In the last edition of TeTrade, we looked at the issue of water quality in general. In this edition, we shall be focusing on three specific products and discovering how each of these functions.
TeTrade: What are the characteristic features of Tetra SafeStart?
Barron Benno ter Höfte: Tetra SafeStart is an integral part of the Tetra Water Care concept, as it contains the live, nitrifying bacteria that are essential in aquariums and particularly in filters. These bacteria help to quickly build a complete range of filter bacteria when setting up an aquarium for the first time, or to maintain these filter bacteria during, for example, partial water changes or following the use of remedies. It is generally well-known that this range of bacteria ensures that the toxic, nitrogenous products created by the protein metabolism of fish are broken down. This product, which is pending patent status, contains Nitrosomonas and Nitrospira live filter bacteria and has been proven to instantly convert the toxic excretion and decomposition products of ammonia and nitrite into non-toxic nitrate, thus ensuring that there are no problems when keeping a standard stock of fish and carrying out measured feeding, even for newly-installed aquariums.
TeTrade: What role does Tetra AquaSafe play?
Dr Birgit Burg: The patented water conditioner Tetra AquaSafe should ideally be used in conjunction with Tetra SafeStart. AquaSafe instantly neutralises substances in tap water that are harmful to fish. For instance, chlorine and/or chloramine are removed by the product’s special ingredients and toxic heavy metals such as copper and lead are completely and permanently neutralised. Furthermore, Tetra AquaSafe provides for healthy water and healthy fish thanks to its unique mix of revitalising vitamins and trace elements that can also be found in the animal’s natural environment. These include iodine to revitalise the fish, vitamin B1 to combat stress and magnesium to promote growth and wellbeing, with this latter also benefiting aquatic plants. Natural biopolymers ensure that the water remains clear. In addition, hydrocolloids (known as protective colloids) serve to protect the fish gills and mucous membrane and thus guard against disease.
TeTrade: As a retailer, what can I say to my clients at the point of sale to convince them that they need these products?
Katja Gundlach: In our Strategic Marketing division we work closely alongside the Research and Development department and are always striving to develop consumer solutions that are highly adapted to the needs of our end users. This means taking into consideration the target audiences, i.e. whether our clients are families that keep an aquarium as a hobby for their children, or whether our products are aimed at very experienced and discerning aquarium experts. Our fundamental aim is to develop products that are both safe and easy to use, something that is substantiated again and again by market research data. A further important factor is product compatibility, for instance all of our feed and care products are complementary and can be used in combination with one another both effortlessly and safely. Tetra SafeStart and Tetra AquaSafe are, as it were, prime examples of this strategy. When used together, these products prepare the quality of the water both quickly and safely to ensure a fast aquarium set-up. Moreover, this product combination reduces the risk of damaging the fish during partial water changes or following the use of remedies.
Dr Birgit Burg: The water conditioner Tetra EasyBalance should also be mentioned in this context. Every aquarist knows that partial water changes are a routine part of aquarium care, but they can often be time-consuming. This is where the retailer can recommend Tetra EasyBalance as a great alternative solution. When used correctly, this product stabilises the water values in an aquarium that is in good condition with a moderate fish stocking for up to six months, thus significantly reducing the number of water changes required. Effective stabilisation of the pH and KH values compensates for the natural, chemical changes in water quality and prevents acidity from plummeting to dangerous levels. The carbonate hardness level of the aquarium is thus stabilised. Tetra EasyBalance is therefore particularly well suited for use in soft-water aquariums, for example in tanks containing characins or South American cichlids. Major fluctuations in the pH value due to a simple increase in the water hardness level can thus be prevented. Excessive pH values are also gradually lowered by the steady microbiological generation of low levels of CO2.
At the same time, EasyBalance adds organic, biodegradable compounds in the form of visible denitrifying granules. These granules sink quickly to the bottom of the aquarium where they take effect by reducing the water's nitrate content. Tetra EasyBalance also contains an innovative phosphate removal substance, which reduces existing phosphate and that the phosphate introduced by fish feed. This results in the prevention of excessive algae growth. Furthermore, Tetra EasyBalance adds valuable B group vitamins, essential trace elements, such as manganese, nickel , vanadium und molybdenum, as well as bioavailable iron, to the water and thus compensates for the steady, natural depreciation of these substances due in part to absorption by fish and aquatic plants.