Bio-spira

[Andrew G]

I believe in letting new tanks cycle naturally but was forced to do a quick install in my office yesterday. I used this stuff (Bio-Spira) and a few hours later added the African Cichlids. I made sure that the Ph and other parameters were perfect for the new residents of course. One question:

I removed the carbon from the filter but forgot to remove a Phosphorous removal pad that I had installed earlier. Is this going to mess up the Bio-Spira?

 

[Callum]

i doubt it but i thought even with biospira you still had to leave a day or two

 

[Glod]

Bio-spira is supposed to be *correct* live bacteria culture in a bottle which is kept refrigerated to slow down it's deterioration. The stuff has a shelf life.

There have been some tests done on other forums which effectively show that the stuff does work *as long as* the instructions have been followed and the culture has been properly kept cool for the duration.

Easy way to tell is to watch for ammonia or nitrite spikes, you shouldn't get one if it's working fully. At the very least as long as the culture was ok when you got it you should have a greatly speeded up cycle.

Hope it works for you I'm sure we'd all like to be able to try out the holy grail of instant cycle

 

[k.o.d]

Have read that it is the best thing since sliced bread, as long as the caveats above have been followed, the main one being that it has been properly chilled thro' the process of getting it to your tank, if not you are buying a sachet of muck

 

[Andrew G]

I purchcased it from my trusted LFS and it was chilled at the store and at my office prior to use. The only thing I was not able to do was give it 12 hrs. before adding fish. The guy at the LFS said it would be OK to add the fish right away.

We'll see how it goes when I return on Tuesday. I have someone feeding the fish this Saturday so they don't starve through the holiday weekend.

Thanks all for your comments.

 

[Araxen]

The stuff works as long as it's not spoiled(it was left unrefrigerated). You can add fish the same day you put the Bio-Spira in. I started out my 15 Gallon tank with Tiger Barbs(who could never survive a cycle) and they were fine.

It's the only product on the market that actually works!

 

[mrseptember15]

Use this thread for more information and opinions THREAD Yeah I brought it back from 2 years yesterday . Which is weird but yeah.

 

[Bignose]

Just like with any other new fishtank, test early and test often. Within a day or maybe 2 you should have a good idea if the bio-spira is working. Definitely in 7 days. And, just be prepared to do frequent and maybe large water changes if needed to keep the pollution levels low if the bio-spira didn't take.

 

[campbellmay]

I used Bio-Spira to cycle my 20 gallon and it's just amazing as everyone raves. I got a nitrate reading within 12 hours of using it, and have had no problems with ammonia spikes or anything else since.

The website claims the product can last for a while without refridgeration, but who knows exactly what it's been through before it gets in your hands. I'm told their labs (in Florida) went through some trauma with all the hurricanes last year, so they're having to reestablish all their cultures, which is why it's so hard to find. But if you buy it from a reputable source, it should work like a charm. I think the only things that really effect it are products like Ammo-Lock. Otherwise you should be fine.

 

[HoosierInFL]

Bio Spira worked great for me, no problems with it at all. Nobody sells it in my area, so I have to buy it online. They ship it in a cold pack which helps keep the bacteria alive.

 

[Callum]

you can get Tetra safe start as well which is supposed to be bio spra for the UK as it has the live bacteria thing. but has anyone actually tried it ?