Follow-up on my cycling / Bio Spira problem

[twestrope]

I had posted a few days ago about starting my new tank with a full load of fish and Bio Spira but am now seeing bacteria hovering around 1 [acronym:e2c71ea189="Parts per Million"]ppm[/acronym:e2c71ea189]. I did a 25 % [acronym:e2c71ea189="Partial water change"]pwc[/acronym:e2c71ea189] on Monday and as of late Tuesday the ammonia was back up to 1 again and no nitrites. I called around to several other LFC's (in Denver) and no one carries Bio Spira.

A friend of mine has a salt and freshwater tank. She uses a tank service so I asked her to ask them if they had any Bio Spira. They don't but they suggested that she give me a gallon of her freshwater from her tank and that it would accomplish the same thing as Bio Spira. I have heard of squeezing the filters from other aquariums but will just taking a gallon of other cycled water help or at least shorten my cycle. I am assuming also her water is disease free.

[rich311k]

Water does not contain bacteria. Ask if she will give you some filter media.

[talloulou]

I agree, I don't think the water would benefit much if at all. Some filter media or even gravel would work. Or even a tank decoration.

[id10t]

I've used a tank decoration and filter media with no problems. You don't need a lot - the bacteria colonies can double in size in just over a day, assuming the chemical levels are correct (food for 'em) and there is media for them to live on.

[tecwzrd]

I’ve always had a mini cycle lasting a week or two using Bio Spira. It speeds it up but won’t eliminate it completely. Also they make Bio Spira for [acronym:aacdfd5531="Freshwater"]FW[/acronym:aacdfd5531] & [acronym:aacdfd5531="Saltwater"]SW[/acronym:aacdfd5531], are you sure you used the right kind?

The water itself has very little bacteria in it and 1 [acronym:aacdfd5531="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:aacdfd5531] would be insufficient to make any noticeable gains in bacteria growth. Better to get a used filter pad. Doing the [acronym:aacdfd5531="Partial water change"]pwc[/acronym:aacdfd5531] will also possibly prolong the cycle but is necessary for the health of the fish.

Personally I would get a cheap 10-20 [acronym:aacdfd5531="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:aacdfd5531] Rubbermaid (about $5) & a [acronym:aacdfd5531="power head or Measure of the concentration of hydrogen ions, depending on context"]PH[/acronym:aacdfd5531], put the fish in that & do 25% [acronym:aacdfd5531="Partial water change"]pwc[/acronym:aacdfd5531] every other day to keep them healthy and let your main tank fully cycle with no [acronym:aacdfd5531="Partial water change"]pwc[/acronym:aacdfd5531].