conlee121

I am 14 days into cycling, have been using stress zyme and prime. Had to change the filter last night. If I can find this safe start should I use it with the stress zyme or instead of the stress zyme? am confused. Would like to cycle the fastest way, as I am cycling with fish.

Thank you

Alessa

You use it instead of the stress zyme. also, it seems like it does not work with prime... so while you cycle i'd change my water conditioner to something like aqua+ by hagen that does not mess with ammonia.

jdhef

Changing the filter will really set you back, since most of the bacteria that converts ammonia into nitrites and nitrites into nitrates colonizes in the filter media. You could probably use Safe Start. I would discontinue the Stress Zyme while cycling with Safe Start, just because I don't know if it is okay or not.

If you don't use Safe Start, you really need to be doing 50% water changes every day until the tank cycles. If your filter get dirty, just swish it in some used tank water and put it back in your filter, so you don't lose the benificial bacteria

Alessa

OMG, hadnt seen your levels! 4.0 ammonia is likely to be killing fish almost instantly so please do 50% water changes daily until you get the safestart and listen to jdhef. dont change filters unless they are basically falling appart!

Lucy

Good advice everyone.

I'd also not use carbon, it traps a bunch of stuff and when it expires it will release them back into your tank.

COBettaCouple

I think stress zyme will either do nothing for the cycling or actually set it back.

Shawnie

id keep the carbon for at least 3 weeks or so because it will help take out the ammonia and its so high, that id change out the carbon every 3 weeks until its gone..then discontinue carbon unless you are going to replace it every 2-3 weeks..do not use prime or stress zyme if you are going to try safe start as it will lock everything up...jd was right on DAILY water changes until you are fully cycled to help save the fish ...goodluck and try to find some patience because most of us know how frustrating it is

David C

I've used safestart successfully on two tanks with API stress coat as the conditioner since I heard prime doesnt work with it. i'm not sure about the strees zyme, never used it. So far ive cycled a 10g and 6.6 gal in less than 5 days from start to finish using the safestart/stresszyme combo.