Why Use Amquel?

[BSquared18]

Perhaps someone can clarify something for me. Fish poop, decaying food, etc. creates ammonia, which the bacteria colony in the tank first converts to nitrites and then to less harmful nitrates. Then the nitrates are controlled through water changes.

You want to keep a thriving bacteria colony to do its job, and to stay healthy that colony needs (I’m assuming) a consistent supply of ammonia for food.

If all of the above is correct, then why would you add Amquel to the tank during a water change, since it neutralizes the ammonia needed by the bacteria for food? Wouldn’t it make more sense to use an additive that neutralizes just the chlorine and perhaps heavy metals, etc.?

Looking forward to anyone’s thoughts on this.

Bill B.

 

[wetwetwet]

HiYa and welcome BS,

Not familiar with Amquel.

Yes what you say is correct, nitrAtes are controlled by water changes and also used by live plants - if you have them in your tank.

I take it that this product neutralises nitrAte?

I suppose if you have very high levels of nitrAte in your tap water then this product may have some value.

Personally I use a product called NitraZorb in the filter to help keep nitrAtes low.

 

[wetwetwet]

Oooops sorry just re-read your post.

I t neutralises ammonnia.

In a mature aquarium this shouldn't be necessary - biological filtration should take care of it.

Not sure on this but I'd imagine it turns it to a form less harmful to fish but bacteria can still process it - but as said shouldn't be neccessary.

I'd stick to a plain tap water conditioner......though if you have allready been using this product the neccessary bacterial colonies might not be established???

Need more thoughts on this one

 

[Great Lakes]

I practice the "if it aint broke, don't fix it" method. I avoid chemicals except for when I have an ill fish. I also do few water changes.

 

[reg2k2]

Few years back, a major water supplier in this area sent out warnings to fishkeepers about a change in the supply. Not sure if it was ammonia, chloramine, or what they were adding, but it was supposed to pose poss. danger to fish and everybody was supposed to make sure to use Amquel, Ammo-lok, and the like.

Myself, I usu. only used Aquasafe. Always felt a little trepidation, tho, during w/c's...'til realized I have a different supplier (lol)...although I'm still not sure...well, pretty sure...

Interesting q., tho.

 

[BSquared18]

Great Lakes,

I too practice the "If it ain't broken, don't fix it" rule, and since my fish are generally healthy in the established tanks where I use Amquel and a product that adds slime to the fishes' skin to protect them, I'll probably keep doing that.

What I've learned is that if you have three fish experts in the room, you'll get four different opinions on many topics.

Maybe that's what makes this hobby so interesting!

Bill B.