Mini-cycle: will biospira help?

[squirrelrabbits]

I'm heading off to vacation tomorrow but I had an unexpected problem this week with my tanks: my power went out for a day, and some of them are experiencing a mini-cycle (nitrite spikes). My local LFS carries bio-spira, and I am wondering if adding some might help halt the mini-cycle and re-establish each tank. If so, would I add the entire amount recommended for tank start-up, or cut the dose?

I wouldn't be so cocnerned about it, but since I am going on vacation for several weeks, I will be unable to monitor tank conditions in any way. Any advice?

 

[fishwatcher]

One small pack of bio spira treats up to 30 gals, so depending on what size tank they are, you can divide it up. I would recommend it, as I did it myself. I was home to test it daily to see how it was doing, and the nitrite spikes never got above 1 ppm. The BioSpira seems to cycle the tank without causing large spikes. The fish were all perfectly fine, where as they were acting a little stressed before I added it. Just do a good water change/vac before you add it to the tanks, esp if you're going to be gone for several weeks.
Good luck, and have a happy vacation!

 

[squirrelrabbits]

Thanks for your reply fishwatcher. Did you use one pack per 30 gallons or did you use less? I have several tanks (the largest in 75 gallons) so I am wondering if half-doses would work...

 

[kimbowee]

I had 2 10 gal tanks and just used 1 packet between the both of them & it worked fine in both tanks. Nitrites were gone in about 4 days completely from both tanks. My nitrites were at 5, which was quite high before I added it. Hope it helps!

 

[fishwatcher]

Same here... used half in 1 10-gal tank, half in the other. Worked great!
Good luck!