---
product_id: 5256484
title: "Freshwater First Defense"
brand: "drtim's aquatics"
price: "€ 58.81"
currency: EUR
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 11
url: https://www.desertcart.nl/products/5256484-freshwater-first-defense
store_origin: NL
region: Netherlands
---

# Stress Relief Immune Support Water Quality Boost Freshwater First Defense

**Brand:** drtim's aquatics
**Price:** € 58.81
**Availability:** ✅ In Stock

## Summary

> 🐠 Dive into a Healthier Aquarium Experience!

## Quick Answers

- **What is this?** Freshwater First Defense by drtim's aquatics
- **How much does it cost?** € 58.81 with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.nl](https://www.desertcart.nl/products/5256484-freshwater-first-defense)

## Best For

- drtim's aquatics enthusiasts

## Why This Product

- Trusted drtim's aquatics brand quality
- Free international shipping included
- Worldwide delivery with tracking
- 15-day hassle-free returns

## Key Features

- • **Adaptation Ally:** Helps fish and shrimp adjust seamlessly to new habitats.
- • **Transform Your Tank:** Elevate your aquarium's health with our stress-relief formula.
- • **Water Quality Wizard:** Neutralizes harmful chemicals and buffers pH for a thriving environment.
- • **Immune System Supercharge:** Packed with vitamins and immunostimulants for optimal fish health.
- • **Routine Maintenance Essential:** Perfect for water changes and new additions to your aquatic family.

## Overview

DrTim's AquaticsFirst Defense is a 16oz liquid solution designed to provide stress relief and immune system support for freshwater aquariums. It contains a blend of vitamins and immunostimulants that promote healing and enhance fish health, while also neutralizing harmful chemicals and improving water quality. Ideal for new setups, water changes, and routine maintenance, this product ensures your aquatic life thrives in a safe and balanced environment.

## Description

DrTim’s Aquatics First Defense for Freshwater Aquariums – Stress Relief & Immune System Support with Vitamins & Immunostimulants for Fish Tanks 16oz.

## Features

- First Defense for Freshwater Aquarium provides stress relief & naturally supports fish immune system
- Aids fish & other aquatic organisms as they adapt to new tank environments & poor water quality conditions
- Contains a mixture of vitamins & immunostimulants that promote wound healing & boost immune health
- Neutralizes chlorine & chloramine in water, buffers against pH changes, & detoxifies heavy metals
- Use when setting-up a new aquarium, changing tank water, adding new fish & after routine maintenance

## Technical Specifications

| Specification | Value |
|---------------|-------|
| Allergen Information | Almonds Free |
| Target Species | Fish, Shrimp |
| Item Form | Liquid |
| Item Weight | 0.6 Pounds |
| Liquid Volume | 16 Fluid Ounces |

## Product Details

- **Brand:** DrTim's Aquatics
- **Liquid Volume:** 16 Fluid Ounces
- **Item Weight:** 0.6 Pounds
- **Item Form:** Liquid
- **Target Species:** Fish, Shrimp

## Images

![Freshwater First Defense - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81Xn6jBoAIL.jpg)

## Available Options

This product comes in different **Size, Style** options.

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5.0 out of 5 stars







  
  
