Reddit reviews API TAP WATER CONDITIONER Aquarium Water Conditioner 16-Ounce Bottle, White (52C)

First, welcome, I hope you enjoy this subreddit we have. The first thing to know is the nitrogen cycle. You MUST understand this like the back of your hand before getting a fish, otherwise the fish wont be happy, or it might die. Figure out what your tap water is, in terms of pH, and other things in the water. To test this water you will need a test kit. A really high quality and highly recommended one is this. You can also use test strips but I dont know any good ones. Secondly, the smaller aquarium you have, the harder it is to maintain stable parameters. Stable parameters means happy fish. A good small starter aquarium is a 10 gallon for $10 at petco. With a filter, light, HEATER <---(All of these are needed), it should be around $30-$40. Remember, this is a pet, take care of it. Yes, you can buy fish online, I would do some research and see if there are of good quality. Another thing to be aware of is maintenance. Maintenance includes water changes and overall health of the aquarium. Do some research to make sure you have a cycled aquarium (cycling refers to the nitrogen cycle, that needs to be monitored). Aquarium fish cannot live from just straight tap water, which means you need a water dechlorinator such as this. In summary, to keep a fish alive and healthy/happy you need: heater, proper size aquarium, filter, light,water dechlorinator, and basic knowledge of the nitrogen cycle.

First-timer in over his head here. Could use an assist with setup. The ultimate goal is setting up something my (soon-to-be) 2 year old daughter will enjoy watching.

Planning on purchasing:

Tank & Stand: Aqueon 45G tank ensemble - $250

Light: LED - Included with tank

Filter: MarineLand Penguin 200 Power Wheel - $21

Heater: Orlushy Submersible Aquarium Heater 150W - $18

Python: Python No Spill Clean and Fill Aquarium Maintenance System - $40, 24 inch adapter - $10, [hook] (https://smile.amazon.com/Python-Spill-Aquarium-Gravel-24-Inch/dp/B004PBHX4G/ref=pd_bxgy_199_img_2/146-3053739-1242457?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B004PBHX4G&pd_rd_r=42a7c2bc-877d-414d-b0c9-2960fa629e40&pd_rd_w=q7tkK&pd_rd_wg=fjx36&pf_rd_p=a2006322-0bc0-4db9-a08e-d168c18ce6f0&pf_rd_r=ZE4SB0SAMR7BKXT7Z4QW&psc=1&refRID=ZE4SB0SAMR7BKXT7Z4QW) - $20, and this adapter for my non-threaded faucet - $12

Conditioner: [API Water Conditioner] (https://smile.amazon.com/API-CONDITIONER-Aquarium-Conditioner-16-Ounce/dp/B004LO9KSY/ref=sr_1_3?crid=2SD31AR7OVW3V&keywords=water+conditioner+aquarium&qid=1567987105&s=gateway&sprefix=water+condition%2Caps%2C159&sr=8-3) - $7

Bacteria: [API Quick Start] (https://smile.amazon.com/API-CONDITIONER-Aquarium-Conditioner-16-Ounce/dp/B004LO9KSY/ref=sr_1_3?crid=2SD31AR7OVW3V&keywords=water+conditioner+aquarium&qid=1567987105&s=gateway&sprefix=water+condition%2Caps%2C159&sr=8-3) - $4

Test Kits: [API 5-in-1 Test Strips] (https://smile.amazon.com/5-IN-1-AQ-Test-Strips-100CT/dp/B077YS7Y4Y/ref=sr_1_3?crid=VPPBFJ1NJSMG&keywords=api%2Btest%2Bkit&qid=1567987538&s=gateway&sprefix=api%2Btest%2Caps%2C210&sr=8-3&th=1) - $26

That takes me up to $408. That leaves me about $100-150 in the budget my wife gave me to get decorations and the fish themselves. (It was supposed to be $500, but we always go slightly over budget)

Any recommendations on large and colorful fish that could attract and keep a toddler's attention? Preferably peaceful.

Any other recommended tweaks to the build? I haven't purchased anything yet, so I'm willing to completely scrap this and start over if somebody has a better idea of how to use the money.

