Cycling....

[andywg]

Any views on bactinettes andy? From their own literature it still looks like you get a small nitrite spike which can't be good.

Do you know how the two differ and what the bio-spira advantage is? Is Bio-Spira still just in the states?

Cheers
Squid

Bactinettes is a cross between new and old technology. They seem to be trying to preserve the bacteria, but (according to their literature) use Nitrosomonas (to oxidise ammonia) and Nitrobacter (ostensibly to oxidise nitrite). Research by Hovanec et al into the actual bacteria present in an established aquarium revealed that Nitrobacter is barely present, if at all. The nitrite oxidisation is handled by Nitrospira bacteria (hence the Bio-Spira name).

Bactinettes contains the wrong bacteria to stock instantly due to your accurate observation of nitrite spikes. It will certainly help speed a cycle up, or deal with an ammonia problem. It's better than most, but not as good as Bio-Spira.

As to the claim by Bactinettes that their product can be used on SW as well as FW, of that I am sceptical. If that is so then we are paying for only half an effective product as different strains of bacteria operate at different salinities (the reason to raise the salinity of a brackish tank gently is not for the fish, but for the filter). To work in both FW and SW the product would need two types of bacteria. I am not sure of the exact bacteria or the research, but seem to recall that different genera of bacteria altogether may do the job in SW aquaria.

I have not seen Bio-Spira for sale over here. I would guess shipping would make it somewhat costly.

 

[Squid]

Thanks andy, thats good info. i guess shipping may have an impact on the conditions required to maintain the effectiveness of bio-spira too.

Luckily I have a mature filter of a couple of years to help me with any new tanks now, but if you were new to the hobby and in the UK, what would you do if not a fishless cycle? Would you just use a sensible selection of fish for slow introduction, or would you endevour to find a willing bacteria donor with a mature filter? (i'm not asking this to challenge yor approach as your experience far outweighs my own, i'm just curious and not a fishless-cycle bible basher- no offence to the religous out there, but you get my drift )

Cheers
Mike

 

[andywg]

I would either start with hardy fish or get a donation. Not too long ago I donated some old filter media I had to a newer member of the forum.

I got one tank up and running by blundering through it, and every other FW tank I have had has been cloned (directly or indirectly) from that one tank.

 

[edgelgil]

If the fishless cycle is for getting your tanks up and running faster.......then it also works at a quicker pace if you get water from another tank to start a new tank. I have always taken water from an already established environment to start a new tank. I try to use the same filter systems and swap out one element on the new tank with one from my established platform. It doesn't hurt the existing tank and is beneficial to the new tank.
You can also take some of the substrate media to even push the new tank faster into the first hard cycle. I do this with Marine tanks all the time. Seeded tanks are very good to share, especially with live corral. The same goes with fresh water tanks.
Good luck......8>)

Maximo

 

[Imber]

If you're still interested in getting the ammonia, I've heard that the Ace Hardware janitorial strength is good for cycling. I haven't used it because I don't have an ace in town and haven't gotten out to anywhere that does, but I have seen it recommended in several different places for cycling.

 

[bordercollie05]

So, I decided to try BioSpira. Since my lfs stressed to get it home quick, I assumed that would be a good sign that they knew how to handle it. So far, everything looks good.

I added the BioSpira yesterday with one angelfish (I know, not the best fish to use, but I had it already being held in my 10 gallon). When I added it there was no ammonia, but I didn't check nitrites/ates. About 5 hours later I checked everything and there was still no ammonia and 2ppm Nitrite, 10ppm Nitrate. Today (24hrs later) the stats are the same. It seems to be working okay. It is my understanding that biospira simply 'speeds up' a cycle with fish.

I'm wondering when I should add more fish? Do you think its too early to do it tomorrow? Should I wait until all the nitrites drop? Also, do you think I should do a water change? (My tap water has 1ppm of ammonia...this shouldn't matter though if the bacteria are working right?)

 

[Will91]

Are there any nitrites in your tap water? You might want to check.

Also, the nitrite and nitrate check, if done with liquid chemical test such as API, must be done carefully (pre-shake indicator bottles, invert the test tube several times, let sit a specified time, etc.) You might want to check it again and follow directions to the letter.

BioSpira can be used immediately with an immediate light stocking. You definitely want an ammonia source for the BioSpira to live so I would be inclined to add a few more fish at this time. When I started my tank, I used BioSpira and started with a few zebra danios. I never even saw an ammonia or nitrite spike but just the gradual rise in nitrates before I did the first water change.

I'm glad you are giving the BioSpira a try. Remember you can also contact the MarineLand 800 number.

Good luck.

 

[bordercollie05]

Are there any nitrites in your tap water? You might want to check.

Also, the nitrite and nitrate check, if done with liquid chemical test such as API, must be done carefully (pre-shake indicator bottles, invert the test tube several times, let sit a specified time, etc.) You might want to check it again and follow directions to the letter.

BioSpira can be used immediately with an immediate light stocking. You definitely want an ammonia source for the BioSpira to live so I would be inclined to add a few more fish at this time. When I started my tank, I used BioSpira and started with a few zebra danios. I never even saw an ammonia or nitrite spike but just the gradual rise in nitrates before I did the first water change.

I'm glad you are giving the BioSpira a try. Remember you can also contact the MarineLand 800 number.

Good luck.

Checked the tap water today, no nitrites.

I also tested again today and got Nitrites at 2 and Nitrates at 5.

I'm going out of town for the weekend, so more fish will have to wait until next week. Hopefully it'll be okay.

Thanks for taking interest in my little project