Top Rated Water Conditioner for Your Aquarium – Reviews & Guide
Are you in the market for the best water conditioner for fish tanks but you just don’t know what model to order? If so, Dr. Fox recommends that you check out the Tetra AquaSafe PLUS as it is a model that is worth your money. As users claim, this solution is easy to use, and you can see its results in seconds. As a plus, it is said to provide a slime coat that aids the healing of wounds and that protects the fish from additional injuries. Moreover, the buyers can opt to install an app that reminds them to make time for maintenance activities. If the Tetra AquaSafe PLUS is out of stock, please consider the Fluval Water Conditioner as it is a solid second option.
Comparison table
Our Top Choice
The formula works in seconds to neutralize chloramines, chlorine, and heavy metals present in tap water and that can be harmful to fish. It also provides a slime coat to help wounds heal and to protect fish from abrasions. With the concentrated formula, one teaspoon can treat 10 gallons.
Customers advise that you watch the product size carefully if you have a small aquarium, the 2.2 pounds version might be too much for you.
The Tetra AquaSafe PLUS is a very affordable option that can get the job done, allowing your fish to enjoy living in an environment that is clean and healthy.
2nd Best
Apart from cleaning the water and making it livable for your fish, this option will also prevent any kind of inflammation caused by injuries. The product contains a patented stress relief formula that will soothe the fish and make them feel calm during the otherwise scary process of changing the water of your tank.
Make sure you follow the dosage of 0.3ml for 1.5 gallons of water closely. An overdose with this option is dangerous and it could result in it killing your fish.
The good price-to-value ratio of the Fluval Water Conditioner is one of the many reasons why customers like and recommend this water conditioner.
Also To Consider
The dual-action formula will make tap water safe for your fish by removing all the harmful chemicals. It will also replace the fish’s protective coat that can get damaged by handling, with the healing power of Aloe Vera. The one-gallon bottle offers great value, and it will last you for the entire year.
Quite a handful of customers have received the bottle without a cap which makes it impossible to reuse the bottle after the safety seal is off.
If you are not afraid to make an investment, the Mars Fishcare API STRESS is one of the most popular options available on the market.
5 Best Aquarium Water Conditioners (Reviews) in 2021
1. Tetra AquaSafe Plus Water Conditioner
With overall great reviews, the Tetra AquaSafe PLUS is a product that you should necessarily consider. According to its current users, the product stands out due to the fact that you can see its results in seconds, as the solution instantly neutralizes chlorine, chloramines, and the heavy metals that can be found in tap water, all of which are substances that can harm the fish.
What is more, the product is said to provide the fish with an additional coat that helps to heal old wounds and protects from any harm caused by abrasive surfaces. Also, this substance is quite reliable and dependable, as you only have to use one teaspoon to treat ten gallons of water.
In an effort to make tanks maintenance a breeze for its customers, the manufacturer supplies its buyers with the Tetra My Aquarium app that reminds them when to clean the tank. To use the app, the buyer has to download it for free from the Apple Store and make use of the practical advice that it delivers.
It can remove harmful chemicals in tap water and it will add a stress-reducing slime coating to protect fish from abrasions and help wounds heal faster.
This choice includes a 2-in-1 formula that also acts as a dechlorinator and will neutralize heavy metals, chlorine, and chloramines present in tap water to make it safer for your fish.
It is fast-acting and it works in just a few seconds to make water changes not only easier but also more efficient.
You also get access to the Tetra app for smartphones where you will be able to send timely reminders for maintenance activities.
The raised marks on the side of the bottle make it easier to get the right quantity of liquid since each mark equals 10 ml.
While the protective slime is useful to the pets it can make your aquarium look gross and your fish harder to see since it can stick to the glass walls of your aquarium.
2. Fluval Aquaplus 500ml Water Conditioner For Aquariums
Another product that you should have in mind before placing any orders is the Fluval Water Conditioner. As previous buyers point out, this solution can be counted on to neutralize all the harmful substances that tap water contains.