    Absolutely Works
  

*by S***E on Reviewed in the United States on November 1, 2012*

Started 3 29 gallon tanks for a research project in biology.Tank 1:  Plain Water with ammonium chloride as ammonia source.Tank 2:  APIs Quick Start with ammonium chloride as ammonia source.Tank 3:  DrTim's One & Only with ammonium chloride as ammonia source.Ammonium Chloride was purchased from Amazon (DrTim's Ammonium Chloride Solution for Fish-less Cycling).  Each tank was prepared with a standard dechlorinator (It is important not to use any product that binds or "locks" ammonia, as it is required for the cycle to progress).  Water was allowed to rest for 24 hours, filters and heaters running, temps set to 80.5F, 30 LBS of standard gravel in each tank.  Each tank received an initial dose of ammonium chloride of 29 drops (one drop per gallon), which raised ammonia to ~2.0 PPM.Caveats:  If you use an API test kit, you will likely see about half the expected ammonia concentration.  The test is not accurate at low levels, and does not measure the type of source used as well as other master kits.  Be concise with the dosing and you are fine.  You can use a Nutrifin NH3/NH4 test or other high grade ammonia detection kit that measures NH3 and NH4.  Do not adjust water parameters or add water for several days.  If you must adjust water parameters, do so slowly.  Water should only be added if it has been allowed to rest after 24 hours once treated with dechlorinator.Results at 6 days:Tank 1:  Barely detectable amount of ammonia reduction, zero nitrites, zero nitrates.Tank 2:  Some reduction in ammonia, zero nitrites, ~20PPM nitrates.Tank 3:  .50 PPM Ammonia, zero nitrites, 50 PPM nitratesTank 3 has had one water change already, and is ready for the second due to rising nitrates.  It is processing enough ammonia at this point to equal ~11 inches worth of fish.  Ammonia has been added to this tank daily to sustain the cycle, as fish were never going to be introduced.  I will be adding fish to this tank however, and reducing ammonium chloride dosing.  Decided to keep this tank.Myth 1:  There are many posts on the Internet about fish-less cycling.  Many of which suggest the use of off-the-shelf ammonia that you find in your local grocery or hardware stores.  While some of these sources might be safe, most are not.  The ammonium chloride is cheap, and will cycle many, many tanks.  Consumers are generally unaware of the fact that not all ingredients need to be listed on products not intended for human consumption.  Therefore, they see water and ammonia listed on a label and assume there is no surfactant in the off-the-shelf product.  This is simply not the case.  Most of these products do in fact contain other ingredients that are not safe for fish, and will destroy the bacteria needed for the aquarium cycle.  This can be seen in one of the other reviews.  The result was, the tank did not cycle as anticipated.  If you want good results and have gone to the expense of purchasing a bacterial additive, spend the extra couple of dollars and get a pure source of ammonia.Myth 2:  Some postings on the Internet suggest that these products use terrestrial strains of bacteria.  All nitrifying  bacteria need soil or other surface.  Therefore, all can be considered terrestrial.  They are commonly found on the bottom of lakes and streams. Our filters and substrate mimic this environment.  While evidence in my experiment suggests that not all products are created equal, some products do work -- and work exceptionally well.Myth 3:  The cycle will crash because it isn't the right bacteria.  Fact:  If the bacteria were unable to sustain, we would not see the substantial growth noted in tank 3.  In order for the ammonia to be processes and nitrite to nitrate, a large colony has to exist.  Once these bacteria undergo binary fission (how they multiply), there is no logical argument that would support this cycle failing.  If you have an environment where they will multiply, that will continue until there is no food source.  Any crashing would be the result of that food source not being adequate for the colony.  Another possible source of crashing, high nitrates (more than 50-75 PPM) as this will kill the bacteria.  It is also possible that once the cycle begins to establish, that the consumer adds too many fish before the colony is large enough to sustain.If you opt for fish-less cycling, use a pure source of ammonia (ammonium chloride).  If you opt for fish-in, make sure you do not use an ammonia binding product to dechlorinate the water.  Let the water rest for a full 24 hours before you add fish and the product.  You may test for ammonia/nitrite/nitrate -- but only adjust your parameters if the results show >2.0PPM Ammonia or >50PPM Nitrate.  Other than that, leave it alone for at least a week.  If you do need to reduce any of the parameters via a water change (25%), fill your bucket the day before and add your standard dechlorinator to the water and let it rest for a complete 24 hours before adding to the tank.  Keep your filters wet at all times (bacteria will die).I consider this product a 5-star purchase.  If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5.0 out of 5 stars







  
  
    As advertised
  

*by R***. on Reviewed in the United States on December 6, 2024*

As advertised

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5.0 out of 5 stars







  
  
    Great product
  

*by S***T on Reviewed in the United States on September 29, 2024*

To everyone purchasing this and saying it doesn’t work, it does work. It’s not an overnight thing. It took me at least a few weeks to begin getting nitrite. Ammonia is turned into nitrite in one day now. Waiting on nitrates to take care of nitrites now.

## Frequently Bought Together

- DrTim's Aquatics First Defense for Freshwater Aquariums – Stress Relief & Immune System Support with Vitamins Immunostimulants Fish Tanks 16oz.
- ONE AND ONLY FRESHWATER 8OZ

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*Product available on Desertcart Netherlands*
*Store origin: NL*
*Last updated: 2026-03-09*