stress zyme

[kevingrods]

hi,

I just poured 20 oz of stress zyme into my 40 gallon tank.

Is my tank ok? I have read that this is non issue and some people say it is. I'm looking for a hard answer on this. I have called the manufacuter but they will not get back to me until tomorrow

Thank you,

Kevin

 

[BettaBettas]

sounds maybe like slightly to much, why did you put it into the tank?
Parameters and fish in the tank?

 

[Byron]

According to the safety data sheet, StressZyme contains non-pathogenic bacteria cultures. If this is true, and there are no chemical substances in it, the fish should be OK, but that is only my surmise. My suggestion would be to do a major water change, and not add more of this when you fill the tank. Your 20 ounces is 591 ml, and API recommend 5 ml per 10 gallons, which would be 15 ml max (your 40g is not holding 40 actual gallons with the substrate, decor and fish) so this is a huge overdose.

For the future, I would not recommend this product at all. While API is generally reliable, and I use several of their products willingly, the claim they make that StressZyme "Contains live bacteria to consume sludge and reduce aquarium maintenance" is beyond reason. I don't doubt the bacteria culture part, but no product can replace proper aquarium maintenance such as regular water changes, not overstocking or over feeding, etc. And I know many think using this product resolves such issues. It can't.

Byron.

 

[NickAu]

the claim they make that StressZyme "Contains live bacteria to consume sludge and reduce aquarium maintenance" is beyond reason. I don't doubt the bacteria culture part,

Silly question,
If this product contains bacteria how do they keep it alive? Wouldn't it need oxygen and food? Sure it might be alive when its bottled at the plant but remember this stuff may sit on a shelf for 6 or more months before somebody buys it.

 

[Byron]

Silly question,
If this product contains bacteria how do they keep it alive? Wouldn't it need oxygen and food? Sure it might be alive when its bottled at the plant but remember this stuff may sit on a shelf for 6 or more months before somebody buys it.

This is not at all a silly question, many ask it about various bacterial supplements. Now, I've no idea, and can find nothing on the API site, about the specific bacteria in Stress Zyme, other than their statement that it contains non-pathogenic bacteria cultures, and that it does not require refrigeration.

The nitrifying bacterial supplements like Tetra's Safe Start and Dr. Tim's One and Only contain the Nitrosomonas sp. and Nitrospira sp. bacteria that oxidize ammonia and nitrite. According to Dr. Hovanec, these bacteria go into a suspended state and remain alive. I believe there is a shelf life, but I am writing from memory now. But there is irrefutable scientific proof that the bottled bacteria, at least these two, do contain live bacteria.

As I have written in various threads, the nitrifying bacteria once established (as during cycling) do not die if food is not available. They too go into a suspended state. There is a limit to this, but it is several weeks (if memory again serves me). Chlorine in tap water does not kill them, unless it is extremely strong and they are in contact over a period of time.

Byron.