Bio-spira?

[Yanks15]

I lost my bacteria after using meds. I got some bio-spira because I was led to believe it should re-cycle the tank. I was assured by lfs that it came directly from marineland packet in cooler packs, so no middle man leaving it on a hot loading dock. Has anyone here used it before? Any success? I'm really hoping this works 'cause I don't have time for a fish-in cycle. I know what kind of work that is and I'm not ready to do it again.

Thanks.

 

[yvez9]

some years ago, i read that some people here had succes instant-cycling their tanks with bio-spira. However, some people did not have has much success...

Do you have a friend or anyone close by with a mature tank? just take some mature media and add it to your filter. Perhaps even the lfs could give you a bit of media

 

[kribensis12]

From what I have heard, it works.

 

[Yanks15]

Thanks for the replies, folks. Unfortunatly, I don't know anyone else with fish so probably a big no on the mature media. If this doesn't work, I'll ask lfs for some.

What now concerns me after reading about this stuff is the idea that since marineland sold to tetra in approx. 2006, the name has been changed. So that would lead me to believe that the package I have is approx. 3yrs. old. Not sure if anything can live for that long without oxygen but I have it now so in it goes.

I'll post if any/no effect.

Thanks.

 

[kribensis12]

I would try it anyway. Bio-spira has a shelf life, so It probably isnt nearly as old as you think it is.

 

[fatheadminnow]

Thanks for the replies, folks. Unfortunatly, I don't know anyone else with fish so probably a big no on the mature media. If this doesn't work, I'll ask lfs for some.

What now concerns me after reading about this stuff is the idea that since marineland sold to tetra in approx. 2006, the name has been changed. So that would lead me to believe that the package I have is approx. 3yrs. old. Not sure if anything can live for that long without oxygen but I have it now so in it goes.

I'll post if any/no effect.

Thanks.

You are right, the production of bio-spira was stopped in 2006, so it is, yes, 3 years old.

My LFS actually had two packets left, and I bought one and used it about 8 months ago in one of my tanks. Before I used it I had high ammonia and nitrite readings and after a week they they were holding at zero on my API test kit.

Make sure you pour the contents into the filter over the bio-media and sponge, as this is where the bacteria are going to colonize.

Good luck!

-FHM

 

[Inchworm]

Hi Smoke14

Do you live in North Carolina? If so, and if you live anywhere near rdd1952, perhaps he could give you some media from his tank. If he can't help your right now, here are links to two aquarium societies in that state. If you are near either one, contact them. Perhaps one of their members will give you some.

http/www.raleighaquariumsociety.org/main.html

http/www.aquacharlotte.org/CAASWS/index.php

 

[Yanks15]

Thanks for the replies everybody.

Found a production date on package-June 5, 2006. Refridgerated shelf life is 4yrs, so they say. I poured it into filter thursday night but haven't had chance to test yet. Baseball season is winding down and the boy has a lot of games. Will test today and post results.

Inchworm, I do live in NC. I probably will check w/ lfs for media if this doesn't take. Otherwise, I may try to contact rdd1952 for some. I'll also check your links. Thanks.

Fatheadminnow, unfortunately I have Aqueon filters and no specific media to speak of. They grow bacteria on a bio-grid. I still poured directly into it and there is still a carbon insert in it so hopefully the bacteria will be held there.

Kribensis, Agreed with using it, but definately as old as I thought. Oh well.

 

[Yanks15]

Just tested 2 days since treatment- also added reef mix for hardness problems.

Aug.20 #'s

pH-7.0
NH4-1.0
NO2-0
NO3-0

Aug.22 #'s

pH-7.6
NH4-1.0
NO2-.50
NO3-5.0

It appears that it did have some effect. I need to do a wc to get the ammonia down. I was thinking a smaller wc- 30% - to try and keep as much of the nitrates as possible. Any thoughts?

 

[OldMan47]

There is no reason to keep nitrates, they don't do anything for you. You need a big water change to get your ammonia under control. The nitrites are also high enough that your fish may start gasping for breath at the surface if it doesn't come down.

 

[kribensis12]

Nitrates start to affect your fish once they hit about 50 ppm.

 

[Yanks15]

Did wc and will test in a while.

Any thoughts on if you think the bio-spira had any effect? I think it did concidering where my water stats were before I added it. If I had just lost all the bacteria a few before adding it, I would say that it did have some effect.

 

[craig855s]

I reckon it may have helped

 

[Yanks15]

Test results 7hrs after wc- pH 7.2, NH4 .25, NO2 .25, NO3 5.0

I'm hoping that I'm close to re-cycling. Even if it's for a week or two, that's better than two months.

 

[Yanks15]

Update..... tested today and appears to be at the finish end of the cycle. Nh4-0 NO2-0 NO3-10. I'll keep checking for this week to see if they stay 0's. If so, it will have cycled in 22 days. My initial cycle on this tank took 8+ weeks for a fish-in cycle. It appears that this stuff sped up the cycle, even after sitting 3+yrs. It may be that the store I got it from actually did what they told me. Ordered directly and stored cold. Or maybe I just got lucky. I know that the bacteria in the tank was dead so something helped out. You be the judge.