Bio-Spira or bio-zyme products?

[Chriznat20]

How does the forum feel about using bio-spira or bio-zyme on a new aquarium?

Or for that matter, any kind of enzyme or bacterial based 'aquarium bacteria starter'?

[dkpate]

I used Bio-Zyme to cycle one of my tanks, and it was done in a week.

[DragonFish71]

For starting a cycle I have no problems using those kinds of things, but for regular maintenance I'm against them. I tried using the tetra safe start crap with water changes like it said you could, we almost lost everything in our 55g and we did lose everything in our 20g. It put both tanks back into cycles. It took me almost 3 weeks of water changes to get the tanks stable again.

[dkpate]

Yeah, I just used it to get the cycle done, and then after I put the fish in, I never used it again.

[WhiteDevil]

I used a product called MICROBE-LIFT NITE-OUT II for my 40g cycle, it was about day 6 when it was done and had delicate fish in there.

[Chriznat20]

I just got home from my LFS, and bought some Nutrafin "Cycle", and 4 zebra danios. I also got a KILLER deal on API nitrate test kits - they were on clearance.

Im going to follow the directions on the "cycle" product and see how it goes... updates to come ?

[WhiteDevil]

cycle isnt bad, it does its job and is one of the more popular boosters.

[Chriznat20]

Originally Posted by WhiteDevil

cycle isnt bad, it does its job and is one of the more popular boosters.

Thanks for the reassurance!! I just about drove the poor girl at my LFS crazy asking her opinions and recommendations of all the different products...lol... I think she was about to boot me out of the store!

[meegosh]

I bought "Cycle" about 4 years ago and it didn't do a thing. I stopped dosing it after I found this wonderful site. YMMV.

[Chriznat20]

Originally Posted by meegosh

I bought "Cycle" about 4 years ago and it didn't do a thing. I stopped dosing it after I found this wonderful site. YMMV.

Well arent we just a Debbie (or Donald) Downer?! :p

Im going to give it a shot. I read more positive reviews than negative (although to be fair there are a decent # of negative reviews out there) out on the web and on here. Really dont have anything to lose and $7 isnt a bank breaker.

[meegosh]

Not trying to be a downer, just trying to save you $7. I figured since I tried the same product you mentioned I would post my experience with it. That is also why I added YMMV(your mileage may vary).

You can use it, just be ready to test your water (with a good liquid test kit) and do the water changes needed, according to your test results.

[dkpate]

Yeah, you are going to need more than just the nitrite test too. I would say the ammonia test is probably the most important, then the nitrite. You will also need to be able to test the nitrates and pH.

[Chriznat20]

Originally Posted by dkpate

Yeah, you are going to need more than just the nitrite test too. I would say the ammonia test is probably the most important, then the nitrite. You will also need to be able to test the nitrates and pH.

Oh, Im sorry I thought I stated earlier that I have the API master kit. This isnt my first tank either - I sold my 55g FW setup about a year ago. I had it since 2002 and miss(ed) it a ton.

The master kit I have from API I bought about 8 years ago, although Ive replaced the test solution a few times, it does not include a test for nitrAtes, so when i found that on clearance at Petco I was pretty stoked

[spoonman]

I use a filter that has run on an established tank for a few weeks. I avoid the cycle altogether. If you cant do that find a friend and run the filter on their tank for a couple weeks. Of course this works better when you have 5 tanks in the house already.....LOL

[dkpate]

Ditto to that 5 tank thing! LOL!
Glad you were able to get a deal on the testers!

[Chriznat20]

Well for the past few days, my ammonia has been steady at about .5 - 1.0.

Im wondering if on Tuesday/Wedsnesday when my tank got really cloudy, if that was my bacteria bloom now. About 5 hours after I added the cycle, the tank was almost clear again

Ever since then, its been really clear, the fish seem a lot happier, but of course, I dont have any nitrites or nitrates. My ammonia is holding steady. I have 5 fish in the tank so I was definately expecting a spike.

[meegosh]

I would try to get the ammonia down with water changes and then wait it out. If you have never seen nitrites then the cycle still has a ways to go. Your nitrates will start to show when the cycle is almost done.

[Chriznat20]

Originally Posted by meegosh

I would try to get the ammonia down with water changes and then wait it out. If you have never seen nitrites then the cycle still has a ways to go. Your nitrates will start to show when the cycle is almost done.

I did a 20% water change earlier...I tested ammonia before that and it was .5% .. barely registering on the test (so light yellow you could barely see it in the test tube).

Its been a week since Ive added fish, the bottle of Cycle is almost gone. There are 5 fish in the tank. Shouldnt I be showing much more ammonia?

[dkpate]

Yikes, you really don't want any ammonia lol. After the ammonia you will see nitrites, and then nitrates.

[Chriznat20]

Originally Posted by dkpate

Yikes, you really don't want any ammonia lol. After the ammonia you will see nitrites, and then nitrates.

I thought I wanted some level of ammonia (albeit low so its not stressing the fish) so the bacteria would have 'food'??

Mind you, Ive only had the tank running 1 week....far from being completely cycled.