View Full Version : Using Stress Zyme
rcaterin1
03-05-2008, 6:44 PM
Does it actually work???? can it really contain all the bacteria it claims it does??? are there better products out there????
ZSandmann
03-05-2008, 6:50 PM
Biospira is the best product to jump start a cycle but it really depends on if it is fresh. I like Stress Zyme for the additives but no I doubt it contains much live bacteria. Think about it, they are bottled up in there for goodness knows how long. I just don't see how they could survive.
rcaterin1
03-05-2008, 7:09 PM
well they claim they are dormant (which is possible)... but i am skeptical as well..... Biospira??? i have heard of it but have never seen it before..... any suggestions on where to find it????
ZSandmann
03-05-2008, 7:16 PM
usually at any LFS in a small refrigerator, it must be kept cold till used.
rcaterin1
03-05-2008, 7:21 PM
cool.... thanks for the tip.... im gonna head down there right now to see if they carry it
wataugachicken
03-05-2008, 9:28 PM
even biospira, possibly the best (only?) live bacteria product out there, isn't a miracle product. for some people it works instantly, for some (like me) it cuts cycling time down to a week or two instead of 6-8 weeks, and for some it never works at all. do not use it thinking you will not have to test or change any water.
rcaterin1
03-05-2008, 9:36 PM
oh i know there is no substitute to water changes.... but i went to 3 places today and no luck.....
even biospira, possibly the best (only?) live bacteria product out there, isn't a miracle product. for some people it works instantly, for some (like me) it cuts cycling time down to a week or two instead of 6-8 weeks, and for some it never works at all.
It is supposed to take 2 weeks to work. I've never had a package fail.
SanguineApple
03-05-2008, 10:00 PM
I've had it fail, unfortunately, and so have others. There's just no guarantee it's been stored properly until it gets to your home. I wouldn't chance it again.
I've had it fail, unfortunately, and so have others. There's just no guarantee it's been stored properly until it gets to your home. I wouldn't chance it again.
Even when kept warm Bio-Spira has a shelf life of about 6 months. They are even dated so you know when it was packaged. When used properly it works as it claims.
rcaterin1
03-05-2008, 10:18 PM
is there a good place on the internet that will ship the stuff to canada fairly quickly???? i would definatly like to try it
excuzzzeme
03-05-2008, 10:23 PM
I keep 5 Pearl Danios around just for that purpose. I take water from cycled aquariums, fill the new tank half-full, top off and toss them in. 2 weeks later I add the fish I want in there, add some "Stress Coat", and have had no problems doing this.
When it comes to water changes I am literally OC about it. I think that is the only reason I don't have new-tank problems.
If I don't have enough water I fill new tank only half way add the Danios. I then wait approx 4 weeks or more and again, I use "Stress Coat".
I have tried Stress Zyme but am not convinced one way or the other. I even tried some bacteria samplers that were being given out by diff mfg's and never seemed to have much time cycling difference to make it cost effective.
Go with what works for you.
wataugachicken
03-05-2008, 10:36 PM
I am not 100% sure, but i think Bio-Spira may be illegal in Canada.
rcaterin1
03-05-2008, 10:43 PM
its not illegal.... just takes longer to clear customs when crossing the border.... kinda why i want to find a canadian dealer
rcaterin1
03-05-2008, 10:50 PM
i was just reading that some people use septobac (its a biological septic tank cleaner).. now while they say it does contain the same strain of bacteria as biosprira is does help promote the growth of that type of bacteria... this stuff can be bought at safeway and is totally non toxic..... any thoughts on using septobac in lieu of biospira
i was just reading that some people use septobac (its a biological septic tank cleaner).. now while they say it does contain the same strain of bacteria as biosprira is does help promote the growth of that type of bacteria... this stuff can be bought at safeway and is totally non toxic..... any thoughts on using septobac in lieu of biospira
If it is not the same bacteria...don't expect the same results. ;)
SanguineApple
03-05-2008, 11:12 PM
Regardless, if the Biospira has to be shipped to Canada and go through customs the likelihood of it going bad skyrockets. I would skip the miracle products. I've had Biospira fail on me anyway, so I don't trust it at all.
rcaterin1
03-05-2008, 11:22 PM
i was just reading that some people use septobac (its a biological septic tank cleaner).. now while they say it does contain the same strain of bacteria as biosprira is does help promote the growth of that type of bacteria... this stuff can be bought at safeway and is totally non toxic..... any thoughts on using septobac in lieu of biospira
the septobac contains nitrifying bacteria just not the same strain as biospira.... i have been reading that people that use have cycled there tank in less than a week.... septobac does breakdown nitrogen waste.... maybe i will give it a try.. and keep everyone posted of the results.... who knows could be a very effective and CHEAP alternative to biospria (only costs about $5 a pouch and 1/5 of a teaspoon treats about 10 gal of water)
rcaterin1
03-06-2008, 10:31 AM
ok... so i used some septobac before bed last night.... woke this morning tested the water and to my surprise my ammonia/nitrite/nitrate readings were at zero.....
(used about a teaspoon if the powder.... dissolved it some luke warm water...let it sit for 20 minutes.... strained of the liquid and slowly added to the tank)
wataugachicken
03-08-2008, 9:13 AM
do you have fish in the tank already? if not, what are you using as an ammonia source?
rcaterin1
03-08-2008, 9:16 AM
i have a pleco and 3 zebra danios
ok... so i used some septobac before bed last night.... woke this morning tested the water and to my surprise my ammonia/nitrite/nitrate readings were at zero.....
That is not good.
mcybyk
03-08-2008, 12:00 PM
IMO, and I am relatively new to this hobby, you're tank has not started cycling yet. I went through the same thing where I started a new tank with media from another tank and began adding a few fish. My readings were zero on ammonia, nitrite and nitrate. After a couple of days, I added more fish, then waited with the same results and added more fish. It was after adding the last round of fish that I had a spike in ammonia and had to do regular water changes every day. Unfortunately, I had to go out of town and could not keep up with the water changes. As a result, I lost half my fish due to the cycle.
I would wait until you have some kind of readings before adding any more fish.
rcaterin1
03-08-2008, 1:37 PM
i did have readings ammonia .25... nitrite .25 and nitrate 10 ppm.... then after a couple of days they all went to zero