Bio-Spira

[JMcQueen]

Bio-Spira seems to be the recognised start up that acutally works. The only problem is that nobody in the UK stocks it. I've seen a few based in the US that offer overnight delivery (at HUGE cost) but I was wondering if anyone does know of a UK stockist.

 

[JoshuaA]

Bio-Spira seems to be the recognised start up that acutally works. The only problem is that nobody in the UK stocks it. I've seen a few based in the US that offer overnight delivery (at HUGE cost) but I was wondering if anyone does know of a UK stockist.

I've never seen it either, however I did hear rumours that Bio-Spira went under the brand name of Tetra Safestart or whatever. I can't vouch for its ability to perform but on another forum I browsed there was a poll and the results were roughly 50:50 on Successful/Failure.

 

[dipsydoodlenoodle]

By the time you actively manage to get hold of it would be not be easier to start without it.

Also have you tried e-bay?

 

[JMcQueen]

Well I've been trying to run a fishless cycle for about three weeks now and cant get the ammonia to drop below 2.4 ish. I dosed up to 4.9 and it dropped to 2.4 within the first week but since then - nadda.

Starting to get a little impatient and considering using a start-up chemical or maybe even a closely monitored fish in cycle though I really am reluctant to do the latter.

 

[toshapetriji]

Why don´t you take a look at the thread with members willing to donate mature media? More reliable than snake juice I would suggest.

 

[ZoddyZod]

There is a product that Maidenhead Aquatics sell that is meant to work as well. It comes in a transparent can and they keep in the fridge. I used it and it appeared to speed up my cycle......for the life of me I cant remember what it's called!

If you have a Maidenhead Aquatics nearby, give them a call and explain what you are looking for, they should know what you are talking about. When buying it, make sure the can is within its sell-by-date.

 

[JoshuaA]

Well I've been trying to run a fishless cycle for about three weeks now and cant get the ammonia to drop below 2.4 ish. I dosed up to 4.9 and it dropped to 2.4 within the first week but since then - nadda.

Starting to get a little impatient and considering using a start-up chemical or maybe even a closely monitored fish in cycle though I really am reluctant to do the latter.

Try checking your pH, if your pH has crashed because of the amount of Nitrite the chances are your bacteria has gone dormant. From what I found on my fishless cycle so far is if it goes below 7.6 the cycle slows, below 7 and it becomes really slow around 6.6 nothing happens.

 

[JMcQueen]

The PH from the tap water is naturally quite high and obviously the tank is heavily skewed due to the addition of ammonia.

Nitrites showed an increase and then reduced to zero. The media sharing thread might be an idea, wonder if theres anyone local to me..

 

[JoshuaA]

The PH from the tap water is naturally quite high and obviously the tank is heavily skewed due to the addition of ammonia.

Nitrites showed an increase and then reduced to zero. The media sharing thread might be an idea, wonder if theres anyone local to me..

Wait... so what is your pH now? pH from tap water is usually like 7 - 7.6

Ammonia will take the pH up and depending on whether you have soft or hard water will really define how fast and easily it will fluctuate. Once the Ammonia is converted into Nitrite your pH will begin to drop, if your pH drops below 7 it will slow down considerably and then at around 6.4 - 6.6 your bacteria will likely cease. I also believe Nitrate is an acid so it will also bring down your pH.

If you haven't checked you could well be in the same situation I was in and get stuck without any processing because of a pH crash.

Edit: Also if it is a pH issue then mature media will not help either.

 

[JMcQueen]

The last time I checked (about three days ago) the PH was greater than 7.6 (the LFS only had a narrow range test kit in stock). I can check it again tomorrow (away from home tonight) to see if it has dropped. The water in my area is notoriously hard.

I also do have a maidenhead store not too far from me so might pay them a visit at the weekend.

 

[JoshuaA]

The last time I checked (about three days ago) the PH was greater than 7.6 (the LFS only had a narrow range test kit in stock). I can check it again tomorrow (away from home tonight) to see if it has dropped. The water in my area is notoriously hard.

I also do have a maidenhead store not too far from me so might pay them a visit at the weekend.

It is advised to have the following test kits at hand during a cycle and then general maintenance. It will also be cheaper then driving down to the fish store every day if you have a fish problem and allows you to faster diagnose issues. eBay will likely be the cheapest source for these test kits though!

Ammonia
Nitrite
Nitrate
pH and an upper range pH
and possibly a gh/kh test kit.

3 days is a long time for the pH to fluctuate in my experience it went from about 8.4 down to 6.4 in about 2 days and had to be returned manually by a 95%/100% water change.

That brings me onto have you do many water changes during this fishless cycle? I found that once Nitrite started being produced the pH dropped quite fast as you do get 2.7 Nitrite to each part Ammonia. I mean if you're 3 weeks into a cycle and haven't done water changes either your tank could really be over saturated with Nitrite.

 

[JMcQueen]

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/328375-jmacs-new-fishless-cycle-log/

Sorry for the delay in getting back to you but Im working away at the moment and only have internet access during office hours. The above link is to the log I've been keeping on here of ammonia, nitrate and nitrite levels.

Until recently I hadnt performed any water changes. The ammonia dropped to 2.4-ish and nitrites were produced. The ammonia then remained at 2.4 and nitrites dropped to zero. Since then nothing much has happened.

I then performed a 80% water change to see if that would help and redosed the ammonia. That was Sunday and I havent been home since to see how its getting on. I'll be back home tonight.

 

[JoshuaA]

Just out of curiosity what are you using as a source of Ammonia?

 

[JMcQueen]

Just out of curiosity what are you using as a source of Ammonia?

Boots Household Ammonia 9.5% solution. I checked some in a test tube, it doesnt froth when you shake it.

 

[JoshuaA]

Just out of curiosity what are you using as a source of Ammonia?

Boots Household Ammonia 9.5% solution. I checked some in a test tube, it doesnt froth when you shake it.

Same here! I just read you were doing it in a cold water tank though? Obviously its going to be slow but this is pretty slow by the looks of it. Have you tried getting your hands on mature media? Possibly a local fish store may help but they're usually pretty tight about it and would prefer you waste your money on the Tetra Safe Start type products.

My girlfriend asked me if you could take one of those TetraSafe Start bottles back if it didn't work on the grounds its not fit for purpose. I mean if the bacteria were all dead inside it would be like buying a sour bottle of milk!

Anyway strange that everything seems fine about from the fact its not cycling, mature media should be your goal. Phone around your local fish stores and explain. If they recommend you a "Bottled Bacteria" just say you know they will rarely work.