Shawnie

I sooooo cannot wait to get my bio-spira@!!!! Been doing 50% water changes since the setup of my 75 gal, as some know I WAS clueless on cycleing, and just did another reading and its still at 4 im so not giving up, im just hoping with bio-spira it will help ..gosh Im glad I found this site before death of my kids!

sirdarksol

Have you tried moving any filter media from one of your cycled tanks into the 75g tank? With that much of a size difference, it's unlikely that this would instantly cycle the 75g, but it could provide a nudge in the right direction.

Hope the BioSpira comes soon.

Shawnie

thank you sir..silly question for ya?? will the bio-spira help instantly? or should I still do 50% change daily?? to be honest, the changes are a killer, but ill continue to do them no matter what until i have a 0 count...also, I havent even checked for nitrite or nitrate knowing I have such a high amonia..could that be an issue?? darn I think I need a

Shawnie

and no I havent moved any filters..I dont wanna disrupt the good tanks..im skeered!

sirdarksol

Do a 50% change, add the BioSpira, then test the next day before doing another water change.
The BioSpira should instantly cycle the tank, and immediately start rendering ammonia into nitrites and nitrites into nitrates. If it doesn't, though, you will need to keep doing water changes to keep your fish healthy.
So the next day, if you see no ammonia, you can switch to weekly water changes. If you see a little ammonia, or a little nitrites, you can do a smaller water change.

capekate

Hi Shawnie
that is a good point by sirdarksol. Have you thought about putting some of your filter media from your other tank that is five years old into the new tank? It sure would have helped in cycling your tank faster. I dont remember if this question was put to you before or not?

~ kate
edit: opps... posts came in while I was typing. You really wouldnt have to change out filters, just cut some of the filter media and add it to the filter in the new tank. I can understand tho if that idea worries you.
This would be a good time to buy some extra sponges or whichever fiter media you use to stuff in the back of those filters, this way you will always have some filter media available when you need it.

Shawnie

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!

Butterfly

BioSpira is meant to be put into the tank and then fish put in immediately after and as the fish add poo the beneficial bacteria in BioSpira will feed on it and grow thus cycling your tank. Adding it now will definitely help your tank cycle faster but since you have move ammonia and Nitrites than the BioSpira can handle immediately it won't be an instant cycle but a faster one as the bacteria grows to catch up.
Make sense?
Carol

Shawnie

no kate it wasnt...but thats ok...im doing the "hurry bio-spira" happy dance daily!!

Shawnie

yes carol it makes total sense...wish I found you all before I got the new tank!! GUESS I shouldnt cry over spilt milk now tho..thank you!

Peterpiper

Hi Shawnie
While you are waiting for the BioSpira, you could get some ammonia filter pads and place them in the filter. they will help remove some of the ammonia.. so less water changes. It is important to change the pads every 3-4 days, or they could start to leach the ammonia back into the water.

Butterfly

Milk? You have Milk in your tank? No wonder it won't cycle (j/k)
Carol

Shawnie

Hey peterpiper, are those available at the LFS?

Shawnie

LOL at this point carol, it mite be a lil stronger than milk!

Peterpiper

give me 15 min, and i will get the details of the product i have used

Peterpiper

Hi Shawnie
The pad is the Aqua One 'Cut to Size' Zeo Pad
We have them at our lfs in Australia, and they are made in the UK.
Heres the link
http://www.aquarium-parts.co.uk/acat...lter_pads.html

Shawnie

THANK YOU PETER..Ill check that out!

capekate

Hi Shawnie
the Aqua Clear products also have "Aqua Clear Ammonia Remover" filter insert. It claims to help remove and control harmful ammonia.
I have used this product just as a precaution when I started my tanks.
You can find them at any of the Pet chain stores in with the Aqua clear products, they are fairly inexpensive and you just put it on top of your filter foam. Maybe you can try that?

~ kate