Quick Questions

[M4R13Y]

Do things like stress zyme bacterial starter cultures and things like that actually work

 

[Aquascaper]

Some do, some don't.....most people just use them for mini-cycles rather than for full cycling as the results are rather hit & miss.

 

[M4R13Y]

Some do, some don't.....most people just use them for mini-cycles rather than for full cycling as the results are rather hit & miss.

What do you mean hit and miss.
Sometimes they work sometimes they don't.

 

[Aquascaper]

Just that, some people report good results others say it did nothing....hit & miss

If you want to spend money on something that may or may not work then it's up to you, I personally wouldn't bother

 

[M4R13Y]

Ok

 

[Aquascaper]

Are you asking this because you're wondering what to do when you upgrade your tank?
If so, just exchange some filter media from your old filter into the new one and run for a few days whilst doing a small fishless cycle on the new tank (until parameters are correct) then away you go

Cycled filter media from an existing filter is going to do exactly what these additives claim to do.....guaranteed

 

[M4R13Y]

Are you asking this because you're wondering what to do when you upgrade your tank?
If so, just exchange some filter media from your old filter into the new one and run for a few days whilst doing a small fishless cycle on the new tank (until parameters are correct) then away you go

Cycled filter media from an existing filter is going to do exactly what these additives claim to do.....guaranteed

Thanks for the great advice could I put 2 or 3 fish in the new tank to help it along

 

[Aquascaper]

I would set it up with exchanged media and add some ammonia and see how it copes first but it's up to you, if you add them slowly then it shouldn't be a problem.

Just don't assume that by swapping some filter media it will be up and running straight away, it may have to go through a mini cycle before it's fully operational.

 

[M4R13Y]

Could I put some filter media in and then put about 2 fish in to help the cycle

 

[Aquascaper]

Do not be impatient, the last thing you want to do is set up a new tank and move fish over causing a mini cycle and end up losing fish.

If you absolutely have to then move a few over but it will not speed up the process any quicker than following a fishless cycle routine, in fact IMO doing a fishless cycle would actually be quicker as you will be able to dose the tank with higher amounts of ammonia than a few fish will produce. This will result in a better bacterial colony and then all your fish could be transferred over in one go.

The other alternative would be to just move everything over and put the old filter into the new tank whilst running the new filter for a few weeks alongside it.

 

[M4R13Y]

Do not be impatient, the last thing you want to do is set up a new tank and move fish over causing a mini cycle and end up losing fish.

If you absolutely have to then move a few over but it will not speed up the process any quicker than following a fishless cycle routine, in fact IMO doing a fishless cycle would actually be quicker as you will be able to dose the tank with higher amounts of ammonia than a few fish will produce. This will result in a better bacterial colony and then all your fish could be transferred over in one go.

The other alternative would be to just move everything over and put the old filter into the new tank whilst running the new filter for a few weeks alongside it.

I think I'm gona use some very hardy fish in the tank for 3 weeks and then slowly move my stock over week by week and add more stock