Similarly to other products of this type, when using it, one only needs a small amount of conditioner to treat the water. Thus, a bottle of this product should last a long period of time.
Moreover, this product was developed so that it contains a patented stress relief formula that soothes the fish and makes them calm during the otherwise scary process of changing the water of the tank.
Not only dependable, this product has a great price to value ratio, reason why customers like it and recommend it. As a plus, the product’s formula is also good when it comes to protecting the fish from unwanted scales and fins and preventing any kind of inflammation caused by injuries.
This water conditioner can make tap water safe for fish by removing chlorine, chloramine, and metals, leaving the aquarium 100% safe for its inhabitants.
It is formulated with pure herbal extracts which means that you can be certain that none of the ingredients will pose a threat to the health of your fish.
The comprehensive formula also includes ingredients designed to reduce fish stress and protect the fish scales and fins against cuts and scrapes.
It is a versatile choice that can be used for both fresh and saltwater so that you can get a single bottle for all your aquarium-related tasks.
The bottle will also last you a very long time since the 16.9 oz. size model can treat 1000 gallons.
The instructions are not very clear and they do not say how long you need to wait before you can move the fish into the treated water.
3. API Stress Coat Aquarium Water Conditioner
If you want the best for your fish and you are not afraid to make an investment, the Mars Fishcare API STRESS is a product that you should take a look at. Designed to make the tap water safe for the fish by removing substances such as chlorine and chloramines and detoxifying heavy metals, this product is the ideal ally when it comes to taking care of your aquarium.
Furthermore, this water conditioner is said to be able to help heal all wounds that the fish might have and to replace the fish’s damaged slime coat that prevents any electrolyte loss. Additionally, the stress-free formula of the product minimizes the anxiety caused to the pet each time you have to handle it in order to change the water.
To use it properly, one has to add 5 ml of water conditioner for 38 L of water. However, if you want to replace the fish’s slime coat and to repair any damaged skin and fins, it is recommended that you double the dose.
It is the perfect solution for pet owners who want to get the best value for the money since the 1-gallon bottle offers long-lasting performance and it will save money in the long run.
It can help reduce fish stress by up to 40% by removing all of the harmful chemicals that can be found in untreated tap water.
Another big plus is the inclusion of soothing Aloe vera as one of the primary ingredients seeing as this plant is scientifically proven to help heal and promote regeneration of tissue.
You can use it even if you have live plants in the tank since customers have reported no issues in this regard.
The 1-gallon bottle can treat up to 7600 gallons of tap water.
If you have a diatom issue in your aquarium, this product will only worsen it due to the fact that the ingredient list includes phosphates and silicates.
4. API Tap Water Aquarium Water Conditioner
Another product with a great price to value ratio is the API TAP WATER. According to its manufacturer, this product prevents tap water chemicals from causing gill destruction and tissue irritation to your beloved fish.
Because this product follows a line of tradition, it was developed to not only promote an easy way of taking care of your fish but also to provide it with a safe, welcoming environment. Thus, this formula aims to supply you with the means to control algae, promote healthy bacterial growth and to help control and cure fish diseases.
Due to its highly concentrated formula, you only have to use three drops per gallon. Therefore, the product is long-lasting and does not need to be repurchased very often.
Lastly, it is worth knowing that if you know for sure that your local water authority does not use chloramines during their treatment or the water, you should only use a single drop per gallon.
It is highly efficient at removing chlorine and chloramines from tap water and it will detoxify heavy metals such as copper, lead, and zinc, leaving the water free of harmful contaminants.
It is safe for all aquatic life, including live plants, and it can be used to clean both freshwater and saltwater.
The concentrated formula allows you to treat more water while using fewer quantities of the conditioner – 3 ml can treat 10 gallons of tap water.
