Stress Coat
- Thread starter WaterBaby
- Start date
I've been using aloe water conditioners with years and have had great results. I used Aqua-Plus for a long time but recently bought a large jug of Big Al's Water Conditioner at a great price. I believe it is the same product as Stree Coat marketed under Big Al's name.
I have never had any problems using these products and find they do a good job of keeping water quality high. I haven't lost many fish in the years I've had my tanks.
I have never had any problems using these products and find they do a good job of keeping water quality high. I haven't lost many fish in the years I've had my tanks.
I believe that my fish are fully capable of producing their own slime coat - that is an essential part of their nature. I am unaware of tropical rainforest stream banks being lined with dripping Aloe vera plants or of that being esential for the captive culture of fish, so I don't use it. I did not use it when I was younger, and saw reason to change when it suddenly became a hot item in dechorinators (long before chloramines were in common use) as a branding tool. To me the "need" for Aloe vera or other slime coat "enhancers" is a maketing need, not a fish culture need. Your dime, your choice.
For chlorine-only water, I age it. For chloramine-containing water I use Prime or Amquel.
For chlorine-only water, I age it. For chloramine-containing water I use Prime or Amquel.
I'm no plant expert, but I always thought it was the other way around... plants tend to take up those things from the water and store them.
Jim
There's still alot for me to learn on the subject of plants. It will make some interesting research when I decide to add some real plants to my tank.
On Stress Coat- some of their claims may be either false or misleading. I thought aloe was water soluable, so I don't see how it can replace a slime coat. Perhaps its some other ingredient in the Stress Coat that replaces the slime coat? I can understand how aloe can enhance the growth of the slime coat because of the vitamins and minerals that aloe provides.
On Stress Coat- some of their claims may be either false or misleading. I thought aloe was water soluable, so I don't see how it can replace a slime coat. Perhaps its some other ingredient in the Stress Coat that replaces the slime coat? I can understand how aloe can enhance the growth of the slime coat because of the vitamins and minerals that aloe provides.
Misleading claims from a company selling aquarium products! Imagine that!
Unfortunately, that's more the rule than the exception...
Jim
Don't believe in aloe but I still use Stress Coat as it is the cheapest one I have found so far (until recently). So far, it causes no problems so I'll continue to use it until the current supply runs out. Then I'll probably shop for the cheapest conditioner again, may or may not be stress coat...
