Aquarium additives & supplements are probably the most important of all aquarium supplements. They are utilized just about ubiquitously during the hobby. The point of an aquarium conditioner is to eliminate or neutralize dangerous and toxic chemicals typically found in tap water present in the aquarium. Unfortunately, not all of us are so up on the latest and greatest additives & supplements. We may unknowingly be feeding our harmful fish materials that will lead to devastating consequences for them.
Many of us have the tendency of using cheaper, more generic aquarium supplements & additives. It’s a quick way to get things going, but these are generally ill-advised to use for a saltwater aquarium. Some contain unnecessary salt, which will reduce water clarity. Others may contain metal shavings which will clog air circulation in the aquarium. This is unfortunate because the air is one of the primary elements that make it possible for fish to thrive.
It’s best to stick to reputable brand aquarium conditioner and aquarium additives. Some of the more expensive brands have fancy packaging and claims of additional health benefits to consumers. But, if you read the label (or watch the back of the bottle) you will discover that the marine products inside are fairly standard and don’t come with any extra health benefits. You will want to find an aquarium supplement & conditioner that contains high levels of magnesium and calcium to strengthen your water quality.
If you’re looking for something a little nicer to look at, there are natural aquarium additives that can be added to your saltwater aquarium. These types of supplements are typically very inexpensive, especially considering the multitude of health benefits they offer. They also do not detract from the quality of your water or the aquarium environment. Most of the supplements in this category are plant based. There is some debate as to the optimal type of supplement to use, but most people find that probiotics (the good bacteria) work well with marine aquarium conditions.
There are also some excellent, inexpensive natural supplements that can be bought online. Many people start out with some form of marine vegetation like seaweed or drift wood. Over time these types of products will degrade. The best thing to do is use them up and replenish them with new ones. It would be a shame to waste a perfectly good supply of natural aquarium supplements just because you didn’t think to look for the right way to store them.
You may also use these aquarium supplements for various other reasons besides just strengthening your marine tank. For example, you can add them to your homemade water softener. This will help save money on electricity and the environment. You can also use these additives to help your corals and other marine life to flourish in the wild. This will make it easier for them to survive when you get them in the wild.
Some people also use additives to treat goldfish and guppies. Goldfish tend to be quite sensitive to the things that they come in contact with. These types of aquarium accessories will help to reduce their sensitivity to certain things in the tank. This can be used to help get rid of things like goldfish droppings in the water, scales, or other types of waste. These chemicals are safe to use alongside other aquarium additives because the goldfish don’t have any reaction to it.
There are many different aquarium additives you can use. Just be sure that you are using the right ones for the specific aquarium you have. You will also need to take into consideration the effects these additives will have on your salt water aquarium. Use these guidelines to choose the right aquarium supplies for your salt water aquarium.