View Full Version : what is bio-spira ?
e210benz
08-23-2003, 7:24 PM
what is bio-spira ? what is this????
Hebdizzle
08-23-2003, 7:31 PM
it is a product that supposively minimizes the time that it takes to cycle a tank by adding bacteria that aide in the nitrification process. You will be able to find more info on cycling a tank in the Freshwater Newbie Forum.
Aaron
wetmanNY
08-23-2003, 7:49 PM
Here ya go: http://www.marineland.com/science/nspira.asp
Matt W
08-23-2003, 7:51 PM
I hate to link to another forum, but there is excellent info here:
http://fishgeeks.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=phpBB2&file=viewtopic&t=7372
Gunnie
08-23-2003, 8:15 PM
I have personally used bio spira twice and can tell you it is the bomb! I last used it in June on a 100 gal. tank housing 2 4 inch oscars, 1 7 inch jack dempsey, 1 2 inch jack dempsey, & 1 7 inch pleco. I set my tank up, put in the plants & decorations, added water, added the bio spira, & immediately added the above fish. I have had no problems, and my 2 oscars are about 6 & 7 inches long, the smaller jd is about 4 inches long, & the pleco is about 8 inches. The tank is beautiful. The stuff works! It is an instant cycle! You must add a full bio load of fish immediately after adding the bio spira to make it work properly. The bio bugs need food immediately, and if you don't have a full bio load, they start to die off to match the smaller bio load. I could not find it anywhere locally, and ordered mine at . http://www.fishstoretn.com (www.fishstoretn.com)
You will not be disappointed!
karfixer
08-24-2003, 9:47 AM
I'll just chime in to say that I've used it and it works. I set up a 40 G breeder tank with 24 of my Gold Gouramis and when I checked 3 days later there were Nitrites and Nitrates, the levels were fairly high, but normally 3 days is when Ammonia levels are spikeing.
ChilDawg
08-24-2003, 11:20 AM
Note that our Canadian members are apparently denied access to this because of restrictive tariffs. Hopefully Marineland Labs will set up shop in the Great White North so as to allow them access to this lovely product.
Gunnie
08-24-2003, 1:23 PM
I believe www.fishstoretn.com ships bio spira worldwide. Bernie is also very knowledgeable on the product. He sells so much of it his supply is never more than 2 weeks old.
yashinfan
08-24-2003, 1:34 PM
I think it's really weird that we can't get it in Canada but I guess it's the fact that "live" organisms are in the product. I would love to try it but honestly, I never cycle my tank and I haven't had any problems because of it. You get a big tank and little fish and add over the period of 10 days and you're fine- ammonia free!
ChilDawg
08-24-2003, 1:59 PM
Um, if you get to the point where you're ammonia free, that would be cycling...as long as the nitrite levels fall, too...but that is a good template (as far as templates for this go...) for fishy cycling.
Gunnie
08-24-2003, 2:19 PM
Yep, Bernie ships bio spira to Canada. www.fishstoretn.com
ChilDawg
08-24-2003, 2:22 PM
Okay, good to know...I wonder if cdawson is still hanging around...that was who couldn't get Bio-Spira because of American export laws...
Yes but how much shipping do they charge to Canada? I'm assuming that they have to send it via express - it must cost over $30 to get it here... (Thanks ChilDawg, for directing me to this thread)
Gunnie
08-25-2003, 9:12 PM
I'm not sure about the shipping cost since I live in the states. You can send Bernie an email. He should have a set price since he's shipped to Canada before.
www.fishstoretn.net
GoLdFiSh_GrL
08-25-2003, 9:18 PM
i'm not sure wut Bio_Spira is... ChilDawg recommended it 2 me 4 cycles, though, so that's about as close as i can help u w/ it....
Ok, I'll send him an e-mail for the shipping cost to Canada and post it here!
GoLdFiSh_GrL
08-25-2003, 9:31 PM
where can u get Bio_Spira? lyk, WalMart, PetsMart, Petco, etc.?
ChilDawg
08-25-2003, 9:38 PM
The answer to the definition of Bio-Spira is earlier in the thread, Goldfish Girl...I'd suggest calling around your region first before ordering it online.
Gunnie
08-25-2003, 9:49 PM
Yep, the stuff's not cheap, so saving on shipping is a plus, and you don't have the problem of it getting delayed and ruined through the mail. It has to stay cold. Mine came wrapped with an ice pack. Definately call around locally before buying online.
GoLdFiSh_GrL
08-25-2003, 9:57 PM
The bottled stuff is great IN THEORY, but in order for it to work propery, you'd need to use it within a few days of it being bottled. It probably sits in a warehouse for a few weeks, then on your store shelves, so by the time you see it, it has lost much of its potency. Just use the gravel, it is a tried and true method that thousands of people have had success with.
