Cycling with Bio-Spira: how long until readings?

[JohnPaul]

As I posted on another thread a few days ago, I just set up a 29 [acronym:f9717f6fab="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:f9717f6fab] tank, attempting to cycle it. Added the Bio-Spira pack and 7 zebra danios and 3 cory cats. It's been 3 full days now, the last two the water has been cloudy (the expected, and desired, bacterial "bloom" from the Bio-Spira, I hope)...but I am diligently testing the water every day (brand new test kit with the chemical you drop into test tubes) and my readings for ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate are all still zero.

I have seen claims on some websites that Bio-Spira should cycle the tank in "1-4 days." Should I be worried that I am not detecting the slightest bit of nitrate over 3 days into this? The kit supposedly can test (i.e. first color change on the card) ammonia and nitrite down to 0.25 [acronym:f9717f6fab="Parts per Million"]ppm[/acronym:f9717f6fab] and nitrate down to 5 [acronym:f9717f6fab="Parts per Million"]ppm[/acronym:f9717f6fab], and in all three tests the color is not even close to those marks.

If I am "ok" for now, it would be reassuring to know it. Since I have heard that sometimes Bio-Spira doesn't work, I would also like to know what warning signs to look out for.

And if anyone else has used Bio-Spira in a 29 [acronym:f9717f6fab="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:f9717f6fab] with a similar load of fish and could share what it was like for them, that would be helpful!

Thanks!

[FancyGuppyGuy]

keep testing you might be one of lucky ones who got a reall good batch

If you start showing ammonia going up feed lightly. If the ammonia still keeps going up then I would start thinking about the Bio-Spira being bad. The Bio-Spira is supposed to be able to take a load right off the bat. It will probaby take longer than 3 days to get reading from Nitrate as it builds up slowly.

Also make sure your test kits are working correctly.

[sharkbait]

I offer my results for comparison.

I started a fishless cycle in my 75gal on sunday uing Bio Spira and ammonia. I had nitrite readings within 24 hours. I'm sure my initial ammonia counts were much higher, which definitely helps my readings. Four days into the cycle, my nitrites are almost at the highest level my kit can test. Hopefully in a few more days it will start to drop as the cycle nears completion.

[gfink]

[acronym:eadd499f1c="For your info"]FYI[/acronym:eadd499f1c], it takes a while for the nitrate to show up. Think about it, you are capable of measing 0.25 [acronym:eadd499f1c="Parts per Million"]ppm[/acronym:eadd499f1c] of ammonia with the test kit because it is toxic to fish and important to keep low. Think how much more 5 [acronym:eadd499f1c="Parts per Million"]ppm[/acronym:eadd499f1c] of nitrates is. That is 20 times the concentration. It take a while for nitrates to build up to a level that the nitrate test will detect.

[MoxieGrrrl]

I used Bio-Spira myself and had zero readings for a long while. I'm still not totally sure it worked, because my first batch of fish died, but I believe the fish were ill when I got them, so I can't blame Bio-Spira. Good luck!