D:

[TylerFerretLord]

If I add a product like Bio-Spira, would that increase the amount of bacteria on the zeolite?

 

[Lynda B]

Maybe someone can enlighten me, because I'm absolutely confused at this point. Why do you have to use chemicals to cycle your tank when you have fish in it? Am I just missing something?

 

[TylerFerretLord]

QUOTE(Lynda B @ Jul 13 2007, 04:13 PM) [snapback]1690077[/snapback]Maybe someone can enlighten me, because I'm absolutely confused at this point. Why do you have to use chemicals to cycle your tank when you have fish in it? Am I just missing something? [/quote]

You don't, zeolite is just a mineral that absorbs ammonia. It slows down the cycle severly. I used it as an emegency response to prevent an ammonia spike when I first started my tank. No ammonia=no nitrite=no nitrate.

The chemical I was talking about, Bio-Spira, contains the bacteria that you build up when you cycle, thus speeding the cycle up.

 

[-germ-]

Get some seachem prime, do regular water changes in conjunction and remove the zeolite IMHO....
Sounds like you may risk a spike, and you can't have your water stats constantly monitored.

 

[TylerFerretLord]

Get some seachem prime, do regular water changes in conjunction and remove the zeolite IMHO....
Sounds like you may risk a spike, and you can't have your water stats constantly monitored.

I feel safer with it in, I'm going with the 'slowly remove it' tactic. I'll pick some of what you reccommended up, almost out of dechlorinator anyway.

 

[Lynda B]

But why add Bio-spora when you already have fish? First you want to slow the cycle down, thus the zeolite, then you want to speed the cycle up, thus the Bio-spora.... see why I'm so confused here? I thought people doing a fishless cycle used Bio-spora.... (I swear, I should've stayed in bed today).

 

[-germ-]

Yeah the bio-spira would be pointless if you want to build up your bacteria quickly, if so remove the zeolite and just use bio-spira with prime.
If you want to do it slowly, keep the zeolite with the prime and forget the bio-spira.
I'd go for bio-spira and prime myself, with 25%+ water changes a day....
I think?

 

[TylerFerretLord]

B)-->QUOTE(Lynda B @ Jul 13 2007, 04:20 PM) [snapback]1690094[/snapback]
But why add Bio-spora when you already have fish? First you want to slow the cycle down, thus the zeolite, then you want to speed the cycle up, thus the Bio-spora.... see why I'm so confused here? I thought people doing a fishless cycle used Bio-spora.... (I swear, I should've stayed in bed today). [/quote]

Yeah the bio-spira would be pointless if you want to build up your bacteria quickly, if so remove the zeolite and just use bio-spira with prime.
If you want to do it slowly, keep the zeolite with the prime and forget the bio-spira.
I'd go for bio-spira and prime myself, with 25%+ water changes a day....
I think?

I figured it would speed up the slow method, but still keep it safe.

 

[TylerFerretLord]

I just had an idea, couldn't I buy a ten gallon, put a filter in it and do a fishless cycle and then just take the filter media from it? I could even solve my lack of a quarintine tank problem this way.

 

[-germ-]

I don't thin slow methods should be speeded up.
If your keeping the zeolite and it does remove ammonia then what ammonia will the bio-spira bacteria cycle with?
Waste of money....
Though to be honest there no way of knowing whats going to happen, we aren't scientists! Its all a guess.
Thats why regular water changes with Prime are my reccomendation, because i can speak from experience....
I need a lie down now.... I've confused myself.....

 

[TylerFerretLord]

I don't thin slow methods should be speeded up.
If your keeping the zeolite and it does remove ammonia then what ammonia will the bio-spira bacteria cycle with?
Waste of money....

I thought it would introduce the bacteria earlier on that would attach to the zeonite, instead of waiting for them to form over time. Plus, the water flow hit's the ceramic first, so the ammonia is in the water when they come into contact.

 

[chucksmo]

After reading this I don't know if I need to go to sleep or if im just confused. anyhow I would just ether keep up with the zeonite and keep it slow or do it the normal way. you might actually stress the fish out and have more problems.

 

[TylerFerretLord]

Hmm, I have my cycling plan, but I still wan to know what killed my fish.

Any ideas?

 

[Lynda B]

I still think your fish died from the stress of being in an uncycled tank.

 

[DarkEntity]

B)-->QUOTE(Lynda B @ Jul 15 2007, 12:40 AM) [snapback]1691173[/snapback]
I still think your fish died from the stress of being in an uncycled tank.[/quote]

Thats my take also. There are too many contradictions and confusing statements