Is this stuff any good?

[OrkyBetta]

found this on the petco website. Is it any good?

http/www.petco.com/product_info.asp?sku=...00&dept_id=%2D2

 

[OohFeeshy]

Only if it has a best before date and is refridgerated. And the bacteria have something to feed on.

 

[OrkyBetta]

it says it has an unlimited shelf life...so does that mean it is no good?

 

[OrkyBetta]

Is there any product that I can use that is not bio spira or ammonia to fishlessly cycle a tank? There is not a store within a 50 mile radius of me that carries bio spira, or ammonia. And ordering bio spira is a lot of money!

 

[OohFeeshy]

Danios? Fish food at a push? Established media?

 

[OrkyBetta]

Established media seems to be a good option. You see, I am considering cycling my 30 gallon betta tank because I am thinking of filtering it. There wasn't much way to cycle it before, without the filter. So, can I buy established media from an lfs?

 

[Sky042]

If you live in Rochester NY there are no wal-marts within 50 miles of you?

If so then you do have a source for ammonia.

 

[rdd1952]

To do a fishless cycle, you have to have either ammonia or fish food. Either way, there must be a source for ammonia. As for Bio Spira, it is not for fishless cycling. It is made to add along with fish from day one.

 

[rdd1952]

And ordering bio spira is a lot of money!

As a general rule, ordering online is cheaper than buying in a store. The LFS near me that sells Bio Spira is much more expensive than online even with the shipping.

 

[lizard]

I work at a LFS. If people ask, I will give/sell them some gravel from our tanks to seed their tanks. We also sell BioSpira. To get a packet to seed a 30-gallon FW tank will cost around $10 (I can't remember the exact price).

From WetWebMedia: "There are commercial preparations of bacteria, their adjuncts available that you can add from a bottle directly to your system… Some work pretty well most of the time (e.g. Marineland's Bio-Spira, Hagen’s Cycle ™ and fresh Fritzyme ™)" Source: http/www.wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/fwestcycling.htm

The article says it's on FW cycling, but then it talks about liverock and Damsels, so I don't know. I've found WWM to be a good source of information. The people running it seem to know their stuff.

Another link: http/www.fritzpet.com/nitrifying_bacteria_lab.html

Someday, when I have the money, perhaps I'll buy all these different cycling products and try 'em out.

Pamela
aka Married Lizard