Follow-up on my cycling / Bio Spira problem

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twestrope

Aquarium Advice Newbie
Joined
Oct 11, 2005
Messages
9
Location
Denver
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 ppm. I did a 25 % pwc 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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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 FW & SW, are you sure you used the right kind?

The water itself has very little bacteria in it and 1 gal would be insufficient to make any noticeable gains in bacteria growth. Better to get a used filter pad. Doing the pwc will also possibly prolong the cycle but is necessary for the health of the fish.

Personally I would get a cheap 10-20 gal Rubbermaid (about $5) & a PH, put the fish in that & do 25% pwc every other day to keep them healthy and let your main tank fully cycle with no pwc.
 
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