Tank Buddies??

[jessnherfish]

Has Anyone ever used Jungle Tank Buddies? I bought the Ammonia clear and the Correct Ph ones. I just wanna know if the really work until I can save the money for a master test kit and other supplies?

I have a 10g tank
5 fancy guppies
a bunch of plants

 

[Puffernewbee]

You can get a Master Test kit at Big Als for $16.00.
Big Als Test Kit

 

[jessnherfish]

You can get a Master Test kit at Big Als for $16.00.
Big Als Test Kit

I dont buy things online, no credit cards, so i just have to buy things from stores. that master test kit is 29 bucks in the store so i just wanna know it those wil do for now?

 

[Puffernewbee]

I would question how well they would work.
Ammonia Clear: I supposedly helps clear out ammonia. If you do not have an ammonia problem you are wasting tablets putting them in the water. If yu do have an ammonia problem without a test kit you will not be aware of it until the fish start stressing out or dying. Then, one tablet may not clear the problem. It may take 2 or three and all the time you poor fish suffer. Without a test kit I do not see them being very useful. Also, to cycle the tank you need some ammonia.
Correct pH: Tap water has all kinds of buffers in it and has different pH based on your water source. You would be best to take a water sample to your LFS and have them test it. Unless your pH is over 7.8 I would not worry about it. Also, if the pH was at 8.0 without a test kit you would not know how many tablets it takes to get the pH to 7.0. As I said above, water treatment facilities add buffers to the water and your water may need 2 to more tablets to reduce the pH to an adequate level.

I would save my money if I were you. Many pet stores will do free water test for you. See if there is one near you. Some may only do it once a month but it is better than nothing. If you are cycling your tank with fish at this time I would just do 50% water changes daily and be sure to not overfeed. Afetr about two weeks fall back to about 50% every other day. Afetr about a month you should be cycled and cut back to weekly changes. This is a pretty conservative estimate. Watch you fish carefully though. few ,

 

[jessnherfish]

Thanks, I guess you're right l'll just go get the test kit, in a week or so. Im gonna need it soon any way, because I've inherited a 55g long tank. no way i'm gonna use that tank buddies in that thing!
Thanks again.

 

[Holly9937]

Also, the tank buddies things are expensive. I know they sell those for water dechlorinator too, but you can buy a bottle of prime or amquel and b/c it takes so little to treat so many gallons you get alot more for your money. Changing the ph is almost always unecessary, it usually results in an unstable ph which is alot worse for the fish than keeping it at that so called magic number of 7 which is really not necessary!!

Also, puffer had good advice, just do lots of water changes that can head off the majority of problems with a new tank set up. The master test kit is the best to get, but ammonia, nitrite and nitrate test kits are the really important ones to have

 

[jessnherfish]

Thanks Holly, I just did a 50% water change and added the dechlorinator. My fish seem like they are less jumpy.