You are quite welcome. Too often, harsh advice is given and rejected. It's refreshing to see someone that is willing to listen to what someone that has been there, done that, made that mistake and learned from it, has to say. I started with a 10g tank and a boatload of fish way back when I was about 12. I'm learned a bit since then =)
GoLdFiSh_GrL
08-25-2003, 9:59 PM
well, i'll post 2 u a way that Corax suggested that i use...
Well, it would be best to cycle the tank fishlessly, as any ammonia is too much ammonia to expose a fish to. You can cycle with fish, but you'll have to be very watchful of the ammonia and nitrite levels for a few weeks. Get a BIG scoop of gravel from your LFS to help jumpstart your cycle, and if possible get a filter cartridge as well. These will both contain all the bacteria you need to seed your tank and help get things moving. The Bio-whatchamadoodle stuff that was suggested is a canned, stale chemical version of the same thing. Think of it like looking, would you rather eat canned veggies or fresh? Use the fresh
ChilDawg
08-25-2003, 10:12 PM
People have had good results with Bio-Spira, though...the jury is still out as far as I'm concerned...I think it's more for people with less patience, though...which is a good thing, because previously they had to fishy cycle to get their fish fix quickly.
GoLdFiSh_GrL
08-25-2003, 10:17 PM
Well, it would be best to cycle the tank fishlessly, as any ammonia is too much ammonia to expose a fish to. You can cycle with fish, but you'll have to be very watchful of the ammonia and nitrite levels for a few weeks. Get a BIG scoop of gravel from your LFS to help jumpstart your cycle, and if possible get a filter cartridge as well. These will both contain all the bacteria you need to seed your tank and help get things moving. The Bio-whatchamadoodle stuff that was suggested is a canned, stale chemical version of the same thing. Think of it like looking, would you rather eat canned veggies or fresh? Use the fresh
BettaFish
08-26-2003, 12:16 PM
Sorry, but there's NO WAY I'm using gravel from any pet store tanks in my house. Too much risk of parasites, diseases, etc. I don't even let their WATER into my tanks.
ChilDawg
08-26-2003, 1:32 PM
I pretty much agree with you, BettaFish!
GoLdFiSh_GrL
08-26-2003, 6:13 PM
hey hey! just a thought... gosh!... :(
ChilDawg
08-27-2003, 7:24 AM
It's not a bad thought, but there are some difficulties in dealing with it...bringing water and gravel from the LFS to your tanks is a matter of personal preference, and a matter of how bad the LFS tanks are.
Matt W
08-27-2003, 7:47 AM
Originally posted by GoLdFiSh_GrL
The Bio-whatchamadoodle stuff that was suggested is a canned, stale chemical version of the same thing. Think of it like looking, would you rather eat canned veggies or fresh? Use the fresh
It is not stale or chemical. It is the same bacteria that is found in your aquariums. Your analogy is way off. In this case the canned is better.
ChilDawg
08-27-2003, 8:48 AM
Corax was thinking about Cycle, not Bio-Spira...
GoLdFiSh_GrL
08-27-2003, 8:56 PM
oOo..... :o
Bernie
08-28-2003, 6:10 AM
Thought I would try to help straighten a few things out about
Bio-spira:
1- Product is shipped direct to dealers from Marineland, Moorpark,Ca in coldpacks (Fedex 2day) ...the same way I ship it.
So, product does not sit in warehouses. Marineland even keeps very little "on the shelf". I am one of their large users and often
have to "time my orders" when their have new batches ready!
I get shipments about every two weeks.
Product has a 6-month shelf life if kept refrigerated; (opened or
un-opened). It is the ONLY live nitrifying bacteria on the market
and is patented by Marineland.
Most of the other products (even "improved" cycle) is a nitrifying
agent or accelerator which provides "heterotrophs" in various
forms..... which in turn help grow the real bacteria.
Bio-spira gives it to you "straight"....already living!!
You should add it to your tank when first introducing fish
(within 24 hrs either way... fish first or bio first).
It will work on tanks which have existing ammonia/nitrite
problems.... but it was NOT designed for that use; and would
obviously take some time to eliminate your toxic levels (depending on just how bad your readings were!).
There's plenty more info avail at: http://www.marineland.com/science/nspira.asp
or anyone can e-mail me or post here and I will check in.
As far as shipping costs go: it does vary by zipcodes but
most shipments go either USPS or FedEx 2-day services for
about $6-7. Overnights run $20-25 . Canada shipments
go best by FedEx and runs $30-45 depending again on
Zip and whether you do overnight or 2-day.
Hope that helps.
You all seem to run a very nice site here, too (by the way)!!
Take care
Bernie
http://www.fishstoretn.com