Coffey5030

Are there any tips for the successful use of bio-spira?

tzqng8

If it is actually BIO-Spira VS Tetra SafeStart then, these:

1. Keep it cold, but not frozen
2. If possible, ensure that it has ALWAYS been kept cold, but not frozen
3. Add your fish at the same time you add the product
4. Do not test water parameters for 7 days
5. Do not change the water for 7 days
6. Have a backup plan. Have some established filter media or gravel from a healthy, established tank dangling into the new tank in case the BIO-Spira doesn't seed or it is a bad batch.
7. Be prepared to lose fish if you do not do the above step and the BIO-Spira doesn't work 100%
8. DON'T use Prime as a water Conditioner. Use something like AmQuel. Prime actually de-toxifies the Ammonia in such a way as to not allow the newly budding bacteria colony "eat" it. AmQuel does not.

Coffey5030

I guess their claim that it will cycle your tank in 24 hours is bunk.
Why shouldn't I test the water parameters for one week?

Shawnie

24 hours is great and so much less work..but no testing or water changes for 7-10 days as it will freak you out seeing the spikes in ammonia and nitrites....goodluck !

Coffey5030

But the fish will be cool?

Shawnie

yeps... its more your nerves that get racked if you do any testing LOL

Coffey5030

I don't mean to be a pain but, what if the product doesn't work. Those ammonia and nitrite spikes could be for real. Is it a gamble? Could I add Prime just to be safe?

maxijazz

Basically sorry coffey the fish wont be cool, Bio spira and all these bacteria in a bottle are helpful but are no replacement for proper cycling. Do use them but still test your tank ( and definitly in the first 7-10 days )and stock slowly at the start, itll pay off in the long run good luck..

tzqng8

No Prime, but yes AmQuel. Prime has a formula that will actually detoxify the Ammonia in the tank in a way that will not allow it to feed the growing bacteria colony. AmQuel just "locks" the Ammonia in a way that it still has to be "eaten" by the bacteria colony.

Also, this is why I recommended step 6. Have it IN the tank while you are doing this method.

Again, just suggestions based off trying the "high tech" approach.

Edit: Corrected the reason not to use Prime (thanks Shawnie!)

tzqng8

Actually, the product states (at least SafeStart) NOT to test the water for 7 days as the free floating bacteria can cause your tests to be whack. And, as is evidenced by lots of experienced members, testing during these 7 days will show off kilter readings that may or may not be true.

I'm not sticking up for the product by any means. It helped kill 6 catfish of mine, but I want to ensure we have accurate info for our members.

Thanks!

Shawnie

IF you are doing bs, DO NOT use prime or test...if you want to do the other way with daily water changes etc, then do it...but prime will kill off the ammonia needed to feed the beneficial bacteria...either cycle fishless, cycle with fish and bs or bs n a piece of raw shrimp, or daily changes to keep them safe...if you are nervous about using bs, dont spend all that money on it as its expensive...

Coffey5030

AHHHHHH! I've been using Prime and I only did a 50% water change before I added the bio-spira. Man oh man. I will never cycle a tank with fish again. Stress reliever my......foot. It is a cool looking tank though.

maxijazz

You are spending money on a product that is telling you not to test the water because the readings are "out of whack" or incorrect, theyre hardly gona print on the back of the bottle that you cant put your full stock in straight away after paying ten dollors. Imo using proper cycling procedures can save you alot of hassle. If you know your gona set up a new tank run a new filter in an established tank for 2-3 weeks, alot better.

tzqng8

Added a step 8 for the Prime thing. My bad.

Shawnie

Oh I agree with that as far as preparing ahead of time..I keep sponges in all my tanks for the "just in case MTS hits " because bs is so expensive...IMO bs is more the the saving of fish after you started and not knowing about the cycle process..it saves on the daily water changes and cycles a tank way faster ...

tzqng8

The question was not "How should I cycle my tank?" If it were, I would have suggested fishless cycling as you have. But, I simply answered the question, as asked, to the best of my ability.

I think we're all just trying to help, friend.

Coffey5030

I have no idea what Imo and mts means.

Shawnie

imo= in my opinion
mts = multiple tank syndrome ..a sickness with no cure LOL