Comparing api tap water conditioner and api aqua essential

[BadgersSong]

What's the key difference between these two products, aside from the obvious price difference?

[boomer]

The API Tap Water Conditioner is top-notch for tackling chlorine and chloramine issues, and it's also effective against heavy metals. A major plus is that it contains fewer chemicals, which means less stress for your fish. Plus, it's highly concentrated, making it a great value.

The API Aqua Essential, on the other hand, is API's response to Prime. It does more than just condition the water - it also deals with ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate. However, if you don't have issues with these, using the Aqua Essential might put unnecessary stress on your fish. As for heavy metals, I'm not sure if it uses the same chemical as Prime, but I suspect it doesn't, which would make it a better choice. I did some digging and found out that the extra chemical in Prime can actually interfere with your plants' ability to use nutrient-rich heavy metals, which is just another unnecessary chemical in the tank.

[BadgersSong]

Thanks for breaking it down for me. I think I'm going to stick with having some Prime around for emergencies, but I'll probably make the switch to API for regular use. Appreciate the insight.

[happyone]

For me, Prime works out cheaper since my water's got chloramine - you need to use more API than Prime to counter that. Been using Prime for nearly 11 years now, and my fish and plants are doing great. No need to change what's working.

[boomer]

For me, Prime works out cheaper since my water's got chloramine - you need to use more API than Prime to counter that. Been using Prime for nearly 11 years now, and my fish and plants are doing great. No need to change what's working.

I've got a different take on the dosing. API Tap Water Conditioner is 1 drop for chlorine and 2 for chloramine. Now, Prime, if I recall correctly, is always 2 drops, no matter what. Am I misremembering this now?

[Giggletons]

The API Tap Water Conditioner is top-notch for tackling chlorine and chloramine issues, and it's also effective against heavy metals. A major plus is that it contains fewer chemicals, which means less stress for your fish. Plus, it's highly concentrated, making it a great value.

The API Aqua Essential, on the other hand, is API's response to Prime. It does more than just condition the water - it also deals with ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate. However, if you don't have issues with these, using the Aqua Essential might put unnecessary stress on your fish. As for heavy metals, I'm not sure if it uses the same chemical as Prime, but I suspect it doesn't, which would make it a better choice. I did some digging and found out that the extra chemical in Prime can actually interfere with your plants' ability to use nutrient-rich heavy metals, which is just another unnecessary chemical in the tank.

I've done some quick math, and I think more API is required. From what I see, 1 ml of Prime is needed for 10 gallons, but for API TWC with chloramine, it's 2 ml for 10 gallons. I've come across different sources, so I'm still not entirely confident in my findings.

[happyone]

I've been using a medicinal syringe for dosing water conditioner during water changes, measuring out in milliliters rather than drops - to be honest, I have no idea how many drops are in a milliliter.

From what I've found, the recommended dosage for Prime is 1 ml per 10 USG of tap water, whereas API requires 2 ml per 10 USG.

[happyone]

The API Tap Water Conditioner is top-notch for tackling chlorine and chloramine issues, and it's also effective against heavy metals. A major plus is that it contains fewer chemicals, which means less stress for your fish. Plus, it's highly concentrated, making it a great value.

The API Aqua Essential, on the other hand, is API's response to Prime. It does more than just condition the water - it also deals with ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate. However, if you don't have issues with these, using the Aqua Essential might put unnecessary stress on your fish. As for heavy metals, I'm not sure if it uses the same chemical as Prime, but I suspect it doesn't, which would make it a better choice. I did some digging and found out that the extra chemical in Prime can actually interfere with your plants' ability to use nutrient-rich heavy metals, which is just another unnecessary chemical in the tank.

I've done some quick math, and I think more API is required. From what I see, 1 ml of Prime is needed for 10 gallons, but for API TWC with chloramine, it's 2 ml for 10 gallons. I've come across different sources, so I'm still not entirely confident in my findings.

I'll take your word for it on the math, no need for me to double-check. A medicinal syringe just seems so much more efficient for larger water changes, why bother with a dropper?

[happyone]

I've added the API Tap Water conditioner directions for your reference. For my water changes, I use 5 ml of API for 30 USG when my tap water is treated with chloramine. Prime, on the other hand, requires 3 ml to treat the same amount of water.

[boomer]

Something's amiss in the math department. Taking the charts in post #7 as gospel, API TWC uses 1ml for every 20 gallons. Prime, on the other hand, requires 1ml for every 10 gallons - 5ml for 50 gallons works out to 1ml for 10 gallons. No room for debate here. This means Prime needs double the amount.

Adding unnecessary chemical interactions just doesn't make sense. It's basic common sense, really. If you've got shares in the company and want to boost sales by using double the dose, be my guest.