stress coat

[thomas]

Do you guys recommend the use of stress coat? A guy at the lfs said you should use stress coat in non mbuna african tanks.

[Boilermaker]

Huh? I wonder why he said non Mbuna, I've always used stresscoat when I do waterchanges, watch out though some of them lower pH.

[SGypsyMermaid]

i've always used stresscoat in all my tanks with no problems.

[chennes]

Same here - did he say why not to use it with mbunas?

Chris

[thomas]

he didn't really say don't use it in mbuna tanks, just that they are hardier and it's not as necessary. Sorry about the misquote.

[SGypsyMermaid]

if you're doing a small water change, almost all adult fish can handle exposure to that amount of chlorine, but i prefer not to expose my babies any more than is necessary. :wink:

[chennes]

Besides that, the point is not whether the chlorine will kill them or not - regardless of how hardy they are, chlorine in any amount is simply not good for the fish. I think it is always a good idea to use the stresscoat - it's not like it adds that much inconvenience or cost.

Chris

[M_sfan87]

I always use it for any fish, if you shouldn't use it for a fish it would say it on the bottle. It really does help in my opinion.

[Mbuniac]

I can't guarantee benefits, but I have always used it in my tanks. I'm using it in my Mbuna tank as well. If nothing else, it makes me feel better. I think my fish's eyes dilate a little and peace reigns in the tank for at least a few minutes, honest! :roll:

[jnorris]

I wish there was a way to test for chlorine in water. Is there?

[jnorris]

Next hous I get will have a basement and a huge 50 gallon plastic drum of filtered water for my tanks.

[SGypsyMermaid]

i can smell it--it's like a faint whiff of bleach!

[jnorris]

Ya.. but is there a way to test the amont that is in your tap water? Some places use chlorine more than others.

[SGypsyMermaid]

i think that you'd have to call your water supply company--and if you do call--you might as well ask them what else is in the water and how much--like nitrates.

[jnorris]

I would be to scared to actually know what I was drinking. :shock:

[jnorris]

Golden and the rest of Colorado has been mined like crazy

[SGypsyMermaid]

:lol: i hear ya!

[BadAndy]

At pharmacies, I've seen water testing kits that will tell you how much iron, chlorine, ph, etc. is in your tap water. I'm pretty sure it tested for chlorine and 100% sure it tested for iron. It was an all purpose test for people who are paranoid about their drinking water. Check at your pharmacy or maybe a pool store? It would be logical that there is a test for chlorine. Its just a matter of finding it.

BadAndy

[catfishes]

I generally assume that all city water sources have levels of chlorine that are toxic to fish. Here in S. Maine we also have to be aware that the city purifies the water with ammonia as well.

If you are on well water, then definately check it for nitrates. I once saw a water sample from a well that tipped the scales within 2 minutes of a 5 minute waiting period, and had to dilute it down with RO water twice before I could even get a reading. And this was the water these poor people had been putting back into their tank after a water change!

We use stress coat at the store (Sera Aquatan) when fish are shipped in breathing heavily and whitewashed in color, but usually not with water changes. I don't see how it could hurt your tank though, if you dose on the conservative side of whatever directions the product gives you.