Bio-Spira

[waterdrop]

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.

In 2008 we used mention Biospira and Bactinettes fairly often here in the forum but since then that's died down considerably. Here's a quote from me answering something back at that time:
"Yes, it is correct that biospira(USA) and bactinettes(sp?)(UK) are two bacterial starters that have enjoyed slightly higher reported success rates (like 10% success instead of zero? (not trying to be sarcastic)) when one watches reports here on TFF over a long time. Both are refridgerated products and it has been felt that if you happen to get them when the particular packet is not too old and if it was lucky enough never to get thawed during transport and storage then that might explain it."

What most of us noticed was going to this extra expense and getting hopes up really just proved to be too disappointing for a roughly 10% rate of seeing any difference. I believe there were some who felt that there may have actually only been one or two stores in the UK that were getting non-thawed bactinettes because of a single good refridgerated truck driver. So overall your chances were similar to happening to be near a member who could donate mature media.

I guess for JMQ I'd definately be trying some large water change shakeups, questioning my local water authority about whether the area has any unusual things in the water (we -do- seem to have a few places crop up from time to time where we worry that something about the local water makes cycling difficult) (problem here is not really having any direction to point the questions in)... I don't know, does anyone have any other ideas? Maybe if we all questioned the basics of JMQ's fishless cycle we'd run across something...

~~waterdrop~~

 

[JMcQueen]

Yeah, I think I'll ask around at the weekend. Im also thinking of buying a cheap-ish heater to raise the temperature during cycling and then remove it once compelte to go back to coldwater.

Waterdrop, if it helps, Im based in Lincolnshire and I know the water is very hard around here.

 

[JoshuaA]

a single good refridgerated truck driver.

One exists?

The store I worked in they had little faith in such start up bacteria, however I imagine the majority of people who use them have no idea what they're really doing anyway and have been told they need them by a store worker.

I mean "Nutrafin Cycle" It's not the best advertisement for them when they give you a free bottle to help you "cycle" your new tank and the bottle isn't even big enough for a single dose according to the dose measurements.

Anyway what part of the world are you in? UK? If so where abouts? You might be able to find someone on your doorstep or even someone else who has had similar issues if its a water thing.

Edit: Lincolnshire US or UK?

Interesting, I finally found a water quality report for my area dated 21/5/10 however the results completely conflict with our experience and test tube results... Least I know how much Copper/Lead/Tetrachloroethene and trichloroethene is in my water.... there is a list of like 40 things and to my amazement Arsenic... Hmmm!

Apparently my water can fluctuate from 3.92gh and 9.1gh. Only ever seen soft water (never had any build up on heating items)

 

[JMcQueen]

UK,

Im going to pick up a cheap heater on the way home tonight and raise the tank temperature up to see if that'll get things going. Then at the weekend I'll have a scout around the shops for some media.

 

[ZoddyZod]

Bactinettes! That's the word I was looking for.

They seemed to work for me, and they were less than £5

 

[N0body Of The Goat]

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.

Aqua Evolution, perhaps?

 

[shelaghfishface]

i really wouldnt waste your money.. like you say its no longer availible in this country ( maybe for good reason) but fact of the matter is that if it isnt kept refrigarated ( however you spell that) from beginning to end.. it will die off..
do it the easy way .. read up on cycling on this site

 

[OldMan47]

I'm afraid that Shelaugh is right. Any biospira that you find today is no longer viable in terms of cycling your filter. It was once the only known brand of product for jump starting a cycle and has in recent years become more of a myth than a help.

 

[JMcQueen]

I managed to pick a heater up on the way home last night and have raised the water temp to 29oC. I've also found somewhere local that sells the Bactinettes so I might give that a go as although the results do seem mixed there are at least enough positive reports to suggest it can work.

 

[waterdrop]

I managed to pick a heater up on the way home last night and have raised the water temp to 29oC. I've also found somewhere local that sells the Bactinettes so I might give that a go as although the results do seem mixed there are at least enough positive reports to suggest it can work.

Yes, 29C is a good temp for fishless cycling and let us know how it goes (you probably have a fishless cycling thread, didn't check just now) as I think the feeling is that there are probably not any negatives to putting the bactinettes in your filter (except of course having spent the money if it turns out not to really speed anything up for you.)

~~waterdrop~~