Craigslist probably has a good amount of tank options especially in the bay area. San Francisco water should be fairly clean, test it to find out what it is out of tap most people will just use a de-chlorinator water conditioner
or you can get a reverse osmosis machine (RO/DO)

I have found that petco and petsmart actually have decent tank stands and some tanks but just google search aquarium stores in your area here is one but its concord I do not know where in the bay area you are so that may be a long drive.

You may find bowfronts are what you would like if you want depth, otherwise I would just call up places in the area for square acrylic tanks.

You might want to look into buying less dilute conditioner – Aquasafe uses 50ml to treat 100l, API uses 5ml to treat 114l.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/API-Tap-Water-Conditioner-473ml/dp/B004LO9KSY/ref=sr_1_1?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1463399045&sr=1-1&keywords=api+tap+water+conditioner

Thank you all so much for your patience! thoothsk is right, i should have given more information. I hate when people call me for tech support and say "my computer isnt working, can you come fix it" when they just need to load paper into their printer or some other equally as frustrating lack of detail. So here goes:

Pic Of Tank

1. 5 Gallon
   
2. It has a regular shop light style fixture that has 2 48" plant bulbs in it. something akin to these
   
3. Aqueon Filter 57 GPH
   
4. Eco Complete Substrate I think i am going to switch substrate. I do not like the eco complete. I rinsed it and rinsed it, but it still gives off dust particles. BUT the substrate shouldn't really matter, since the java fern are not planted in the substrate, right?
   
5. Liquid CO2 -yes, i know this isnt ideal, but i plan on taking this tank to work eventually, and a big rig of co2 stuff isnt going to work
   
6. Flourish and Leaf Zone doses weekly based on the guidelines on the bottle for a 5 gallon tank. I alternate days so i am not doing both of these on the same day.
   1.10G Heater so the temp is about 78
   
   So, i think that is all the answers, and again. Thank you for your patience. I should have given more details.
   
   My main question is should i throw these 6 java fern plants out, or are they salvageable in the condition they are in, if i give them time? I believe i will not order from this vendor again.
   
   
   EDIT: i have no fish in the tank. :) I have a 55G tank that i used to put lots of fake plants in because i love the look of plants, so this 5 gallon is my attempt at starting plants first. Fish when allll is well.
   
   EDIT 2:
   

• pH Level – NORMAL RANGE: but usually a bit on the higher end of normal. IL had hard water
  
• Chlorine – NORMAL RESULTS: 0.0 mg/L When i do water changes, i put in Tap Water Conditioner
  
• Ammonia – NORMAL RESULTS: 0 mg/L
  
• Nitrite – NORMAL RESULTS: about .3 mg/L
  
• Nitrate – NORMAL RANGE: about 20 mg/L
  
• Hardness – NORMAL RANGE: a little on the high side because IL has hard water.

heater

Light

Test kit Don't get strips, they're inaccurate.


Dechlorinator seems they have the wrong title up but that's what you want. There are other brands as well.

Gravel vac


For substrate, you can just get some play sand since it's really cheap, just have to rinse a few times until the water runs clear.


For plants, aquabid.com has cheap packages and you can check out r/aquaswap.


Read this to learn how to cycle.

Here is the easiest way to cycle.

this just to make sure nothing is there that shouldn’t be.

I use this stuff. Super cheap and causes no ill effects on my plants. I just follow dosing on bottle.


API Tap Water Conditioner Aquarium Water Conditioner 16 oz Bottle https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004LO9KSY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_W2c2DbDBP306P

Test Kit That's the API one, I have yet to see a petstore that doesn't sell that one. Get a liquid kit that tests for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate. Don't get the strips, they aren't accurate and tend to go bad.

Water Conditioner they may not have that exact one, just look for a product that says "Removes chlorine, chloramine and heavy metals" I think someone else listed a few.

Yes the filter bag, if you can only run it a week can you cut down part of the one from your 10 gallon and put it in the 3 gallon? The filter bag is where most of the good bacteria live that eat the ammonia and nitrite. A week is really kind of pushing it as you would only get enough bacteria to jumpstart a fish in cycle which isn't good for the fish. You can also help this process but keeping the gravel from the old tank wet for the trip as the bacteria live there too.

