Can I Use Fritz 7 As An Alternative For API Stress Zyme?

[sweeteybabey]

I'm beginning to cycle my new 20G long tank, and I'm so excited! One (funny) mistake I made is buying a huge bottle of Fritz Zyme 7, thinking that it's a substitute for API Stress Zyme. But I've seen that they're intended for entirely different purposes ?

Am I allowed to dose Fritz 7 weekly like with API Stress Zyme, or should I just buy another bottle of stress zyme?

 

[AbbeysDad]

Frankly you don't need or want the API Stress Zyme. A bacteria supplement like the Fritz Zyme 7 can benefit a new startup if you don't have an existing aquarium (although I'd likely recommend Dr. Tim's first), but chemical aquarium 'cleamers' like the API product can be very hard on fish gills. They tend to bind smaller particles making it easier for the filter to trap them. I just don't like them and have never seen the need. Remember that anything you put in the water gets into your fish through osmosis so in the case of tank 'cleaners' it's a double negative.

 

[sweeteybabey]

Frankly you don't need or want the API Stress Zyme. A bacteria supplement like the Fritz Zyme 7 can benefit a new startup if you don't have an existing aquarium (although I'd likely recommend Dr. Tim's first), but chemical aquarium 'cleamers' like the API product can be very hard on fish gills. They tend to bind smaller particles making it easier for the filter to trap them. I just don't like them and have never seen the need. Remember that anything you put in the water gets into your fish through osmosis so in the case of tank 'cleaners' it's a double negative.

Ohh thank you! So is it okay if I stick to using my water conditioner and plant fertiliser when the tank is all set up, instead of buying anything extra?

 

[AbbeysDad]

Ohh thank you! So is it okay if I stick to using my water conditioner and plant fertiliser when the tank is all set up, instead of buying anything extra?

Yes. I don't use a conditioner because I have untreated well water (although I keep Seachem Safe on hand in the event of an ammonia spike) however I almost always add a modest amount of plant ferts after each water change.
So aside from conditioner to neutralize chlorine/chloramine, modest ferts for plants, and modest high quality fish food, you don't need anything in the water.