Let's talk chemicals . . .

[drradcliffe]

I am interested in learning what kind of chemicals and other products I need to have on hand for a new tank. Starting from scratch, what would be the minimum to have on hand? The nice to haves? If you have brand preferences, I'd like to know your opinions. Its like going to the pharmacy at CVS in the fish store! Rows and rows of stuff. Do I really need all that?? Currently I have a pH testing kit and a dechlorinator. Do I need a master test kit? What is your brand preference? The new tank will be 75 gallon. Thanks for your help! Dawn

[Mzungu]

I use Prime. That's it!

As for test kits - it would be good to have one that tests for nitites, nitrates, and ammonia. Those are the most important, IMO.

If you want to be really accurate, get the kit with test tubes and drops for testing. If you want a roundabout idea of the parameters of your tank, the test strips will serve you well.

There aren't too many brands out there that sell test kits available to us common hobbyists, but I've never really heard of a "bad" brand...just be sure to check the expiration date on the kit before you buy. :)

[mark razmandi]

MUST HAVES:

Master test kit (tubes, not strips)
A de chlorinator product, (i use stress coat)

Nice to haves:

amquell +

and tetra safe start if you dont want to wait for your tank to cycle. if you want to do a fishless cycle you will need pure ammonia with NO ADDED SOAP, PERFUMES, OR DETERGENTS.

[Gapzero]

I use the tetra dechlorinator and it works great. I use only hikari foods , frozen and freeze dried. I use aqueon test kits and heaters.

[danielp]

I use Prime. That's it!

As for test kits - it would be good to have one that tests for nitites, nitrates, and ammonia. Those are the most important, IMO.

If you want to be really accurate, get the kit with test tubes and drops for testing. If you want a roundabout idea of the parameters of your tank, the test strips will serve you well.

There aren't too many brands out there that sell test kits available to us common hobbyists, but I've never really heard of a "bad" brand...just be sure to check the expiration date on the kit before you buy.

+1 on Mzungu's post

[Complexity]

+2 on Mzungu's post.

Prime for the chorine and chloramine in the water.

API Master Test kit for pH, ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates.

Skip all the rest. Most of it will either do nothing (but take your money) or cause more problems than they claim to help. It is not needed nor recommended, and is highly discouraged.

[wesleydnunder]

+2 on Mzungu's post.

Prime for the chorine and chloramine in the water.

API Master Test kit for pH, ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates.

Skip all the rest. Most of it will either do nothing (but take your money) or cause more problems than they claim to help. It is not needed nor recommended, and is highly discouraged.

Agreed. Like she said, after Prime and a good test kit, the rest is mostly snake oil.

Mark

[Gapzero]

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

go to this link and read. It will show you what each water conditioner has in it. Also what it does and does not do.