Things We ♥ - Great Products!
This page is devoted to things I've personally used that I give a thumbs up! I have listed the claims of the product (per the label as well as the online descriptions), have tested these claims to reality and have put my experiences and final verdict.
SeaChem Flourish Fertilizer
This fertilizer is on our Great Products list because it is easy to obtain, not too expensive, and works well on your plants. This product can be found in Petsmarts, many specialty stores, and easily found for competitive prices online.
Pros:
Cons:
Verdict: If you have a relatively densely-planted tank, go for it. It's a great addition to your cleaning regimen. Done a day after a water change.
Pros:
- Easy to use: it can be your sole fertilizer in a tank, which is great for newer plant lovers.
- You'd use very little at a time, and get quite a lot for the price.
- Not stinky like some fertilizers can be.
Cons:
- Can easily be over-dosed which can cause algae issues if one isn't careful.
- Is not the best option if you are an advanced planted tank enthusiast: you would need other fertilizers.
- Is more expensive than other options (that are of lesser quality).
Verdict: If you have a relatively densely-planted tank, go for it. It's a great addition to your cleaning regimen. Done a day after a water change.
Marineland 5g Hex
Image: Petco.com
Claims: Silent operation, 3-stage filtration, top-mounted filter and hood, easy installation and operation.
Truth:
-Quiet, but not always silent
- Filtration is very effective
- Filter and mechanics on top in hood
- Operation and installation easy, though a little finicky
My Experiences: I enjoyed this tank. It is a bit over 5 gallons, acrylic and its filter is fantastic- one of the best for cycling. The filter's out flow is a little strong for a betta, but can be baffled easily and will slow over time. The hex design is a bit strange and almost bulky, but still appealing and unique. Hood is broken into sections- which fit like a puzzle and need to be put on in a certain order, which can get annoying. Is divideable, but no the best tank for dividing- taller than it is wide. Places to put a heater are a little awkward, but manageable.
Verdict: A great product, worth buying. The filter make cycling a breeze and is easy as pie to clean. The hex shape is unique but not recommended for dividing. On the more expensive side, this tank is still worth the money. I really enjoyed mine!
Aqua Culture Thermometer
Claims: Easy to read, sticks easily, for all aquariums, "temperature zone" for tropical fish
Truth:
- Easy to read, has thick lines and large enough numbers
- Suctions to the tank well, rarely comes off
- Green Temperature zone is helpful.
- Can break, even without provocation/dropping.
My Experiences: I use these thermometers in my tanks. I've used others, but these are the easiest to read by far. They are also not expensive and widely available. If they break in-tank, and they have, the balls will rust!
Verdict: A good product that I recommend buying. It works well, is accurate and looks good in a tank. Has been known to break-- if so, be careful, clean the glass away and remove all the water- does not contain mercury. However, it will rust if the metal balls are not removed, which is difficult. Please be careful.
Truth:
- Easy to read, has thick lines and large enough numbers
- Suctions to the tank well, rarely comes off
- Green Temperature zone is helpful.
- Can break, even without provocation/dropping.
My Experiences: I use these thermometers in my tanks. I've used others, but these are the easiest to read by far. They are also not expensive and widely available. If they break in-tank, and they have, the balls will rust!
Verdict: A good product that I recommend buying. It works well, is accurate and looks good in a tank. Has been known to break-- if so, be careful, clean the glass away and remove all the water- does not contain mercury. However, it will rust if the metal balls are not removed, which is difficult. Please be careful.
Top Fin Water Dechlorinator
Claims: Removes chlorine, chloramine and heavy metals in the water, highly concentrated (less drops per gallon), works quickly to make water safe.
Truth:
- Removes chlorine, chloramine and heavy metals.
- Is in high concentration; need less to be effective, usually 1 drop a gallon.
- Does work fast.
My Experiences: I use this brand because it is effective, a good price and it requires less drops than most conditioners.
Verdict: A good product made by a reliable company. The price per drop per gallon is quite good and this product is sold in many chain stores.
Omega One Betta Buffet Pellets
Claims: Made with all natural ingredients, pellets will not foul tank, formulated "for bettas", 42% protein.
Truth:
- Protein content is in a good range for bettas
- Pellets do not foul tank (within reason)
- Pellets are VERY small, though this is not a bad thing.
- Fairly expensive for a small size (.6oz)
My Experience: My fish really enjoy these. They are small which is wonderful for young and older fish alike, especially small fish. The protein content is in an acceptable range as well.
Verdict: A good product, worth buying. Somewhat expensive for so little, but worth it. Pellets are nice and small and can be found in many chain stores, especially in LFS.
Aqueon Plant Food
Claims: Provided micro and macro nutrients for plants for beneficial growth.
