Does bottled bacteria work

[Dane.w]

I’ve got a tank 3 goldfish 40 gallons
Ammonia-1
Nitrite-1
Nitrate-40
Ive got some media with bacteria but I’m worried it’s not enough so I can go to store and get bottled bacteria and I want to know if I should and if it works

 

[Salty&Onion]

Tetra Safe Start will do good. Put it in, don't do water changes for 2 weeks. After 2 weeks check your water parameters, if ammonia and nitrites are 0ppm and nitrates are high, do a water change.
But I believe that you should do 75% water change today and another tommorow to bring levels down and then do 50% daily water changes to cycle the tank with no bottled bacteria. I'm not a huge believer in bottled bacteria.

 

[Dane.w]

Can I do a water change before then put it in and how quickly does it work because the fish are in the tank, and thanks for replying so much

 

[Salty&Onion]

Can I do a water change before then put it in and how quickly does it work because the fish are in the tank, and thanks for replying so much

Sure you can do a water change but be aware that you can remove the bacteria food (ammonia and nitrite) so make sure not to do a very huge water change.

 

[PheonixKingZ]

Can I do a water change before then put it in and how quickly does it work because the fish are in the tank, and thanks for replying so much

No. You need to mix the water in a 5g bucket, before you put it in the tank.

Once you swirl it around though, it removes chlorine instantly.

 

[Salty&Onion]

No. You need to mix the water in a 5g bucket, before you put it in the tank.

Once you swirl it around though, it removes chlorine instantly.

What? OP means about bottled bacteria

 

[PheonixKingZ]

What? OP means about bottled bacteria

My bad, when you said "Safe Start" I was thinking "AquaSafe". Getting my names mixed up...

 

[Salty&Onion]

My bad, when you said "Safe Start" I was thinking "AquaSafe". Getting my names mixed up...

Lol. I mess things up all the time

 

[PheonixKingZ]

So in answer to the OP's original question, yes, bottled bacteria does work.

 

[Byron]

Bacterial supplements are not "instant cycling" products, they are comparable to seeding the tank/filter which speeds up the establishment of the nitrifying bacteria in a new tank. So there can still be a time period invoolved, but it should be less with the bacteria supplements. Some are better than others. Tetra SafeStart is one of the best, if you can get this.

Do a major water change, then add the SafeStart (use a conditioner with the water change obviously). Monitor ammonia and nitrite, and if either remain above zero do another water change. These can be daily if needed. It is a mistake to not do water changes during cycling, if fish are present (as here) and if ammonia/nitrite show in tests. Regardless of how long it may or may not take, ammonia or nitrite above zero is harmful to fish, and keeping them safe is of far more importance than the time it may take.

 

[Retired Viking]

I have used Tetra SafeStart Plus to jump start tanks for others and it worked fine, just like @Byron described. I plant/silent cycle my own tanks.