additives & water heaters

Question
QUESTION: Hi, I am kind of new to tropical fish and fresh-water aquariums. As of this moment, am allowing my tank to stabilize, added decorations & AquaSafe, also added those gem looking decorations (you can find at Walmart etc.) to the bottom, instead of using gravel.

Anyway, I am still on my second day of preparation for adding fish. The question I have right now is, what is the difference between allowing the 3 day period before adding the fish (when it is a new tank); and then just completely cleaning your fish-tank (water changes) once you already have them? You don't have to wait 3 days before putting them back in, after a water change..

Again, a am new to this, so any & all info. would be greatly appreciated; don't want my fish to die! "thanks"

ANSWER: Hello Melissa:  Congratulations on your tank!  There is no difference between changing the water completely and starting up a new fish tank... The difference comes in the fact that water changes are rarely 100%... usually its about 10-20 percent by volume or just enough to really clean your gravel good with a gravel vacuum... Hope this makes sense...dave

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Okay, I thought that was it; there's just one more thing! Would you say that it is safe to add both AquaSafe & Cycle to an aquarium? I first added the AquaSafe and then I added the Cycle, just a few days later. I am supposed to add cycle again next week, once more. I'd read somewhere that this would add beneficial bacteria to the water, thereby preventing fish loss. But, would you say, it is okay to have the both of them in the aquarium at the same time?

I also bought this small 5 gallon water heater; and the temp. It is still only at 72', with nothing else affecting it; such as air-conditioning etc. Maybe I bought a defective one?

Answer
Hi Melissa:  I would just let the tank cycle on its own.  You should not have to use those products on a weekly basis... they should be used when tanks are started or when you have to do large water changes because of disease. Since you have already got them both in the tank no damage should occur.  They both kind of do the same thing.  When you do your weekly water change...just don't add anymore chemicals to your water except aquarium salt.  How large is your tank??? You may have to make sure that the water is circulating around your tank else the heater will think that it has done its job because the water directly near the thermostat is just where it should be when in fact the other areas of the tank are chilly.... keep me posted... dave