

[PhishPhreek]

Wesley - I have a large container of Sodium Thiosulfate and make my own zip drops to neutralize bleach when I sterilize tanks and equipment or decapsulate brine shrimp eggs. More than I will ever use. I'll be glad to share the next time we meet.For my makeup water I've been using Amquel dry - 1 tablespoon treats 125 gallons

[wesleydnunder]

Thank you, Bob. I'll see you at the next CAK mtg. or one of the auctions.

Mark

[Darbex]

I use Prime but I will have to try Amquel. I have had an issue in that I did a 60% water change on my discus tank and lost over half the population so now I double dose with Prime every water change just havent had to get anymore yet so my next shop I will but I also plan on getting a Carbon filter as well.

[Zulaab]

I use Kordon's Amquel+plus, and have never had a fish dead because of water changes. I like EK swear by this product. I am going to invest soon in a carbon system with assistance from fskfrk, to ensure that all inpurities are removed as best as possible.

[kwc1974]

I use prime despite the effects it has on NO3, unlike some of you my tanks are primaraly for plants and not fish. so this is not much of an issue unless I start esting my water for NO3 as I will get a false reading.

[sacrimontis]

i use anything that says " removes chlorine chloramine and heavy metals"
and i always do a 50-60% waterchange, every single week.
ive never used prime. and i have kept all different types of fish.in all different types of water.

ive never lost a fish due to water changes LMAO.
i also dont pay much attention to the temperature of the water ,as long as its not ice or fire , my fish never seemed to care.

im not bragging, im just stating facts for others to learn from.
either you have an absolute lack of routine, and your shocking the heck out of them with clean water , theres a really big issue with the water, or PRIME IS KILLING ur fish.

that and the fact that fish arent normally subjected to chemicals , maybe the water used and prime had some weird chemical reaction stressing the fish too much.

i use petsmart products walmart product and petco product.
id assume the best stuff in my opinion is the + or the ones with aloe vera.
i currently have the superconcentrate divided into smaller bottles, believe it was the amquel+

[J-WS6]

Amquel+Plus has always worked well for me. Relatively easy to find too.

[imagirlgeek]

Keep in mind that Amquel+ reduces the oxygen in the tank for a few hours after use. It says that on the bottle. The regular Amquel does not, just Amquel+. For those of us with a Wet/Dry running, this is less of an issue, but something for people who don't have a lot of aeration to keep in mind. Just drop a couple air stones in if your fish get gaspy after use.

Personally, I use StressCoat as my primary, and I keep both Amquel+ and Prime in the fridge for emergencies.

[dustin]

Well all I can take from this is that "everything works." LOL I was just unshure if there was a "correct" treatment. I know that discus can be picky and dont want to loose any of my little guys. Seems like I opend an intresting thred. Thank you all.