Stress Coat vs Water Conditioner

[TheDudeAbides]

Anyone recommend using API Stress Coat instead of just a water conditioner?
I regularly use Aqueon water conditioner when I do water changes along with API Quick Start. But I know some people use API Stress Coat instead of water conditioner because it supposedly IS a water conditioner but has some other added benefits as well. I’m basically of the thought of “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” because I haven’t had any issues with the method I use. I’m just curious if using Stress Coat instead would be more beneficial or if I should just leave well enough alone.

 

[Andy Sager]

Anyone recommend using API Stress Coat instead of just a water conditioner?
I regularly use Aqueon water conditioner when I do water changes along with API Quick Start. But I know some people use API Stress Coat instead of water conditioner because it supposedly IS a water conditioner but has some other added benefits as well. I’m basically of the thought of “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” because I haven’t had any issues with the method I use. I’m just curious if using Stress Coat instead would be more beneficial or if I should just leave well enough alone.

There is some debate on the benefits and safety of adding Aloe to an aquarium. If you haven't been using it. I wouldn't start. As for the Quick Start, once the tank has cycled, there really is no reason to use it unless you do some extreme cleaning of the tank and filter materials. The nitrifying microbes are not free swimming in the water so doing a water change does not affect them.

 

[Aiken Drum]

Link to the frequently cited aquariumscience.org . Interesting that the author has now put his name against his work which he never used to. David Bogert of Florida. @Andy Sager do you know him?

5.5.4. Stress Coat Products

All Stress Coat products are pure marketing hype.

aquariumscience.org

IMO there isn't enough there to say that stresscoat or other aloe vera containing products are harmful to fish. It clearly identifies a risk though, but many people use this product without issue so I would say its safe the vast majority of time at the prescribed dosage.

My personal experience with Stresscoat is that I used it for many years without any issue. I changed to Seachem Prime and observed no difference in my aquariums, good or bad.

As a new Axolotl owner I've learned that aloe vera containing products can't be used with axolotls due to the gill coating issue, so I don't think there is any debate about whether aloe vera causes issues with gills, just whether the amount in Stresscoat is sufficient to cause problems with fish if used correctly. Its clearly not an issue for most circumstances.

The reason I stopped using Stresscoat was 100% down to cost. It's stupidly expensive.

473ml bottle of stresscoat costs me about £23, and will do about 20 water changes on my 200 litre aquarium. So about £1.15 per water change.

500ml bottle of seachem prime costs me about £23 also, but will do about 100 water changes on my 200 litre aquarium. So about 23p per water change.

To give you a comparison on your chosen water conditioner.

473ml bottle of aqueon water conditioner would cost me about £16, and will do about 20 water changes on a 200 litre aquarium. So about 80p per water change.

If Stresscoat is your chosen water conditioner then it's fine, you are paying for bells and whistles that don't really do anything beneficial IMO. There is a risk depending on what you keep in your aquarium though, and its a risk that can be completely avoided. Your chosen water conditioner will be doing the same job, for less money. There are more cost effective water conditioners than Stresscoat out there. Seachem Prime, API Tap Water Conditioner and API AquaEssential usually work out the most cost effective water conditioners available.

API do some clever marketing on their steesscoat product, charge a premium, when it does no better a job than some of their other water conditioners.

 

[TheDudeAbides]

Ok. So based on all the information including the article, I think I will just carry on as I have been. My fish have been pretty stable so far and I haven’t had any major issue except for an algae bloom, which was resolved. My water is crystal clear and my ammonia, nitrate, nitrite, and pH levels are all good. I guess I answered my own question lol.. but thank you all as well. Just trying to get more knowledgeable.

 

[Andy Sager]

Link to the frequently cited aquariumscience.org . Interesting that the author has now put his name against his work which he never used to. David Bogert of Florida. @Andy Sager do you know him?

One of the few old timers I don't. He's from the opposite side of the state than where I'm from.

 

[Aiken Drum]

One of the few old timers I don't. He's from the opposite side of the state than where I'm from.

It's kinda like how people think I will know everyone in London, when it's a city of 9 million people, a 3 hour drive away, and i can count the number of people I know who live there on the fingers of one hand.

 

[Andy Sager]

It's kinda like how people think I will know everyone in London, when it's a city of 9 million people, a 3 hour drive away, and i can count the number of people I know who live there on the fingers of one hand.

I hear ya. I only know two people in Manchester and I doubt the person I dealt with in the 80s in London is still there or alive. Other than them, I know nobody else in Europe personally but know companies that we dealt with but it's been 25 years now since I was dealing with any of them. I doubt the personnel is the same. LOL