Cycling....

[bordercollie05]

I would like to do a fishless cycle on my new 28 gallon but I've been having a hard time finding fragrance-free ammonia. I called the local fish store to ask if they knew where I could find it and they suggested I just use bio spira instead of a fishless cycle. Has anyone used this with good results?

I'm in Illinois, USA, so if anyone knows of someplace to find the right ammonia that would be helpful too.

 

[Will91]

Hi:

I used BioSpira and it was fantastic. I did a write-up here about my results you might be able to find with a search. BioSpira has two types of nitrifying bacteria - one for ammonia and one for nitrites, so you can place a couple of fish in the tank at the same time as the BioSpira. In fact, the bacteria need a ammonia source so hence the need for introduction of biospira and fish at the same time.

I monitored the ammonia, nitrite and nitrate several times a day for two weeks and hardly saw any detection of ammonia or nitrite. Gradually the nitrates did increase till I did my first water change. The fish showed no signs of stress either.

I can't imagine going through the ammonia addition process if BioSpira is available in your area. My lfs had it in stock and the pouch was less than $10 USD. It does have to be refrigerated before use. If your lfs does not carry the product, do a google search as there are several on-line stores that carry it. Make sure they send it with a cold pack to keep it cold.

Check the MarineLand site (the manufacturer) and do a dealer search based on your zip code. Call first to see if the indicated dealers really have it in stock.

Let us know how things work out.

 

[andywg]

Just to reiterate, the Bio-Spira has to be handled correctly (refrigerated) throughout delivery and storage at the shop to be effective. However, it is the only "bacteria in a bottle" solution which contains the correct bacteria.

 

[wolfwolf]

I had my beneficial bacteria wiped out by medication. I added Bio Spira and my tank was cycled in 13 days. I started with 1ppm of ammonia and 0 nitrite. The day after I added Bio Spira I had .5ppm ammonia and .25 ppm nitrite. Now I am at 0/0.

I didn't lose any fish

 

[Will91]

Good point, wolfwolf. The BioSpira literature does indicate it can be used any time - not just for starting a new tank. It can be added during addtions to the stocking, or after medications as you pointed out. The unused portion can be kept in the refrigerator. I found that by adding additional fish just a few at a time over the course of a few weeks till I was fully stocked, the bacteria colony apparently grew accordingly as I didn't get any ammonia spikes.

It would be nice to see some mention of BioSpira included in the sticky section so more beginners can be made aware of this option.

here is a reputable on-line source for the product if you can't find it locally...

http/www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod...p;N=2004+112990

 

[bordercollie05]

Wow, thanks for all of the input guys! I'll try it out!

 

[littlest]

Although people have had good experiences with Bio-Spira, it shouldn't be used instead of a fishless cycle, only in addition to a fishless cycle (to speed up the process).

just thought I'd point that out.

 

[doresy]

Hi, if you go into any LFS and suggest you want to buy some ammonia to do a fishless cycle you may as well speak Chinese for all the response you will get (unless you are in China of course )

Cost of fishless cycle. £2 ($4) for ammonia (available from DIY store) £20 for test kit. £3 for dechlorinator and that's it

Cost of cycle with fish. £3 for dechlorinator. £6-10 for (so called) bottled bacteria. £20 for test kit. £?? for what ever fish they can con you into buying. Then later, medications for your fish as they start dying followed by more fish purchases.

Eventually another tank on Ebay/Freecycle!

No substitute for Fishless Cycling............ramblings from a cynical old fish keeper

 

[afishdude]

where abouts in ill are you? if your close enough i would be able to give some cycled media. or maby john (tolak) could if you around Chicago area.

 

[andywg]

Just to point out that bio spira contains live bacteria as found on mature media. You are, in effect, cloning the filter. If you do it right then you can stock instantly, anything else is a waste. It;s teh same as moving over cycled filter media, or using cured LR in marine tanks.

I myself have no time, or truck, with the fishless cycle. I have never done it, and never plan to either.

 

[littlest]

Using biospira without doing a fishless cycle is risky though. If you transfer mature media to a new filter, you at least know the capabilities of that media. WIth bio-spira there are many more risks. For example, you don't know if the product was handled properly during shipping.

Even one of the people who recommended the product said that it took 13 days to cycle with bio-spira. While this is much faster than an average fishless cycle, it is by no means instant.

 

[Will91]

I would agree with andywg's comments....Although I measured ammonia, nitrite and nitrate for two weeks, my results were in fact nearly instant. I have done chemical measurements for a lifetime so the tests were done correctly. I did not see ammonia or nitrite go through any peaks - in fact they were nearly undetectable. This makes sense as the biospira contains two types of bacteria - one to handle the ammonia and one to handle nitrites. Adding the fish supplies the ammonia, the ammonia is processed by the first type of bacteria to nitrite and then to nitrate by the second type of bacteria. In essence, everything is in place to create a pre-cycled tank. After using the product, I can see no reason for cycling with the ammonia method. To avoid any degradation from improper storage as littlest points out, it is probably good to start with only a few fish in case things go awry.

I think this product is a real breakthrough for tropical fish hobbyists. Note that MarineLabs exclusively develops marine oriented products and biospira has in fact been used to start very large aquariums. It would be nice to see the moderator include a mention of biospira in the sticky section. I would be happy to recommend this if someone can tell me the moderator for this forum.

 

[bordercollie05]

where abouts in ill are you? if your close enough i would be able to give some cycled media. or maby john (tolak) could if you around Chicago area.

I'm in Champaign

 

[bordercollie05]

Although people have had good experiences with Bio-Spira, it shouldn't be used instead of a fishless cycle, only in addition to a fishless cycle (to speed up the process).

just thought I'd point that out.

Do you mean I should add ammonia just like I would in a fishless cycle only add the biospira too? Or how would you factor the biospira into a fishless cycle I guess is my real question?


I've never purposely cycled a tank before so I suppose some of it is just experience, but it seems like a challenge to figure out the best way to do it. Once again, I really appreciate everyone's help. This forum has been awesome!

 

[Squid]

Just to reiterate, the Bio-Spira has to be handled correctly (refrigerated) throughout delivery and storage at the shop to be effective. However, it is the only "bacteria in a bottle" solution which contains the correct bacteria.

Any views on bactinettes andy? From their own literature it still looks like you get a small nitrite spike which can't be good.

Do you know how the two differ and what the bio-spira advantage is? Is Bio-Spira still just in the states?

Cheers
Squid