Cycling A 37G Tank With Start Zyme

[kartman2004]

As of yesterday, I was finally able to buy the filter and heater I have been waiting on to get my 37g tank set up and started. I have read many different methods of cycling the tank, and at the time, the easiest and quickest way was to use a water conditioner and bacteria starter. After talking with an employee of a local pet store, I purchased Tetra Start Zyme, and added the recommended amount of tablets to the water. From what I have read, I have seen a 50/50 on whether this is an ok method or not. And if this is an alright method, are there any other pointers I could know to help in this process? Thanks

 

[shelaghfishface]

ive never known this method to work.. the stuff goes out of date. gets stored at wrong temp etc etc.. cant u get hold of a bottle of household ammonia? this would be an easy alternative, tho i dare say would take a few wks longer than the magic stuff

also if you run into any problems, people here will understand where youre at in your cycle and there wont ever be a shortage of good advice

of course its your tank and entirley up to you which route you chose to take

 

[onidrase]

The people who say the magic bacteria supplements work tend to be the people who don't really know what the nitrogen cycle is, and think that changing more than 20% of the water a month will kill the bacteria, or think they're doing good by running the filter pads under the tap water, etc. I'd agree with the above and get some ammonia and do it the way thats proven to work. Or, if you can, try to get a used filter pad to give you a jump start, Maybe even instantly cycle the tank.

While some pet store employees swear by the stuff, me and my pet care manager (who has been working in the company for well over 10 years) don't. He also calls the products "shady"and won't recommend them to anyone.

 

[Aqua Tom]

Its ##152###


Tom

 

[shelaghfishface]

sorry tom.... what was that??

tut tut naughty words

The people who say the magic bacteria supplements work tend to be the people who don't really know what the nitrogen cycle is, and think that changing more than 20% of the water a month will kill the bacteria, or think they're doing good by running the filter pads under the tap water, etc. I'd agree with the above and get some ammonia and do it the way thats proven to work. Or, if you can, try to get a used filter pad to give you a jump start, Maybe even instantly cycle the tank.

While some pet store employees swear by the stuff, me and my pet care manager (who has been working in the company for well over 10 years) don't. He also calls the products "shady"and won't recommend them to anyone.

well done him! its the biggest rip off out there

 

[kartman2004]

Thanks everybody. I have decided to let the Start Zyme play out, more or less since I had already started it, and since its "supposed" to work within 24-48 hrs, i dont have to wait long to find out the results. Time sure will tell... and if not, then I will 100% be going about it with Ammonia. I will keep you updated as to my tank parameters. Thanks again.

 

[shelaghfishface]

will certainly be interested in the results.. theres a first for everything

shelagh x