Unless your room is kept at 80 degrees it's going to be too cold. He's already going to be stressed from the travels and heat will help. It's like $10 and you will have a much happier fish.

Like a grocery bag, just something to block the light. Just stick the zip lock inside that.

Much as he will eat in 3 minutes once a day. Honestly it's probably more likely a water quality issue then anything else. The rules of trouble shooting anything wrong are usually water quality first.

Additives need to go in BEFORE. If you read about cycling you know these beneficial bacteria everywhere in the gravel. The chlorine in tap will kill the bacteria and you will have to restart the cycle. I usually test water before I would do a water change to make sure it's needed and im on track.

You need to replace the water because if you cycled correctly there will be nitrate in the water. Nitrate although less harmful than ammonia and nitrite is still bad for your fish. Nitrate is the final step and need to be taken out. That way when you take 25% of the water out, you take 25% of the toxins out. It is absolutely necessary to dechlorinate and do water changes. Heres one of the best dechlorinator on the market http://www.amazon.com/API-Tap-Water-Conditioner-16-Ounce/dp/B004LO9KSY/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1458091429&sr=8-2-fkmr0&keywords=aqueon+dechlorinator

ONCE AGAIN Dechlorinator and water changes every weeks are absolutely necessary...

120 gh = 7° gh which is perfect. That tetra aquasafe is water conditioner and you're better off buying this or prime. Prime is better, but api works well. The difference between the 2 i recommend and the one you have is that tetra aquasafe is marketed towards bettas specifically and i assume you pay more for a smaller bottle.

They will need a 60-75 gallon tank asap i will include a link below on how to cycle a aquarium. All water for fish must be treated to remove chlorine you can get a bottle of liquid to do this online or at a local pet store.



https://www.amazon.com/API-CONDITIONER-Aquarium-Conditioner-16-Ounce/dp/B004LO9KSY web link for stuff to remove chlorine

https://fishlab.com/how-to-cycle-aquarium/ how to cycle a aquarium

Yes your LFS will test the water for you. You might want to take some tap water to get tested as well. That way you know what you are working with. In most cases just some dechlorinator is sufficient. I use this: api tap water conditioner. 1ml per 20 gallons. So you'll only need a couple of drops with every water change.

Also keep in mind that test strips are not very accurate so you can use them to make sure your water params are stable but not as a way to know the exact values.

Hi /u/smishgibson,

Leo's already regrowing! I shit you not, the ashy grey scurf has gone and something transparent (which I believe is a regrowing fin) has appeared, look!

1

2

3

And that's just after the first 3/4 water change!

Maybe I'm way too optimistic, but his today mood definitely lifted me up. I disabled a pump as usual when I feed him and he rapidly swam to the feeding hole. He didn't even refuse a single pellete! Also, I bought him the Cocos Cava. Thought about it like an anti-stress, and I bet he fell in love with it!

Back yesterday I also got the tests, a conditioner, a thermometer and a siphon. For a conditioner, I settled on the API Tap Water Conditioner, very similar to the products that we discussed, many say it does its job well. A freshly set thermometer shows 27 °C (80 °F) (it's been 30 °C (86 °F) outside in the afternoon).

First thing I did yesterday is a test of water in the tank. Needless to say, it smelt like a swamp. And these tests more or less have proven that something wasn't right (though I'm not sure their precision could be anywhere close to Swiss watch level, but AFAIK it doesn't matter since my target is the lowest nitrate/nitrite/ammonia values possible), pictured the results:

Nitrates

Nitrites

Ammonia

Instructions are very unclear and they didn't provide units, so I guessed these values stand for ppm.

Having the unsatisfactory test results, today morning I siphoned 75% of the water and some gravel (partly, to prevent bacteria genocide), then refilled the tank with conditioned water. Now I plan to test current water state and determine if the 2nd 75% change is a must.

What do you think?

