Question about "Cycle" (product)

[juliethegr8t]

Well since my tank is going through its cycle (hehe), and my levels of nitrite and ammonia were getting pretty high, I decided to go buy some Cycle, since I've heard some really good things about it. Anyway - I'm basically curious to know how long since adding this product I will be able to notice a difference in my levels. I already have noticed one in my ammonia levels, since it is now at 0, and I'm not really sure about the nitrites - it looks about the same, maybe a little better. My tank is a 10 gallon and the pH is at 7.4. Anybody had any experience with this product and know how long it will take? I just added it yesterday - 2 capfuls, and I'm just curious . Thanks!

 

[wuvmybetta]

I've used cycle & was really impressed at how quickly it worked
I'd say give it a couple of days and your nitrites will be down too

 

[impur]

I used this when i started my 55 gal. But i also used some filter media and gravel from a 10 gal. I never had any ammonia or nitrite readings. I have heard this products uses some of the wrong types of bacteria and of the ones that are the right types, they are all dead. The only product i have seen work and also never read a negative thing about is bio spira. How long was your tank running before you added the Cycle?

 

[Tanked]

I would recomend bio-spira over cycle. it costs a bit more but I have had much better results with it than cycle. bio-spira needs to be kept refrigerated too.

 

[juliethegr8t]

Alright thanks guys, if my nitrite's don't go down soon, I'll check out that other product. My tank has been running for um..... probably almost a month, so I may be near to completing my cycle, lets hope! No more fishies have died, and they all actually seem to be doing really well now, so I'm happy.

 

[Tanked]

glad to hear that they are doing better!!!

 

[juliethegr8t]

Another question - sorry lol. About this other product, bio spira, how pricey is it exactly? I think there is a LFS that may carry it, but I can't find their phone number anywhere and I don't want to drive down there if they don't have it, or if I can't afford it hehe. Can you give me a price range or what you paid? That would be greatly appreciated, thanks.

 

[impur]

Its kept refrigerated. I think it was gonna be 19.99 for my 55 gal tank. If i remember correctly that was the smallest container my lfs had.

 

[Thief_Catcher]

I haven't had much luck with Cycle. Its been 30 days since I started using it and my nitrates are still at 160ppm. Ammonia has zeroed out though.

 

[YngUrbanCMH]

I used cycle in my tank and let it sit a couple of days before adding any fish... I haven't had any detectible ammonia and my nitrites haven't gone above .25ppm... but it's only been a week so far... I also have live plants, I've heard they can help keep ammonia levels down as well.

Is there any chance these products interfere with a natural permanent bacteria colony from forming?

 

[Tanked]

I didn't pay for mine, it was a gift from a freind when I set my 55 up.

 

[impur]

Is there any chance these products interfere with a natural permanent bacteria colony from forming?

I highly doubt it. The product probably wouldn't be on the market still if that were the case. As I said, I added cycle to my tank as well as some media from a established tank, and I have seen no ill effects.