Is stress zyme a must for aquariums?

[Samantha1801]

Getting back into tanks and I am about to set one up soon. A little rusty on my knowledge of chemicals. Is stress zyme a must buy? And should it be used regularly? I'm trying to decide what chemicals I should buy and what isn't necessary

[Aiken Drum]

Stresszyme is a product that contains bacteria that consumes mulm and detritus. The stuff that can build up in hoses and on your filter media. As far as im aware it isnt something that grows like the beneficial bacteria responsible for your cycle so you need to add it to your tank periodically. At least it says on the bottle you need to keep adding it. The detritus ordinarily would break down and produce ammonia, so the product says it will help your cycle because it reduces the ammonia produced by your aquarium.

Do you need it? No. The majority of people manage tanks just fine without stresszyme or similar (other brands are also available). A healthy tank with an established cycle and proper maintenance can manage just fine. In fact a lot of the beneficial bacteria responsible for your cycle lives in the mulm build up because its a ready supply of food.

Personally i think its an expense you dont need.

[gilpi]

Originally Posted by Aiken Drum

Stresszyme is a product that contains bacteria that consumes mulm and detritus. The stuff that can build up in hoses and on your filter media. As far as im aware it isnt something that grows like the beneficial bacteria responsible for your cycle so you need to add it to your tank periodically. At least it says on the bottle you need to keep adding it. The detritus ordinarily would break down and produce ammonia, so the product says it will help your cycle because it reduces the ammonia produced by your aquarium.

Do you need it? No. The majority of people manage tanks just fine without stresszyme or similar (other brands are also available). A healthy tank with an established cycle and proper maintenance can manage just fine. In fact a lot of the beneficial bacteria responsible for your cycle lives in the mulm build up because its a ready supply of food.

Personally i think its an expense you dont need.

I second this. IMO, way too many chemicals for you to drop cash into. So as he said with a good dechlorinator for your water changes and I think you're all set.

[Joe_D]

Is that the same as "Seachem Pristine ?

[Ulrichsd]

Originally Posted by Joe_D

Is that the same as "Seachem Pristine ?

Stress zyme is supposed to build slime coat or something, but is a dechlorinator I believe. I use seachem prime as my dechlorinator. Not familiar with pristine.

[Joe_D]

I use Prime also.

"Seachem Pristine"also contains a type of bacteria that is suppose to help break down fish and plant waste etc.
It is supposed to help prevent that sort of things from building up in you substrate , etc. and clarify water..
.

[Aiken Drum]

Originally Posted by Joe_D

Is that the same as "Seachem Pristine ?

Yes it is

[Aiken Drum]

Originally Posted by Ulrichsd

Stress zyme is supposed to build slime coat or something, but is a dechlorinator I believe. I use seachem prime as my dechlorinator. Not familiar with pristine.

No. You are confusing stresscoat with stresszyme. Stresscoat is a dechlorinator with an aloe vera additive. Stresszyme contains a bacteria or enzyme or something that consumes sludge.