Truth:
- Does help plants grow
- Has an appropriate distribution of nutrients
- A good price for the results
- Easily measured for 5, 10 and 15g tanks.
My Experience: Works very well in my planted tanks, from lightly to heavily planted. It's a good price for a product that works well.
Verdict: A good price for the amount and the quality of fertilizer you get. Certainly helps plants and is comparable to more expensive brands. A very good replacement for Seachem Excel when you have anacharis in your tank, as it will melt with Excel.
Jungle Fungus Clear
Claims: Gets rid of such ailments such as dropsy, fin rot, septicemia, "fungus" and clamped fins with an easy to use tab that fizzes.
Truth:
- Does work well against advanced fin rot, does help a little with septicemia.
- Will not and cannot (based on ingredients) cure a true "fungus" on a fish.
- Dropsy probably cannot be cured by this product.
- Tabs are for 10 gallons of water, but can be broken for smaller amounts.
My Experience: I've used this for fin rot in very advanced as well as more mild cases as well as columnaris with good results. Frustratingly difficult to divide tabs as they're for 10 gallons.
Verdict: A good medicine, but this is a powerful medicine as well as an antibiotic. This should not be used unless other options have been exhausted. Easy to find (sold in even Wal*Mart!) and a good price. Hard to make it for small tanks.
API Liquid Ammonia Kit
Claims: Accurate, measures NH3 and NH4+ (ammonia), makes 75 tests, fresh and salt water.
Truth:
- Is quite accurate
- Is an easy test to do, simple
- Test tube is glass (breakable) and narrow (hard to clean out)
- Useful when you can't get a full kit
- Does many, many tests (cost-friendly)
My Experiences: A good alternative to a full, much more expensive kit- especially while cycling. Cost-effective and accurate, though breakable.
Verdict: Worth buying if you can't get a full kit, is a good price. Accurate and makes many tests with ease. Tube is breakable and too narrow to easily clean, so do not allow the test to stay in the tube. If you don't, it will leave residue on the inside.
Truth:
- Is quite accurate
- Is an easy test to do, simple
- Test tube is glass (breakable) and narrow (hard to clean out)
- Useful when you can't get a full kit
- Does many, many tests (cost-friendly)
My Experiences: A good alternative to a full, much more expensive kit- especially while cycling. Cost-effective and accurate, though breakable.
Verdict: Worth buying if you can't get a full kit, is a good price. Accurate and makes many tests with ease. Tube is breakable and too narrow to easily clean, so do not allow the test to stay in the tube. If you don't, it will leave residue on the inside.
Petco 6.6 gallon Bookshelf Tank
Claims: Slim and sleek, 6.6 gallons, plastic safety top and full fluorescent hood
Truth:
- Slim and very attractive looking, rims can be removed
- Hood and lights are great, especially for price
- Plastic guard fits perfectly
- Comes with an adjustable filter
My Experiences: I love this tank, it is wonderful for bettas since it is longer than it is tall and is also perfect for planted tanks. The filter is FANTASTIC, even for bettas. Is too strong for a divided tank but great for the 6.6g.
Verdict: If you can afford it (watch for sales!) get it. Perfection for planted tanks and does well as a divided tank. Has a slight bow in the front so take care. Filter is adjustable and quite friendly for long fins. Considering the light alone runs for over $30 by itself, this tank at usually under $40 is a genuine steal.
Truth:
- Slim and very attractive looking, rims can be removed
- Hood and lights are great, especially for price
- Plastic guard fits perfectly
- Comes with an adjustable filter
My Experiences: I love this tank, it is wonderful for bettas since it is longer than it is tall and is also perfect for planted tanks. The filter is FANTASTIC, even for bettas. Is too strong for a divided tank but great for the 6.6g.
Verdict: If you can afford it (watch for sales!) get it. Perfection for planted tanks and does well as a divided tank. Has a slight bow in the front so take care. Filter is adjustable and quite friendly for long fins. Considering the light alone runs for over $30 by itself, this tank at usually under $40 is a genuine steal.
Seachem Flourish Tabs
Claims: Root tabs to be buried, time release formula, 1 tab per 10 gallons
Truth:
- Does improve plant health and robustness
- Tabs are hard and cannot be broken up for smaller tanks
- Turn to slime when buried and can be messy
- Cost- friendly
My Experience: I wanted to try something different from API's root tabs, and instead got these for the same price- approx. $10 for 10. They did as they said and I saw noticeable plant improvement, even from my stem plants. They can't be broken up and that's cruddy for smaller tanks.
Verdict: Worth it. They're a good product and are a good price. NOT recommended for tanks under 5g or lightly planted, since the tab cannot be broken to accommodate tank size. If your tank is under 5g, consider getting API's root tabs instead.
