Bio-Logical Filter Media Question

[Daniel_MoY]

Upon reading about cycling your tank.

(1) Using Established Bio-Logical Filter Media

Would that be the same as useing Bio-Spire?

I am cycling my first tank, a 38 gal, and it's so hard to wait to get the fishies.

[rosita]

Hmmm, similar but different. Biological filter media comes from an already established filter; it's the greenish brown sludgy gunk on the filter, and carries the nitrifying bacteria which will speed up your cycle, depending on size of new tank and amount of media you have at hand. I've cycled a 5g tank in a few hours; a 55 in a day or two (lots of filters laying in there, with other textured things like rocks, wood, top layer of gravel, fake objects). Some folks recommend getting the media from lfs; I don't trust what they may have lurking in their waters unless it's an outstanding store. All 9 of my tanks have been cycled this way, and I'm getting ready to do one for my classroom.
Bio-spira: some have and some haven't had success. Factors: has it been refrigerated the whole time; is it within expiration date?; did you follow directions on package? (add fish with bs), etc. I had an instant cycle when I used it one and only time, it worked great. Others, not so good (try a search).
Hope this helps. I'm sure others will chime in with their expertise.

[wataugachicken]

it's not exactly the same thing, but it is the same idea - adding bacteria to the tank rather than having to wait for it to find the tank and settle in. (nitrifying bacteria are naturally occuring, of course, and are in the air, water, and soil just waiting around for things to die so the bacteria can help decompose them).

bio-spira can occasionally cycle a tank right away, but more often it just drops cycling time to 1-2 weeks instead of the 6-8 weeks it usually takes. some people have no luck at all with the product, whether because it wasn't handled properly during shipping and storage, or they didn't follow the directions. if you choose to use it to cycle your tank, make sure you follow all the directions properly, and have your test kits (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate) and python ready in case you see any spikes up near .25 ppm.

[Hooked Newbie]

it's not exactly the same thing, but it is the same idea - adding bacteria to the tank rather than having to wait for it to find the tank and settle in. (nitrifying bacteria are naturally occuring, of course, and are in the air, water, and soil just waiting around for things to die so the bacteria can help decompose them).

bio-spira can occasionally cycle a tank right away, but more often it just drops cycling time to 1-2 weeks instead of the 6-8 weeks it usually takes. some people have no luck at all with the product, whether because it wasn't handled properly during shipping and storage, or they didn't follow the directions. if you choose to use it to cycle your tank, make sure you follow all the directions properly, and have your test kits (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate) and python ready in case you see any spikes up near .25 ppm.

:iagree:

IMO, using established filter media gives better results, is more reliable, and is much more economical.

[computerman0219]

So if you just add established filter media to the new tank, is that all you do? and Just wait? Or do you still have to cycle the tank using the established filter media and adding in pure ammonia? 29gal by the way.

[silentskream]

filter media and ammonia.

its the same process as a regular fishless cycle, but the filter media just gives it a boost and makes it go faster.