Bacteria In A Bottle

[ThePiggy]

I remember reading a while ago someone's opinions on the different types/brand names of biological filtration booster in a bottle but I can't remember what was said. Can anyone share some insight into which are good to use and which aren't worth it?

When I first got started with fish, my LFS recommended API Stress Zyme+ Is this one good?

 

[azulfire24]

i use that ,, i think but thats a water conditoner ,,, not the bcateria,, as for the ""overnight in a bottle tank bacteria"" i know usualy comes in little packets and HAS to be refigerated... and its up in the air as to weather or not it works,, yes the company can breed benifical basteria, bottle it and then sell them,, but they have to be kept at a constant cool temp,, not frozen,, just cold,, and if they get too hot... then they go bad.. and who has any idea weather or not somebody took too long getting it from the box to the shelf in the fridge

kinda a toss up..

 

[newfishy]

azul is right marineland makes a product called biosphera, and it has an experation date and must be constaly refridgerated or the bacteria is killed. and you have no way of knowing how the product was handled before you buy it.

though after last winters horrific power outages and my filter media went cold and dry I used it and the first baggie didnet work, I took it back to a lfs and the second baggie worked in a matter of hours.

its also very expensive, 15 bucks for a small tank.

 

[ThePiggy]

This bottle I have says:
"Contains live bacteria
speeds the development of the biological filter
helps keep aquariums clean

BENEFITS:Contains millions of live bacteria that speed the development of the biological filter to eliminate ammonia and nitrite.
WHEN TO USE: Whenever setting up, or to maintain fresh and saltwater aquariums.

DIRECTIONS:
Shake well
New aquariums: First, use STRESS COAT to remove choline and chloramines. Next, on the 1st, 7th and 14th days, add 10ml of STRESS ZYME per 10 U.S. gallons of aquarium water.
For existing aquariums: To maintain good water quality and healthy biological filtration, add 5ml of STRESS ZYME per 10 U.S. gallons of aquarium water weekly.

TIP: Continuous use of Stress Zyme will help keep the gravel bed clean and free of organics.

No refrigeration needed. Keep from freezing. Do not store above 120F"

But I don't see what the point of adding it to an already established tank would be.

 

[vancouver]

I don't think it really does anything to a tank with an already established biological colony.. I know some people add it every time they do water changes just to be safe.

Personally, I use it in the first maybe month of setting up a tank. After that, I don't see the need.

 

[Bojangles]

I used Hagen Cycle (not sure of its name in the US) on my 6 Gallon tank and it has seemed to work ok tbh

Past 3 days the tests have been

Ammonia - 0 ppm
Nitrite - 0 ppm
Nitrate - 10 ppm

 

[JenCliBee]

they dont work and even if the 1's that do have a better chance of working apparently dont actually have the rite kind of bacteria anyways if u do a search on this site about bactinettes then u will find out alot more info and why they dont work etc etc


jen