voiceless_kat

In the last week, I have contacted Marineland tech help twice for assitance. I wanted to share their replies, since I am sure we will all be able to make use of it:

First question was regarding cleaning the tank Storm was in.

The reply:
From: US Marineland Consumer
Date: 8/14/2007 11:00:31 AM
To: Val
Subject: RE: Bio Wheel


Hi and thanks for the inquiry! It is okay to soak the Bio-wheel in a weak bleach solution. Just be sure to rinse it off in water very thoroughly as you mention. Wipe down the tank and heater with distilled vinegar. You can soak the net in a mild bleach solution too. Dropsy is a bacterial infection. Typically the bacteria die off fairly quickly with a lack of a host (fish) and/or when exposed to bleach/vinegar. Air drying everything a few days is also very affective. Sorry to hear about your loss! I hope this helps and best wishes in the future!



Thank you!





Tetra Care

United Pet Group, Tetra Office

3001 Commerce St

Blacksburg, VA 24060

1 800 526 0650

1 800 433 8914 fax


Second reply was regarding Bio Spira and its use:

The reply:
From: US Marineland Consumer
Date: 8/15/2007 7:44:08 AM
To: Val
Subject: RE: Bio Spira


Hi and thanks for the inquiry! I have used Bio-spira on 1 saltwater and 3 freshwater tanks myself recently, also with excellent results. We do not provide an expiry date on these. I have been told that is because since it is a live product the lifespan can be somewhat variable. Also since it is refrigerated, thus putting the bacteria in a suspended metabolic state I have been told, again it can be nearly impossible to predict an actual expiry date. That being said. I have been informed that the product should be good for at least 6 months refrigerated and about one week at room temperature. The bacteria can be destroyed by very high temps, above 90F and freezing temps, below 32F. I started a small 3 gallon betta tank using about 1/6 or slightly less of a small pouch. That is probably slightly higher than needed but it worked out very well for me. I introduced a male and 3 females immediately with no ammonia or nitrite spikes recorded. I hope this helps! Be sure and shake the bag before adding as the bacteria tends to settle.





Tetra Care

United Pet Group, Tetra Office

3001 Commerce St

Blacksburg, VA 24060

1 800 526 0650

1 800 433 8914 fax


Great service, great products, great company!!

Not sure where else I could post this to ensure it was read by a lot of members!

Val

capekate

Great post Val, and informative as well. Its nice when these company respond when asked for assistance.

Phloxface

They put a male and 3 females together in a 3 gallon tank??!! I wonder how long the females lived before they were killed?

I just threw out my Biowheel and bought a new one. It only costs about $3. Bleaching destroys the bacteria anyways so either way you'd have to start new. I don't trust bleach on anything but hard surfaces like glass or plastic.

voiceless_kat

Phlox, I think you misunderstood....she/he started 1 saltwater and 3 freshwater tanks.

Also, I would have to order a bio-wheel and pay $10 shipping, so it was better for me to do it this way. I am not using this tank anyway, just got it all cleaned up and will put it away, so there will be nothing left.

Val

chickadee

A lot of pet stores will also carry extra Bio-wheels for standard sized tanks if they are any size at all. Most Petco and PetSmart stores carry them. As long as you soak the affected parts in dechlorinated water before you use it again, the weak bleach water (1 part bleach to 19 parts water is the usual suggested ratio) will not hurt the fish. There are also chlorine tests in the API test kit so you can always make sure by running a test to make sure all the chlorine is gone.

I do have to agree the folks at Marineland are great. I had a small problem with a Hex5 light hood and they mailed me another one and mistakenly mailed me a second one. I called and offered to return it and they said to keep it so now I have 2 brand new Hex5 light hoods and no more Hex5 tanks. (anyone need one?) I also have a new hood for a Eclipse 3 gallon and a brand new Eclipse 2 hood for my 25 gallon (not free but the store I purchased it from did NOT have such a good business practice and would not let me return it when the tank they sold me to go with it was cracked) (I later purchased the 25 gallon set-up FROM Marineland that INCLUDED the Eclipse hood, hence 2 hoods for 1 tank)

Rose

Phloxface

If you don't want to risk it and need a new BioWheel I can easily pick one up for you at Petsmart and mail it to you for only the cost of the wheel and shipping (about $1.25 shipping).