In the world of aquariums, Seachem Pristine and Stability are very familiar names. But it is really easy to get confused when it comes to using these products. Both Seachem Pristine and Stability have two different purposes.
So, between Seachem Pristine vs Stability, which one do you need?
Seachem Pristine clears out the cloudy water in the aquarium. It does so by breaking down the small debris and bacterias. Whereas, stability helps prevent the new tank syndrome for fish. It stabilizes the natural water properties of clean water.
Now, there are more differences when it comes to usage, dosage and much more. In this article, we will cover all the grounds so that you have a clear idea.
So, let’s begin.
Mythbusting : Seachem Pristine and Stability Aren’t the Same Thing
As we said earlier, Seachem Pristine and Stability aren’t the same. Because both products have different purposes.
Moreover, they work differently as well. So before we get to the main comparison, you should know more about these products.
What Does Seachem Pristine Do?
Seachem Pristine is a non-chemical natural mixture that increases water clarity. It breaks down the small debris such as excess food, food waste and wastes in your aquarium. This removes the cloudy atmosphere in the water tank and makes it look brand new.
What Does Seachem Stability Do?
Seachem Stability helps with stabilizing the water properties. It contains the aerobic, anaerobic, and facultative bacteria. This keeps the ammonia, nitrate and nitrite levels under control by breaking down the excess. Seachem Stability also creates the necessary bacterias that help with growth.
So, naturally, you may ask, does stability have nitrifying bacteria?
Yes, Stability does have nitrifying bacteria. Along with a mixture of four different species of bacteria. And one of the main purposes of these bacterias is to reduce nitrogenous waste.
Main Comparisons Between Seachem Pristine vs Stability
Here is a brief summary of what we will discuss in this article.
| Seachem Pristine | Seachem Stability | |
| Usage | Improves water clarity | Stabilizes water balance |
| Dosage | 5 mL / 20 gallons | 5 mL / 20 gallons |
| Result | Noticeable After 3 days | Noticeable after 7 days |
| Longevity | Bottle Size: 500 ml water Volume: 20 Gallons Longevity: 100 weeks | Bottle Size: 500 ml water Volume: 20 Gallons Longevity: 100 weeks |
| Price | Check Price | Check Price |
Usage
We already mentioned earlier what Seachem Pristine and Stability is. One thing we should mention now, both Pristine and Stability are safe to use in any aquarium. Whether it is freshwater or saltwater, both products are safe to use.
Now, let’s talk more about the usage.
When to Use Seachem Pristine
If you already have a running aquarium for some time, you may find the water a bit cloudy. The reason is that excess food, debris, and wastes have been stored up over time. This also can happen if you use grape wood in your aquarium.
This ruins the clarity of the water and it is completely normal. Just adding a few drops of Pristine will definitely clear it up in a couple of days.
Here are a few indicators of when to use Seachem Pristine:
- If the aquarium water looks cloudy
- If the water looks a bit bluish or greenish
How to Use Seachem Pristine
Now, let us talk about how to use Seachem Pristine. First of all, give the bottle a good shake. Don’t forget to turn off the UV light before adding the liquid. You can add it through the biofilters or directly just drop it in the tank.
And it’s done. Pretty plain and simple right? You might be wondering about the dosage. So, we have prepared a different section to explain that.
When to use Seachem Stability
Whether you get a new tank or change the water. There is always a fear of your fish dying. This is called the new tank syndrome. Fish can not adjust quickly to the new water. Because its body is more used to the old water properties.
So, we need to stabilize the water properties so that the fish don’t die. Seachem Stability has the ingredients to stabilize the nitrogen cycle and ammonia level of new clean water.
You can also use Seachem when you are adding new fish to the family. It helps the fish to
Here’s a list to help you to understand the uses of Seachem Stability :
- When starting a new aquarium
- Adding new fishes to your aquarium
- Preventative maintenance or water change
- When medicating your aquarium
How to Use Seachem Stability
It is time to know about how to use Seachem Stability. Again, you better shake the bottle before opening up the cap. Also, don’t forget to turn off the UV lights. It is recommended that you add Stability to the water first. Then, let the mixture set in for a few hours before adding the water to the tank. Afterward, you can add Stability directly to the water through the filters.
Dosage
Whether you are using Seachem Pristine or Stability, the dosage rates are the same.
However, when it comes to dosage, you need to remember this. There are two types of dose,
1) The Initial Dose: When you are adding the liquid for the very first time.
2) The Maintenance Dose: When you are adding the liquid on a regular basis.
Let’s say you have an 80 liters or 20 gallons water tank. Then for the very first time, you should add 2 capfuls (10 mL) to the water. Afterward, you should add 1 capful (5 mL) to your 20 gallons tank for a maintenance dose.
We have decided to gather all the information from Seachem.zendesk.com and put it all together.
