Dried Nitryfying Bacteria

[poopsydrew]

Hey all,
A while back I was given a free 55 gallon with tons of "stuff." To my suprise I found an unopened bottle (more like a vial) of dried nitrifying bacteria. I think I have heard this stuff is pretty useful and legitamite (sp...its late). Anyway, was about to start cycling my 75 gallon tank but if this stuff works it is my lucky day. Will I have a fast (and free) cycle or is this stuff no good? Thanks a lot in advance.

Drew

 

[Amunet]

Well I guess it wouldn't hurt to use it on a fishless cycle.
If it works.. YAY... if not, well then I'm sure you won't mind waiting for the tank to cycle on it's own.. or using some media from another tank or whatever

I've never heard of any type of dry bacteria though.

 

[poopsydrew]

Well I guess it wouldn't hurt to use it on a fishless cycle.
If it works.. YAY... if not, well then I'm sure you won't mind waiting for the tank to cycle on it's own.. or using some media from another tank or whatever

I've never heard of any type of dry bacteria though.

Thanks for the input amunet. No I wont mind fishless cycling, but it would be great to not have to if possible. Has anyone had any experience with this stuff?

Drew

 

[Miss Wiggle]

is there a brand/product name so we can look it up?

 

[andywg]

If the product is pretty much anything other than Bio-Spira (which has to be kept refrigerated) then it is likely to contain the wrong bacteria for processing nitrite (Nitrobacter spp instead of Nitrospira spp).

At best it may cut out the ammonia spike of the cycle, at worst it has cost you nothing.

 

[rdd1952]

From what I understand, once they dry, they are dead. Here is an article I found a while back. I'm not certain how accurate it is but it does state "Nitrifying bacteria do not form spores and cannot survive drying".

 

[poopsydrew]

The name was "pisces"which I had never heard of. Well, like stated didnt cost me anything so no harm done. Bummer. Thanks for the input all. C ya around,

Drew

 

[Don Trinko]

I tryed "Cycle" Near as I can tell it made no difference in the cycle time. Don T.

 

[ArauraDiscus]

I've tried a product called Biozyme. It works great. it's dried bacteria and I've never had a true cycle when I use it. I get the tiniest bit of ammonia which is immediately turned to nitrite and all becomes nitrate within a day. I don't know what Biozyme put in that stuff but It seems to work, and it is dried bacteria.

 

[TylerFerretLord]

Biozyme actually works?

Yes!

My good LFS gave me some as a gift. He swears by it, but most people say it doesn't work on here.

 

[rdd1952]

I've never heard of Biozyme but I am very skeptical of bacteria in a bottle products. My understanding from all I have read is that the true nitrifying bacteria can not live when dry so I don't know how this would work. Also, from what I did find on it, it says it helps break down organic materials. The bacteria that break down excess food, dead plants, fish waste, etc. is not the same bacteria that processes ammonia. I may try to find some and do an experiment on an empty tank.

 

[poopsydrew]

I've never heard of Biozyme but I am very skeptical of bacteria in a bottle products. My understanding from all I have read is that the true nitrifying bacteria can not live when dry so I don't know how this would work. Also, from what I did find on it, it says it helps break down organic materials. The bacteria that break down excess food, dead plants, fish waste, etc. is not the same bacteria that processes ammonia. I may try to find some and do an experiment on an empty tank.

Like i said I was skeptical and I dont think I will use it. I am sure it helps some way but I am also sure the bacteria cant live in a dry powder form. I would be interested in your experiment and am thinking about doing the same thing on my 75 gallon to see how useful (or useless) this stuff is.

Drew