Simple Care Guide

Planted Aquarium Care

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Discover simple, step-by-step guides created by API® experts to help you keep your water healthy and your fish thriving. Search for specific topics or explore our categories below — from freshwater to planted tanks and ponds — to care routines, water tips, and product recommendations tailored to your setup.

Adding Fish

The transition from the pet store or aquatic store to a new aquarium is often stressful for fish as they react and adjust to their new environments. In some cases, elevated stress levels can lead to fish contracting harmful diseases.

To ease this transition from their old environment or store to a new aquarium, we recommend treating your water with a conditioner before adding fish. Choose from the categories below to learn more about acclimating your fish to a new environment.

Protecting Fish Health

The transition from a store to a new tank is stressful for your fish, making them more susceptible to disease. API® STRESS COAT™ water conditioner forms a synthetic slime coat and replaces the natural secretion of slime that is interrupted by handling, shipping, fish fighting, and other stressors to your fish that increase their susceptibility to disease and infection. API STRESS COAT water conditioner is scientifically proven to reduce fish stress by up to 40%, and heals wounds in addition to promoting regeneration of damaged fish tissue.

STRESS COAT™

Reducing Risk Of Disease

New fish may carry diseases that aren’t initially detectable. Use API® MELAFIX™ fish remedy when adding new fish to your tank to reduce the risk of spreading disease to healthy fish. MELAFIX fish remedy contains the natural active ingredient Melaleuca, or tea tree extract, to treat bacterial fish disease, and also aids in repairing damaged tissues and fins from handling and netting. MELAFIX fish remedy is safe for use with even delicate fish species, and will not color aquarium water, harm aquatic plants, stain ornaments, or alter pH.

MELAFIX™

Boosting Bacteria

When more fish that are added to an aquarium, more toxic ammonia and nitrite levels will rise as a result of waste. Any elevated levels of toxic chemicals can stress fish, leading to disease and fish loss. The addition of nitrifying bacteria is recommended to boost the beneficial bacteria to account for these higher ammonia and nitrite production levels for a healthier, safer aquatic environment, helping to prevent fish loss.