Anyone heard of Biozyme or Ultra Clear?

[AngelThoughts]

Hello everyone!

I am new to the site and the fish world. I used to have goldfish as a child but haven't owned any fish for a very long time. This site and others have been very helpful in teaching me about the fishless cycle and about the 'fishless instant cycle." I haave read about Bio Spira but when calling LFS around Denver 3 places say they have been using Biozyme for 20 years or so and it works well. Someone else who I've visited for about 10 years (before I could afford to buy myself any kind of fish) said he uses Ultra Clear and it comes refrigerated and has worked really well. Anyone know about either of these products or if they work? Thanks for all your help!!!

 

[madasafish]

I've seen both in the LFS, but have heard that only Bio Spira does the job right. No personal experience, though... Sorry

 

[Allivymar]

Hiya Angelthoughts:

Actually, Bio-Spira is the only product on the market with the correct nitrifying bacteria. Biozyme, UltraClear and the rest have bacteria; usually heterotrophic bacteria which ONLY convert ammonia when there is no organic waste, or nitrosomas/nitrobactor bacteria which has recently been discovered is NOT the true nitrifying bacteria. Marineland got a patent on the correct guys (nitrospira and nitrosospiras) so chances of the others having the right stuff is pretty slim.

You can read about some experiences with other bacterial starters here: http://www.thekrib.com/Chemistry/jump-starts.html and read about the nitrospira/nitrosospira testing here: http://www.marineland.com/science/nspira.asp