Truth:
- Does improve plant health and robustness
- Tabs are hard and cannot be broken up for smaller tanks
- Turn to slime when buried and can be messy
- Cost- friendly
My Experience: I wanted to try something different from API's root tabs, and instead got these for the same price- approx. $10 for 10. They did as they said and I saw noticeable plant improvement, even from my stem plants. They can't be broken up and that's cruddy for smaller tanks.
Verdict: Worth it. They're a good product and are a good price. NOT recommended for tanks under 5g or lightly planted, since the tab cannot be broken to accommodate tank size. If your tank is under 5g, consider getting API's root tabs instead.
API Root Tabs
Claims: Please see above
Truth:
- See above
- Can be broken to accommodate for smaller tanks
- Can get quite messy; if siphoned up has large levels of kick up
My Experience: I like these tabs. They're a good price, approx. $10 for 10 tabs and can be broken while Seachem's cannot.
Verdict: Worth it, especially if your tank is lightly planted or if smaller than 5g, since they can be scored and then broken to fit for size. Be warned, though: they get very messy if the gravel area they're buried in is disturbed.
Truth:
- See above
- Can be broken to accommodate for smaller tanks
- Can get quite messy; if siphoned up has large levels of kick up
My Experience: I like these tabs. They're a good price, approx. $10 for 10 tabs and can be broken while Seachem's cannot.
Verdict: Worth it, especially if your tank is lightly planted or if smaller than 5g, since they can be scored and then broken to fit for size. Be warned, though: they get very messy if the gravel area they're buried in is disturbed.
Top Fin™ Sword Leaf Silk Plastic Plants
Verdict: These plants are attractive, silk, and rather inexpensive. They are a worthwhile buy.
With a weighted base, these plants do not need a substrate to prevent them from floating. This makes them ideal for use even in a QT tank when a fish is recovering but needs places to hide and rest. These plants are silk and are dyed, meaning their coloring will not flake off and become ugly over time. They are sturdy and not prone to becoming thread-y.
Cons: The plastic towards the bottom of the plant is a bit sharp. It can be removed with scissors, if desired.
With a weighted base, these plants do not need a substrate to prevent them from floating. This makes them ideal for use even in a QT tank when a fish is recovering but needs places to hide and rest. These plants are silk and are dyed, meaning their coloring will not flake off and become ugly over time. They are sturdy and not prone to becoming thread-y.
Cons: The plastic towards the bottom of the plant is a bit sharp. It can be removed with scissors, if desired.
Top Fin® Layered Flat Stone
Verdict: This faux-rock decoration is a natural-looking, safe hiding spot for fish.
This decoration was a great-looking addition to my tank. It is safe in that it has no inherently rough or sharp edges and that its entry holes are more than wide enough to have the fish safely travel through. It is a fairly large ornament and will not fit in smaller tanks.
Cons: This decoration can be hard to sink. Tapping the air out by hitting the cave will allow some bubbles to escape, but it is tedious work. Make sure all sides are firmly planted to prevent your fish from getting under and inside the bottom, which is hollow. This decoration, like any that aren't completely open, has a propensity to trap in foul smells. It cannot be helped and also does not smell until lifted or moved drastically. Frequent water changes help to lessen the unpleasant scent.
This decoration was a great-looking addition to my tank. It is safe in that it has no inherently rough or sharp edges and that its entry holes are more than wide enough to have the fish safely travel through. It is a fairly large ornament and will not fit in smaller tanks.
Cons: This decoration can be hard to sink. Tapping the air out by hitting the cave will allow some bubbles to escape, but it is tedious work. Make sure all sides are firmly planted to prevent your fish from getting under and inside the bottom, which is hollow. This decoration, like any that aren't completely open, has a propensity to trap in foul smells. It cannot be helped and also does not smell until lifted or moved drastically. Frequent water changes help to lessen the unpleasant scent.
Top Fin® Roman Columns
Verdict: These decorations are really handsome looking and well-made. This style is inexpensive and safe for fish to travel through the middle opening.
They are solid and do not float, meaning they can be used in tanks even without gravel. They are intricately detailed and come with a host of matching designs in a similar style, allowing your tank to be handsomely furnished with the same theme. There are no inherently sharp edges, and no holes that a fish could get stuck in.
Cons: The white surface is easily caked with algae and brown diatoms. When covered, cleaning can be a pain due to the small details and ridges.
They are solid and do not float, meaning they can be used in tanks even without gravel. They are intricately detailed and come with a host of matching designs in a similar style, allowing your tank to be handsomely furnished with the same theme. There are no inherently sharp edges, and no holes that a fish could get stuck in.
Cons: The white surface is easily caked with algae and brown diatoms. When covered, cleaning can be a pain due to the small details and ridges.