Are "waste control" products useful?

[Sitting Duck]

Hello,

I've been using a product called "Waste Control" sold by a company named Nutrafin. On the bottle, they claim that it's an organic waste eliminator and that it solubilizes it.

Is this kind of product useful and is it safe for the fish?
Does using it reduce the amount of crud found at the bottom of my tank (mainly fish poop since I don't overfeed)?

Thanks!

 

[Etheostoma]

No product will eliminate the need for regular maintenance including water changes, filter refreshment, and vacuuming.

 

[Nightswimmer]

Nothing reduces waste. You must either vacuum the substrate with a vacuum syphon or use a python.(A definant keeper) Just make sure to vacuum sections of substrate each time you do a water change so do not stress your swimmers. Never do the whole tank at once

 

[jade71301]

How about fishless cycle, p clear and b clear is that a waste of money as well? Jsut curious cause I need more fishless cycle and want to get b clear if it helps with some algae.

 

[Lotus]

I think throwing chemicals in your tank, hoping it will somehow "clean" it is a bad idea.

It's like spraying something with Febreeze because you didn't wash it... it smells better, but it's still dirty. Would you spray your sheets with Febreeze every week for a year but not wash them? .... water changes!

In the case of a fishless cycle, wait until the fishless cycle is done, then take care of anything with water changes.

 

[Seleya]

AWESOME analogy, Lotus!

I'll be shamelessly 'borrowing' it.

(yeah, I've been away -- just catching up)