Advice Please!!! - Page 2

dkane · June 17th, 2008

really stupid question i bet......what is a substrate?

tzqng8 · June 17th, 2008

Not stupid. The gravel/sand/rocks/stuff at the bottom of your tank. That is substrate.

Blub · June 17th, 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by dkane

right i think i am clear now, just a case of weathering the storm for a few more weeks, might take a look at our local aquatic centre for some bio spira.

thanks everyone!

Bad news: Bio-spira don't exist down here in the UK... Not the best news either of us have heard all day! Try looking down at Maidenhead aquatics (Big aquatics chain down here) for your fish stuff BTW - you'll get the best service and the best fish.

tzqng8 · June 17th, 2008

Try Tetra SafeStart. I bought some a few weeks ago and had it actually shipped from the UK. It is the new formula of BIO-Spira that does not need to be kept refrigerated. The bacteria are kept in a spore state and are only activated when added to the tank.

I used it recently in my small betta tank and it has worked great. I'll document its success (I HOPE!) when I use it to setup the 30g tank.

Blub · June 18th, 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by tzqng8

Try Tetra SafeStart. I bought some a few weeks ago and had it actually shipped from the UK. It is the new formula of BIO-Spira that does not need to be kept refrigerated. The bacteria are kept in a spore state and are only activated when added to the tank.

I used it recently in my small Betta tank and it has worked great. I'll document its success (I HOPE!) when I use it to setup the 30g tank.

SafeStart is a bit like Cycle - a lot of junk. The manufacturers make it look like it will on the packet, (And goodness those Tetra people can
be convincing!) but it's just the wrong bacteria for the job.

dkane · June 18th, 2008

hatchett - that explains why i couldnt find it! i think il just have to perservere with the cycle.

maidenhead aquatics are very good, i have been on the phone to them a few times already.

when i clean the substrate i need to do it a bit at a time? does this mean i am still going to delay the cycle from happening by washing away any good bacteria i have built up.

Lucy · June 18th, 2008

Hatchet,
Here's an interesting thread about Bio Spira and Safe Start:

http://www.fishlore.com/fishforum/aq...la-change.html

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