Tetra Safestart

[tom16]

Is Tetra SafeStart any good?

Thanks

 

[Miah002]

Yeah it's all right if your starting a new tank.

 

[RedeyesUK]

Safestart is basically 'bacteria in a bottle'. The idea is, it contains all the bacteria you need to get your cycle going. The trouble is, all the bacteria will be dead.

It won't do any harm, and some people have reported some benefits with it, but I think the general concensus, around here anyway, is don't bother - it won't really have much effect.

 

[Truck]

Safestart is basically 'bacteria in a bottle'. The idea is, it contains all the bacteria you need to get your cycle going. The trouble is, all the bacteria will be dead.

It won't do any harm, and some people have reported some benefits with it, but I think the general concensus, around here anyway, is don't bother - it won't really have much effect.

second that, its not worth the money you pay for it. biggest gimick i have ever come accross

 

[Miah002]

What abou that nutarafin cycling one wouldn't tha help?

Thats what i always use.

 

[Truck]

no it does not cycle a tank, and there is no need to add it, its all a physiological thing.

 

[RedeyesUK]

No, they're all pretty much the same, and all pretty much useless, I'm afraid. The bacteria needed in our tanks will not last more than a few hours without food/nutrients and an oxygen supply, which will quickly run out in a sealed bottle sat in a warehouse!

There are a couple of refrigerated products out there (can't remember the names though) that do supposedly work, but generally, if it's not refrigerated, it's useless.

By all means use it though, if it makes you feel better - just don't expect miracles, or use it as an alternative to proper cycling!

 

[Miah002]

So i've been wasting my money?

 

[Truck]

yes unfortunately all a gimick

 

[Spanerman]

The refrigerated ones are called bactinelles or bactinettes and i believe they have stoped making them

 

[Truck]

The refrigerated ones are called bactinelles or bactinettes and i believe they have stoped making them

yep unfortunately but they still make a marine version but of course is of no use to freshwater as they are different types of bacteria

 

[Miah002]

Wouldn't refrigerating them keep the bacteria alive?

 

[Truck]

Wouldn't refrigerating them keep the bacteria alive?

no, because there is no food or oxygen for the bacteria to thrive or live for that matter

 

[Miah002]

Why do people sell these producs if there a gimmick?

 

[Craster]

The point of chilling them is that it massively slows down their metabolism, meaning they can survive for extremely long periods without a nutrient source.

I've noticed that there appears to be a JBL refrigerated 'filter-start' product that has recently become available in the UK - I might do some testing.