Here’s the dosage chart for that you can follow :
Initial Dosage rate for Seachem Pristine and Stability
| Volume / Dose | Dose in mL | Dose in Capfuls | Dose in Drops |
| 1 quart (1L) | 0.125 mL | 1/8 Capful | 2.5 Drops |
| 1 gallon (4L) | 0.50 mL | 1/20 Capful | 10 Drops |
| 5 gallons (20L) | 2.5 mL | 1/2 Capful | 50 Drops |
| 10 gallons (40L) | 5 mL | 1 Capful | 100 Drops |
| 20 gallons (80L) | 10 mL | 2 Capfuls | 200 Drops |
| 40 gallons (160L) | 12.5 mL | 1.25 Capfuls | 250 Drops |
| 50 gallons (200L) | 25 mL | 5 Capfuls | 500 Drops |
Maintenance Dosage rate for Seachem Pristine and Stability
| Volume / Dose | Dose in mL | Dose in Capfuls | Dose in Drops |
| 1 quart (1L) | 0.0625 mL | 1/80 Capful | 1.25 Drops |
| 1 gallon (4L) | 0.25 mL | 1/40 Capful | 5 Drops |
| 5 gallons (20L) | 1.25 mL | 1/4 Capful | 25 Drops |
| 10 gallons (40L) | 2.5 mL | 1/2 Capful | 50 Drops |
| 20 gallons (80L) | 5 mL | 1 Capful | 100 Drops |
| 40 gallons (160L) | 10 mL | 2 Capfuls | 200 Drops |
| 50 gallons (200L) | 12.5 mL | 2.5 Capfuls | 250 Drops |
One thing you should remember :
You need to use Seachem Pristine and Stability regularly for a week. After adding it for the first time, follow the maintenance chart for reference. If you are adding new fish to the tank, then it is recommended to continue with the maintenance dose.
Result
After all that we have discussed so far, your next question may be :
How fast does Seachem Pristine work?
After giving the Seachem Pristine initial dose, you will see the result within 4 days. Continuing with the maintenance dose that was mentioned earlier, the cloudiness will eventually disappear.
It is difficult to notice the debris in an image. But you should notice the difference between day and day 4. On day 1, the water looked slightly yellowish as the wastes were accumulating. By the end of day 4, the water is clear as daylight.
On the other side, Seachem Stability will also give you satisfying results. You will notice that your fish will adjust to the water tank pretty easily. The biggest indicator is your fish not getting sick or dying. If you have higher ammonia or nitrogen in your water tank, Seachem Stability will take care of it.
Longevity
Now, you may be wondering, how long does Seachem Pristine last?
If you have a 10 gallons (40 L) water tank, then 500 mL Seachem Pristine will give you around 50 weeks of service. Meaning, if you distribute the solution 2 weeks per month, then it will last about 2 years. It also comes with a shelf-life of 4 years.
Now, don’t get distracted by numbers. We don’t use Pristine everyday throughout the month. This chart shows the number of weeks it can be used. Depending on the frequency of your usage, it will last longer.
We already showed you the dosage chart before. Based on that, here is a chart that will tell you how long your Seachem pristine will last.
| Water Volume | Dosage (mL) | Number of Times Used Per Week | How Long It Will Last (Week) |
| 5 gallons (20L) | 1.25 mL | 4 | 100 |
| 10 gallons (40L) | 2.5 mL | 4 | 50 |
| 20 gallons (80L) | 5 mL | 4 | 25 |
| 40 gallons (160L) | 10 mL | 4 | 12.5 |
| 50 gallons (200L) | 12.5 mL | 4 | 10 |
Chart: Seachem Pristine
So, does Seachem Stability last the same?
A 500 mL Seachem Stability can last up to 60 weeks on a 5 gallons water tank. Then again, it depends on the frequency of your usage. Everytime you change the water or introduce new fish to your tank, you need to use Stability.
You may argue that we change a bit of water every week. That doesn’t mean you have to add Seachem Stability every week. Using 500 mL Seachem Stability 2 weeks a month can help you sustain for approximately a year and a half.
Price
Right now, a 500 mL Seachem Pristine will cost you between $15.00 to $16.00. You can also get a smaller version which is 250 mL Seachem Pristine . That comes with a cost somewhere around $12, give or take.
We always recommend getting the 500 mL Seachem Pristine because it is better cost for value. It will last twice as long at a relatively cheaper cost. Paying almost $12 for 250 mL does not sound reasonable at all.
The price tag on Seachem Stability is relatively similar to the Seachem Pristine. A 500 mL Seachem Stability will cost you around $15 to $16. A 250 mL version will cost approximately $10.
So, Which One Should You Get?
You should get both of them. Seachem Pristine is good at keeping your water tank clean. Whereas, Seachem Stability is responsible to keep the water balance in check. Both Pristine and stability play two different roles. You may be curious, Can I Use Seachem Pristine and Stability together?
Yes, you definitely can use Seachem Pristine and Stability together. While Pristine breaks down the wastes, stability stabilizes the water for fish. Both Pristine and Stability are made of different ingredients and properties. But they are coherent and can work well together.
FAQs
Can you overdose seachem pristine?
You can never overdose on Seachem Pristine. Because Seachem Pristine primarily breaks down the waste and excess food. If there is none, it usually gets mixed with the water. The ingredients of Seachem Pristine don’t change the water balance at all. Worst case scenario, your water may become a little cloudy. But that will eventually disappear.
How long does it take to cycle with seachem stability?
Usually it takes the aquarium a week to cycle with Seachem Stability. However, you can keep adding the maintenance dose upto 2 – 3 weeks. The prolonged dosage will not affect the fish as long as you follow the maintenance dose schedule.
Is seachem stability good for saltwater?
Yes, Seachem stability is good for both saltwater and freshwater. Stability is also made in such a way that it doesn’t affect saltwater marine life.The ingredients can solely affect the nitrogen and ammonia level of any type of water.
Can Pristine be used instead of Stability?
No, you can not use pristine instead of stability. Because both Pristine and Stability have two different purposes. Pristine breaks down the excess waste. Whereas, Stability mainly balances the nitrogen cycle and ammonia level of the water.
Conclusion
Congratulations, now you are one step ahead of the game. We hope we were able to clear out the confusion and answer your questions. Again, it is important to ask yourself the purpose for your purchase. If you are looking for something to keep the tanks clean, then go for the Seachem Pristine. However, if you need something to keep the fish safe, then Seachem Stability is a must.
Lastly, if you have any further queries on Seachem Pristine vs Stability, let us know.
Till then, take care.