Water Conditioners & Plants

[Captain Hook]

I am wondering about water conditioners and their effect on plants. Specifically, I have used Hagen's Aqua-Plus for many years but have never had live plants. Now I plan on setting up a planted tank and am wondering if I can continue to use this product or should I buy something else.

I've heard some of these conditioners lock up the elements in the water and make them useless to plants.

[Timmain42]

AmQuel and AmQuel+ rock. I've been using them on planted tanks for some time now and have had no problems.

Don't know about the Hagen product tho. I personally don't trust them to make a test kit, but that prolly doesn't extend over to the water-conditioning world. :(

And whatEVER you do, DON'T USE AMMOLOCK2. That stuff is not even worth the packaging it comes in.

[Captain Hook]

Thanks for the recommendations Timmain. I had heard good things about Am-Quel and bad things about AmmoLock before as well.

Here's a description of Aqua-Plus taken from big al's website:

Makes tap water safe by eliminating Chlorine and Chloramine, Neutralizes heavy metals *Protects fish by replacing their natural protective mucus coating. Contains a rich supplement of essential oils *Contributes a positive sedating effect against stress related to transportation, handling and introduction

[odessa]

From what I understand water conditioners that are said to remove heavy metals do so by Chelating them wich means they remain available to the plants. This topic is discussed on another board at: http://aquabotanicwetthumb.infopop.cc/6/ubb.x?a=tpc&s=4006090712&f=8796060812&m=1386015503

[MrGoodbytes]

I use AquaPlus in my planted aquarium and have not had any noticeable problems with it before.

I think all water conditioners say pretty much the same thing :p.

Graeme

[Captain Hook]

Graeme good to hear you use AquaPlus as well. I'm glad it should be fine for the plants!