chemicals v water changes?

Id imagine what you are talking about is Tetra Easybalance, or something of eqivelent. I personally wouldnt recommend these products as I dont think that anything can replace water changes - after all when you clean your filter (if you have one, of course) then you would have to use aquarium water, replacing it with new conditioned water, so you need to carry out water changes in that respect any way.

Thom.

I haven't tried those products, for one simple reason--I know that water changes work. I know they replace the minerals lost from the water, I know they remove the nasties that build up. I understand the chemistry behind water changes on a basic level.

I don't understand how the Easy Balance product works, and they don't document or explain it--it's just like magic. If I don't understand why a product works, and the manufacturer isn't willing to explain or document any support for their claims, I'm not comfortable using their product.

I strongly encourage people to understand why the methods they follow work. This includes understanding the products being used.

Very well said OG, and I fully agree.

In agreement with OG and RTR -- unless you can sort out how it does what it claims to, I'd stick with water changes. In fact, I'm sticking with water changes.

Any Tom Waits fans out there may remember the very funny Step Right Up

A sample for the Tom-deprived:

"That's right, it filets, it chops
It dices, slices, never stops
lasts a lifetime, mows your lawn
And it mows your lawn
and it picks up the kids from school
It gets rid of unwanted facial hair
it gets rid of embarrassing age spots
It delivers a pizza
and it lengthens, and it strengthens
And it finds that slipper that's been at large
under the chaise lounge for several weeks
And it plays a mean Rhythm Master
It makes excuses for unwanted lipstick on your collar
And it's only a dollar, step right up
it's only a dollar, step right up…"