Stress Zyme

[DaveW]

I've used Stress Zyme in my tank that is in day 5 of cycling. It says that in contains live bacteria for a boilogical filter. How will it affect the cycling of the tank?

 

[glolite]

Depends which one it is. Apparently, the only one that works is the make which is kept refridgerated to preserve the live beneficial bacteria which then 'seeds' your filter which then gets into the substrate. Beneficial bacteria uses up ammonia and nitrItes which are then converted to nitrAtes which are used up, in part, by plants. If you want to know more, read the fishless cycling thread in the beginners pinned section. Tells you all you need to know.

 

[Sky042]

When did you use it?
Odds are it's done nothing and your cycle is still going just fine.

 

[DaveW]

I put some in on monday when I set the tank up and a little more on thursday. I'm using just a bit of flake each day instead of ammonia. Test results last night are Ammonia 0.4, Nitrit0.1 and nitrat 5. Looks OK!??

 

[Sky042]

You're going to need more ammonia production.
Your stats are low and with them being that low you're not going to develop much of a bacteria bed.

 

[DaveW]

Can I start to add pure ammonia now?

 

[tttnjfttt]

go for it. It is also alot faster this way than using fishy flakes.

 

[DaveW]

I think it's a trip to the shop.
As I have ammonia started I only need a little to bring it up to 5ppm, Right?
Cheers

 

[DaveW]

Well, I've been to domestic home shop, DIY store and a garden centre but the only ammonia I could see was "sulphate of ammonia" which is plant food.
Does anyone in the UK know where I can buy pure ammonia?

 

[shemesh]

I think I read on another post that Homebase have pure amonia. Try searching the forum and see what comes up?

 

[DaveW]

I tried Homebase first because of that tread. I haven't tried a search yet, I'll do that now.

 

[DaveW]

It was Homebase And Robert Dyas. It's called Jeyes Kleen Off, and I probably walked right passed it. To late for me now, and will not be able to get any until the weekend.

 

[paulthegreat]

Never used ammonia never will! If you have a source of benificial bacteria you can add fish after one day(gravel or filter squeezings from an established tank). I have never had a problem with nitrites or ammonia and the weekly 20-40% water change keeps the nitrates in check. I use Tetra Bactozym tablets but understand that they are not availble in all areas. I have also heard of a product called pearls but never seen them.

 

[DaveW]

Paulthegreat: How long do you leave a tank without fish (when you first set it up).

 

[bunjiweb]

I have always used fish to cycle and have NEVER had a fish die during the cycle.

I do this if i can't seed a tank with sponge or gravel from another tank:

Fill up tank with water and turn on filter and heater. Leave for 3-5 days. Add a platy or a danio. Leave for 2 - 3 weeks as a "safety" barrier" to make sure there are no problems that will creep on after a week or two. After this time the readings should be spot on and ready to add more fish.

Using Stress Zyme is pointless, it contains NO benneficial bacteria and shouldnt be used in my opinion. We have even taken to ripping it out of the Bi-Orb kits we sell at work because its so utterly pointless and leads people to believe they can add fish quickly and use some "magic chemical" to make sure their fish are all right.

Use as little chemicals as possible in your tank and remember if you DO want to use pure ammonia for a fishless cycle add TINY ammounts regularly, dont just add an ammount and expect your tank to cycle...

Ben