hssea

Is API Stress Zyme basically the same as Cycle or is it something good to start a new tank cycle

Thanks, hssea

roxanne

opinions differ ... i used it in my tank when i first started it because it said it had live bacteria along with that expiration date and it being api product.i figured it couldn't hurt so i used it until i got the nitrite spike to start on it's way down. i haven't put it in since and my perimeters are staying in check.put it in our betta tanks too.i don't add it at water changes anymore i think it may help a little but i doubt if anything is as good biospira(so i am told) we just returned to fish keeping after not doing it for many years. back then we just set up the tank and put in fish.. now im like it's a wonder any of our fish ever survived.

luna

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...08&pcatid=4008

"Stress Zyme Water Conditioner

*Beneficial bacterial additive breaks down harmful organic pollutants*Improves biological filtration for a healthy aquarium environment*Helps keep filter and gravel clean and conditions new aquariums

Helps keep a naturally balanced aquarium by eliminating sludge build-up & preventing ammonia & nitrite poisoning, low oxygen levels, and low pH. Use when setting up and maintaining an aquarium. This product is safe for fresh or saltwater fish, invertebrates, and plants. Use 2 tsp per 10 gallons on day 1, 7, and 14 for new aquariums. Add weekly in established aquariums, at the dose of 1 tsp per 10 gallons. 16 oz. treats 960 gallons."

This product, yeah? That's a good question. It implies that it's adding beneficial bacteria, but it needs to be added consistently like Cycle...maybe one of the smarty-pants (you know who you are) will know more about the product.

Tavel

I'm pretty sure it doesn't actually have bacteria in it, just a nutrient package to promote it's growth along with nutrients to promote slime coats. That's just how I interpret the word "additive" in this instance.

I use that stuff, actually the top-fin version, and it's great.


Edit: I think I'm actually thinking of "Stress Coat", not stress-zyme. My bad, sorry!

capekate

IMO they are both pretty much the same. It sure would help if these two products listed their ingredients. I have both of them here in front of me and neither list what kind or type of beneficial bacteria they include.
Only difference that I can read is that the API stress Zyme says that it contains live bacteria, whereas Cycle says it contains..beneficial bacteria. From what I have learned live bacteria needs to remain cold, so are they alive? I dont know? The API claims, no refrigeration required. Both claim to be water conditioners.
I bought them when I first started out, why I havent thrown them out yet, as I dont use them, I have no idea, but its good for reference I guess to keep them around.
IMO I just use the fishless method to cycle my tanks its so easy...
~ kate

primerowan

Hm - now I'm interested too - I use StressZyme as a water conditioner since I used bio-spira and thus couldn't use Prime. I thought it was just a conditioner and provided a boost for the slime coat, but I don't want to use anything like Cycle!

Edit: Ok, after double-checking I realized that I use StressCoat, not StressZyme, though I wonder if the issue still applies...?

capekate

Both claim to have beneficial bacteria. Both claim that it helps speed up a new tanks beneficial bacteria production. IE:
Cycle: Rapidly matures new aquariums.
API STRESS ZYME: speeds development of the biological filter.
Both claim to be water conditioners as well.
~ kate

hssea

I think i'll go with the fishless cycle without using the stress enzyme

capekate

Thats a great idea Hssea
I found that going fishless cycle was the best way. You will not have to worry when the ammonia gets high and I believe your tank will cycle a lot faster this way. I cycled my tanks both ways, with fish and without and I thought that the fishless way is the only way to go for me from now on.

good luck with that and remember to test your water to find out where you are in the cycle throughout the process.

~ kate

hssea

I should be getting the 20 gal any day now. my 26 gal has had hair algae problems, which is currently greatly under control. In fact I havent seen any growing on the fake plants-i did have 6 live plants but the algae overtook them so bad. I lowered the nitrate from 30plus to 10, anyway i don't want to seed the new tank from this tank. My son's have a 2.5 gal that i removed the internal filter and replaced with external filter, I put back the internal filter a few days ago, so that it can grow bacteria for I guess a week then use that filter pad to seed the new tanks filter.

im not sure when i take the internal filter out (the external will still be there, untouched) will not have an affect on water quality since im removing some bacteria out?

Halibut

The API stuff came in the kit that I had gotten frompet smart but still havnt used it. I'm currently using the Top Fin water conditioner to dechlorinate and started out using the seachem stability but after a spike in my wifes 10gal I decided to go with the biospira for both 10 and 55 gallon tanks. Not sure why but Cycle just never appealed to me so I wouldnt use it anyways most likely but now I know not to use the stress zyme stuff either. I will however try the api stresscoat for dechlorination and such after my other stuff is gone.