Set up for TWO Axolotls

Realistic initial set up cost $145
(Not including cost of axolotls)

$5-$150 30g tank MINIMUM preferably 40+ (OfferUp Facebook groups Craigslist pet stores)

$1-$130Hides - decor or caves or even home made must be water safe even pvc piping works minimum of 2 for each (decor can become expensive fast if you want to make your tank look very “pretty”)

$20-$75 Filter - something with low current flow sponge filter or a canister filter with something to break up a strong flow if you have a sponge filter you need air line tubing and a air pump (link of canister filter is what I use in my 55g tank )

Bacto-Surge High Density Foam Filter https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GOFPX9I/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_oov7AbY5ESARC

Penn Plax Airline Tubing for Aquariums –Clear and Flexible Resists Kinking, 25 Feet Standard https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002563MW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_kpv7AbQ20H9V7

Tetra Whisper Easy to Use Air Pump for Aquariums (Non-UL) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0009YF4FI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_Hpv7AbC3Y8R2Z

SUN 4-Stage Aquarium External Canister Filter with 9 Watt UV Sterilizer 264GPH (HW402B with Pro Filter Kits) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MFCS6W7/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_CVv7AbX67HQED

$10-$15 Water additives
Water dechlorinator follow instructions on bottle if the tank isn’t fully cycled use prime plus follow instructions on bottle it helps keeps the water healthy for the axolotls too

API TAP WATER CONDITIONER Aquarium Water Conditioner 16-Ounce Bottle https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004LO9KSY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_1qv7AbHFPEHT5

Tetra 77960 SafeStart, 100 Gallon, 250-ml, 1.69-Ounce https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003E2RI74/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_1tv7AbDHHEMEY

$20-$35 API water test kit to make sure the water is in good parameters
http://www.axolotl.org/requirements.htm

API FRESHWATER MASTER TEST KIT 800-Test Freshwater Aquarium Water Master Test Kit https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000255NCI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_zvv7AbK35G0WW

$2-$10 Aquarium thermometer that reads down to 60 degrees F

CNZ Digital LCD Thermometer for Aquarium Fish Tank Vivarium Reptile Terrarium https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KPXVI94/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_yxv7Ab1NSQ5H6

$5-$20 Aquarium syphon

Aqueon Medium Siphon Vacuum Aquarium Gravel Cleaner, 9-Inch https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004RK1WBK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_2aw7Ab3Z5KS9B

Feeding

$2.50-$3 Fishing earth worms (Walmart sporting goods section)
$10-$15 blister pack of 30 blood worm cubes (I can sell them to you while supplies last for $15 or you can buy them at any pet shop that sells fish)

Earth worms when they get bigger try to feed them nibbles of a worm like the size of their head and move up as they get bigger and frozen blood worms for first month to month and a half try to feed the earth worms to the axolotls ever couple days by hand until they start accepting them they might start accepting earth worms as soon as a week after receiving them from me (feed frozen blood worms every other day until they are regularly eating pieces of worm )

Maintenance

You can use a turkey baster and clean up their poops as you see them you’ll still have to do water changes but much less water 25%-35% or use a syphon once a week and do a 30%-50% water change along with the water dechlorinator and some of the safe start plus make sure to test the water regular with the api test kit

Keeping the water to the correct temperature

60-64F is the perfect water temp for them but it can be hard to achieve during summer but doing more regular water changes can help with that and putting a fan over the aquarium blowing on it will help by up to 4-5 degrees

NO SAND OR GRAVEL ESPECIALLY NO GRAVEL EVER sand maybe fine once they are 6-7inches but they will swallow it and they can become impacted and possibly lead to death

Tbh when my plants go transparent like that they are usually dead, but I’m not familiar with that species so idk for sure! If your water is hard as you say- have you thought about using some fertilizer and especially water conditioner water conditioner? Can go a long way in keeping plants happy. Good luck!

On my ten gallon I have a HOB Aqueon, and it has the built in bio media piece. I thought a canister filter would be overkill for a 10 gallon.

I do use a water conditioner.

I'll definitely consider rinsing it this time, and I've already planned to not add livestock until I read near zeros on everything except nitrates.

Unfortunately I don't have media from a cycled tank, I moved from LA to where I am currently, so all my media is gone :/