Bio media enhancer in fishless cycling

[verochloeedgar]

Hi! I am starting my fishless cycling today and I bought some fluval cycling bacteria to add to start the cycle but I heard that it is a different type of bacteria and therefore better not to use it. I added 5ml before knowing this. I haven't added any ammonia yet. Would cause my cycle not to be successful or crash? Should I do a water change and clean the filters and start over? Or can I carry on and start adding ammonia now? I just want to know if someone has experience with these liquid bacteria products.
Thank you!

 

[jfhrtn]

I used Seachem Stability and API Quickstart in mine while establishing the cycle. Also I'm adding Dr Tim's Ammonium Chloride up to 3-4ppm to feed the bacteria while they are growing. My photo period is 6hrs/day. The cycle is coming along fairly decently given today is only the 30th day. I think you should be fine with the Fluval bacteria. I started adding ammonia 24 hrs after I added bacteria. Someone correct me if I'm wrong on anything. Also you got a pic of the bottle you have?

 

[verochloeedgar]

Yes I have a picture. I was planning to add 4ppm ammonia tomorrow and then carry on as suggested in some articles adding 1ppm when the ammonia comes down initially. I read on a review of these product that the bacteria in it actually compete with the more "natural" better bacteria you intend to grow so I wasn't sure if the cycle would work this way. I will try and see what happens! Thank you!

 

[verochloeedgar]

Sorry it doesn't let me put the picture!

 

[jfhrtn]

No problem at all. So far so good with my experience with bacteria in a bottle. Still thinking I got another 2-4 weeks left in my cycle. Do you have some test strips or a master test kit to keep an eye on the parameters? I haven't heard a too much on the bacteria competing with the natural bacteria but hopefully someone will chime in on that subject. No worries on the pic though

 

[verochloeedgar]

No problem at all. So far so good with my experience with bacteria in a bottle. Still thinking I got another 2-4 weeks left in my cycle. Do you have some test strips or a master test kit to keep an eye on the parameters? I haven't heard a too much on the bacteria competing with the natural bacteria but hopefully someone will chime in on that subject. No worries on the pic though

Yes I have an API freshwater test kit [emoji851] my tap water and dechlorinated water tested 7.4 ph, 0 ammonia and nitrites and 5 ppm nitrates. So it seems a good starting point.
Thank you!

 

[jfhrtn]

No problem. Post back up if you have any other questions or run into a snag. Glad you got a kit to test with. Seems like a good starting point indeed