Aquarium Keeping Made Simple: 2 Essentials

In the aquarium hobby, there are countless water treatments and additives on the market, each promising to enhance water quality or benefit your fish. However, when it comes to absolute essentials, there are only two must-have solutions that every aquarist should use—everything else is optional or species-specific.

1. Dechlorinator – The First Line of Defense

One of the most critical water treatments for any aquarium is a dechlorinator. Tap water contains chlorine and often chloramine, both of which are harmful to fish and beneficial bacteria. Without treatment, these chemicals can cause stress, illness, or even death in aquatic life. At Planted Aquaria, we recommend Seachem Prime, a powerful 2-in-1 dechlorinator that removes chlorine and breaks down chloramine. However, it does more than just make tap water safe—it also temporarily neutralizes ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates by binding these compounds for up to 24–48 hours. This makes it especially useful when dealing with:
✅ Sudden ammonia or nitrite spikes
✅ Emergency fish-in cycling
✅ New tank setups where water conditions fluctuate💡 How to Use:
Always dose Seachem Prime for the entire volume of your aquarium, not just the new water being added. This ensures all toxins in the tank remain under control. Prime is safe for fish, and slight overdosing is not harmful, making it a go-to solution for many aquarists.

2. Beneficial Bacteria – Nature’s Filtration System

The second essential solution for a thriving aquarium is beneficial bacteria. Without a healthy colony of bacteria, waste from fish, plants, and leftover food can quickly turn into harmful ammonia and nitrites.We carry Seachem Stability, which contains dormant beneficial bacteria that activate when added to water. Think of it as bacteria in egg form, waiting to hatch and establish a self-sustaining nitrogen cycle in your tank.💡 Why Use Beneficial Bacteria?
✔ Speeds up tank cycling – Helps establish beneficial bacteria colonies faster in new setups
✔ Stabilizes water quality – Reduces ammonia and nitrite spikes
✔ Supports new livestock – Helps handle increased waste when adding new fish💡 How to Use:
For new tanks, dose daily for the first week to encourage rapid bacteria growth. It’s also beneficial to add Stability when introducing new fish, as extra bacteria help break down the increased bioload. Unlike some chemicals, a little extra bacteria won’t hurt, but don’t go overboard—dumping an entire bottle into a 5-gallon tank isn’t necessary!

What About Other Water Treatments?

You might see various pH adjusters, hardness buffers, and other water conditioners on the shelf. While these can be useful, they are typically only necessary in extreme cases.Most fish can adapt to minor variations in water parameters. If your pH is slightly off by 0.2 points, or your water is a bit harder than ideal, don’t panic! Your livestock will gradually acclimate to its environment. Instead of reaching for chemical adjusters, consider natural methods:🌿 Lowering pH naturally – Use almond leaves, driftwood, or botanicals
🪨 Raising pH naturally – Add crushed coral or aragonite
💧 Softening hard water – Mix reverse osmosis (RO) water with tap water to lower TDS (Total Dissolved Solids)

Choosing Livestock Wisely

Every fish species has unique water parameter preferences. The best practice is to choose fish that thrive in similar conditions. This way, you won’t have to make drastic water adjustments to accommodate multiple species with different needs.By sticking to these two essential solutions—dechlorinator and beneficial bacteria—you’ll create a stable, healthy environment for your fish and plants without overcomplicating things. Happy fishkeeping!
~ Planted Aquaria Team
Tom