StressCoat

[Bloopie]

I've set-up my tank about 36 hours ago (no fish) so the chlorine in the water should have dissipated by now.
Now I was told that I need something to rid the tank of chloramine, so I took the LFS's advice and got StressCoat for this... it says on the cover "To remove chlorine and neutralize chloramines.".
I am wondering whether to use this or not from a number of reasons.

1. I read somewhere that StressCoat does not in fact remove chloramines, although it does say so on the cover?

2. Is the product good and non-toxic for my fish?

3. I'm planning on starting the cycle using pure ammonia, do I have to take anything into account before using conditioners such as StressCoat?

Thanks

 

[Bloo]

Directly from the API (Aquarium Pharmaceuticals) website :

Stress Coat®

Purpose and Benefits:

Stress Coat forms a synthetic slime coating on the skin of fish, replacing the natural secretion of slime that is lost during netting, handling, shipping, fighting and other forms of stress. Stress Coat is a water conditioner suitable for fresh and salt water aquariums, water gardens and ponds. Stress Coat contains Aloe Vera, which acts as a liquid bandage, to protect and heal damaged fish tissue. Stress Coat instantly removes chlorine and heavy metals such as copper and zinc from tap water. Stress Coat also removes chloramines by breaking the chlorine-ammonia bond.

The effectiveness of Stress Coat with Aloe Vera has been proven by independent studies conducted at the University of Georgia, School of Veterinary Medicine. Researchers found that Stress Coat helped heal wounds and speed tissue regrowth. Dr John Gratzek summarizes the results: "Personally, I am satisfied with the results since my initial thoughts were skeptical to say the least. These definite statements can be made without equivocation: Stress Coat in no way harms aquarium fish, alters pH, or affects the biological filter. No ammonia or nitrite was detected in the test aquariums. The results indicated that the Stress Coat formula reduced the wound size compared to untreated fish tissue." Aloe Vera is high in mucopolysaccharides, an essential component of many tissues and believed to help in the healing process. The glycoproteins Aloctin A and Aloctin B are also present and identified as the probable tissue-healers.

So the short of it (in my opinion) is that it's a great product and I use it in my tanks.

 

[rdd1952]

You will be fine using Stress Coat. That is the only dechlorinator I have ever used.

 

[Dubby]

I'd definitely recommend it.

 

[IMCL85]

I too use to during transportation go for it

 

[playfulalliecat]

Stress Coat is the best! I have used it for 12 years ever since starting fishkeeping. I don't use it now as I have good well water and no reason but for city treated water, it's awesome!

 

[annka5]

Yep, I've used it too, think it's fine, though personally I think it has plenty of stuff in it whoich fish don't need -e.g. alloe vera -which shouldn't be necessary in a healthy fish - but will do no harm at all.

 

[Bloopie]

Great to hear all these positive comments on it!
I have one more question before using it, should I turn off the filter before applying it? if so, how long afterwards should I turn the filter back on?

Thanks for all the help!

 

[playfulalliecat]

What the aloe vera is for is to help stressed fish to keep their protective coating, what makes them feel slick. This is really good when moving fish from tank to tank, store to tank, etc. It also helps when they have been bullied, water problems arise, or anything out of the ordinary.

The aloe really won't hurt them and I really don't think its a bad thing. Considering at water changes, you are invading their territory.......got to be some stress on them, hands, equipment in the tank, not to mention their water disappearing quickly!

 

[Bloo]

Great to hear all these positive comments on it!
I have one more question before using it, should I turn off the filter before applying it? if so, how long afterwards should I turn the filter back on?

Thanks for all the help!

[snapback]870486[/snapback]​

Nope no need to turn the filter off at any point. You can put in the stress coat at any point - i.e. if using the bucket method to refill, you can put it in the bucket first and then tip the water into the tank. Or just squirt it directly into the tank.

 

[stephend]

I don't think you need to turn off the filter - if the water is already in the tank, and it contains chloramines, then it will already have done its dirty work on your filter bacteria (or more accurately, susceptible bacteria will never have appeared to begin with). It would probably have been better to add StressCoat to the water when you filled the tank so that bacteria could build up from the start.

If you only had chlorine in the water, and it has dissipated by now, then the StressCoat will just provide some nice slime for the fish, but won't harm your filter at all. Go for it!

In the Scotland, our water supplier tends to use chlorine OR chloramine, but not both (from what I have read on their websites). Check with your water supplier for details.

Stephen.

 

[Aqua Andy]

Sorry to pinch your post a little and for maybe asking an obvious question but it has got me thinking. Dangerous I know.

Can chlorine/chloramine kill off existing benifiial bacteria populations?

When conducting water changes is it best to add the de-chlorine/chloramine-ator to the new water in a bucket and leave it for a period of time before then adding it to the existing tank water?

If so how long should you leave the new water with the de-chlorine/chloramine-ator added before adding it to the existing tank water?

 

[Tolak]

Andy;

Chlorine & chloramine will kill the benificial bacteria, though not instantly. I would imagine in a few hours it would severely damage it.

It is best to add the dechlorinator to the bucket, though you can add it to the tank before you pour or pump the fresh water in. I add it on the fly as I fill my tanks with a hose.

Dechlorinator works nearly instantly, by the time you add it to the bucket, put down the bottle & lift the bucket it has done it's thing.

Allie;

You may want to consider something that neuteralizes heavy metals. Well water is known to contain these. A product with EDTA will bind up heavy metals.

Tolak