Bio-spira Or Cycle....or Stability?

[dzsigmond217]

Hi all...so with my fully stocked 29 gallon tank that had its beneficial bacteria accidentally killed It was suggested that I use Bio-Spira. I finally found a place I can buy it online but am unsure how to use it or if it would even work..? The ammonia levels in my tank reach a staggering 6-8 ppm over the course of 10 hours (I'm using Ammo-Lock). Anyway..if anyone can give me some info on using Bio-Spira and how it works I'd be very grateful!

 

[backtotropical]

Wow, thats a disaster Dianne. What hapened?

Bio-Spira will help, just add the relevant amount as stated on the instructions. These things usually have most effect if you can pour it directly into the filter.

Remember to keep it refrigerated!!!

I take it you still have fish in there? You need to be doing massive water changes too.

Good luck and keep us posted.

BTT

 

[rdd1952]

I haven't personally used it but most that have say it works. The instructions are on the package and I think a package contains 2 doses. It would be worth a try. Are you seeing any nitrite or nitrate yet? It would probably be more helpful with the nitrite since there isn't a product that I know of that neutralizes it like Ammo-Lock does ammonia.

 

[backtotropical]

Salt will neutralise nitrite, but certain fish will not like salt whatsoever and it could do more harm than good. Remind us what fish you have please, Dianne?

 

[dzsigmond217]

Its been around 2 weeks or over of massive water changes because of ammonia..I started the first week with 2 50% changes a day but the ammonia levels spiked so high I'm now doing 2 80% water changes 10 hours apart. In that 10 hours the ammonia goes up to 6-7 ppm. I tried getting mature media from LFS's but no one sells it or the Bio-Spira. Honestly I dont know why the bacteria died. I had a pH problem (way to low because of a massive piece of driftwood I had it the tank which I took out 2 weeks ago and put some coral in. pH is 7.0 now) But before that my tank was cycled. I had tried to transfer media from the cycled tank to another tank and it didn't take for some reason. Right after I did the transfer i saw my ammonia levels spike. So I performed all tests and saw that I had no nitrites or nitrates and realized my tanks bacteria must have died..so it could have been either of the two that caused it. So now I actually have a 29 gallon thats cycling and a seven gallon. I'm afraid that the ammonia levels get so high while I'm at work that its preventing my nitrite from growing. I haven't lost any fish (yet)..

My 29 gallon:
2 peppered corydoras
3 cherry barbs
2 dwarf gouramis
2 white skirt tetras
2 neon tetras
3 platies
1 female betta
1 upside down catfish

My 7 gallon:
1 male betta
3 guppies

I'm also using Ammo=Lock to try and help.. I don't have anyone to give the fish to and no LFS will take them plus I love them and don't want to get rid of them if I don't have too!
When I can I try to squeeze in another 50% water change throughout the day..but as you can imagine its driving me nuts ( but I will do what I have to to take care of my fish!).. I wish I knew somewhere that sold mature media!! I have 1 more local store to check and then I'm going to the phone book..LOL. Tomorrow I'm ordering the Bio-Spira. The cost of it isn't bad but the shipping fee is a killer! Almost triple the cost of the product.

 

[bordercollie05]

I've had very good luck with bio-spira. My LFS is good about handling it properly and it saved my angelfish! Good luck with your fish.

 

[backtotropical]

Have you checked TFF for someone local willing to donate media?

http/www.fishforums.net/content/New-to-t...ia-To-Newbies-/

 

[dzsigmond217]

Have you checked TFF for someone local willing to donate media?

[URL="http/www.fishforums.net/content/New-to-t...ia-To-Newbies-/"]http/www.fishforums.net/content/New-to-t...ia-To-Newbies-/[/URL]

Thanks for the list but there are only 2 people located in New York and one member hasn't been on for almost 2 months which leaves 1 member which is around 2 hours away. I tried the one last LFS and they neither sell Bio-Spira or mature media...*sigh* They all keep suggesting the same 2 products : Cycle & Stability. Would it be worth it to try either of these products or should I just shell out the $57 duckits for the Bio - Spira? Its not the money I'm worried about but what will help my fish & cycle the fastest.

 

[dzsigmond217]

Potentially good news! I found a store (30 mins away) that says they have Bio-Spira in stock!! Whoopee! I went to Marineland.com to check for local retailers and found this store so hopefully they'll still have it in stock when I get there this afternoon! Yay!!

 

[dzsigmond217]

Well I had good fortune today! The store really did have it in stock and I bought 2 1oz pouches which treats 60 gallons. I'm going to read the package instructions and get everything set up for using it. I'll keep everyone posted!