The brand is known for the care they put in each of their products and with over 50 years of research and innovation, you can be certain that this choice does not lack quality.
You can use 2-3 times the directed amounts if your water has higher levels of chlorine or chloramines.
The bottle does not come with a dropper, and seeing as this is a concentrated formula, it can be difficult to measure the right quantity to use.
5. API Stress Coat Aquarium Water Conditioner
Another highly regarded product that you should have your eyes on is the API STRESS COAT. With a hard to beat price, this popular solution does its job like a charm whenever you need to change the water from your tank or when you want to add a new fish to the aquarium.
Because the manufacturer spent a lot of time developing this product’s recipe, the solution is said to be capable of reducing the stress caused to the fish by the moving process. According to the results of specialized research done on the subject, when untreated, stress in fish can lead to a weakened immune system and poor health.
What is more, because it contains aloe vera, this product aids the process of regeneration of damaged tissue. Thus, if one of your fish has any issues of this type, you should check this product out.
Last but not least, the product is quite dependable due to the fact that you only have to use 5 ml of product for 10 U.S. gallons of water.
As the name of this product suggests, the formula can help reduce fish stress considerably thanks to the inclusion of soothing Aloe vera extract.
The conditioner will also form a synthetic slime coating that will replace the natural secretion of slime that fish leave in the water in order to help reduce their susceptibility to disease.
The product is dependable since you only need to use around 5 ml of conditioner for every 10 gallons of water that you want to treat and it allows the bottle to last you for a long time.
It has a very consumer-friendly price which helps explain its popularity.
The product is available in different sizes to help you get the one that will last you the most depending on the size of your aquarium and the number of fish that you have.
The Aloe vera in the stress coat slime can build up quickly and make the aquarium look dirty since it can stick to the sides and bottom.
Our Comprehensive Buying Guide
When it comes to finding the best aquarium water conditioner, one has to pay attention to a handful of factors that, at first glance, might not seem that obvious. Because we are well aware of how dreadful the task of reading aquarium water conditioner reviews, for sale articles can be, we have decided to lend you a helping hand. Thus, showcased below you can find a list of must have features that you should not settle without in a product of this type.
Ability to remove unwanted substances
As experts point out, a good aquarium water conditioner has to be able to thoroughly remove any bad substance that tap water often contains, so that your fish can live in a clean, safe environment.
Among the chemicals that a product like this has to get rid of are chlorine, chloramine and heavy metals. The first two substances are present in tap water for disinfection purposes and are not harmful to humans. However, when it comes to fish, both chlorine and chloramine are lethal. Products that also detoxify ammonia and nitrites should also be considered.
Stress control
Another feature that the best water conditioner for aquarium has to have is the ability to control the pet’s stress. As you probably already know, moving the fish when changing the tank’s water might cause your pet quite the trauma.
Thus, in order to minimize the damage inflicted by this necessary process, it is best that you buy a product that supplies stress control. These types of products are said to make the process easier on the fish.
Coat restoration
Additionally, a great water conditioner should contain the needed substances to restore any damage done to the fish tissue. When it comes to fish, the slime coat is the one that protects it from any type of external infection and diseases.
To help keep your fish safe and healthy, some water conditioners can actually create an additional synthetic slime coat that provides enough protection for the pet. Therefore, if you want the best out there for your animal, our suggestion to you is that you purchase a product that delivers both clean water and protection.
Quantity
Last but definitely not least, when browsing the web for a quality product, we suggest you pay attention to the quantity of conditioner one has to use per gallon of water. This piece of information is particularly valuable due to the fact that, when used in higher quantities than required, the water conditioner can become harmful and potentially deadly to the fish,
In order to understand how this product has to be used, it would be a great idea to take some time to read the online reviews and feedback comments that other users have left. By doing so, you’ll quickly learn what is good and what is harmful to your fish. Moreover, the commentary section is very informative as it is likely to point out any undisclosed issues with the chosen product.
