Picking a Bio-Spira fight!!!!!!!!!

I don't think I have ever seen anyone say it cannot be done. I personally cycled my first tank using bio-spira (when they had the FW version) although it did not work 100%. I still had a mini-cycle.

The problem with these types of products comes when the are mishandled during shipping. If they are exposed to extreme temps the bacteria will die, end of story. Therefore, the products are not a guarantee unless they are kept within a constant temp range. It is very easy for a customer to end up with a faulty bottle if the store does not know of the problem. This really becomes an issue around this time of the year if the supplier does not take extra precaution with shipping. Another problem can arise when the products are left in the store shelf too long. I believe The V has said that the beneficial bacteria in our aquariums can live 3-4 months without food. During that time they simply go dormant. But if a bottle is left unused for longer than that time, the bacteria will begin to die off. I don't know of many stores that do not restock their products more regularly than that but it can happen.

So in reality, some people just like to play it safe. There's no harm in cycling the "old" way and there is no harm in using the quick-cycle products, so long as you know there is a chance that they may not work.

(disclaimer: I'm basing this off of my FW knowledge, SW may be entirely different)

No problem. I personally like to see new fishkeepers take a stab at fishless cycling as its a very interesting and informative experience.

Alright, I should probably leave the SW forum now...it's scary here!

i called the biospira company while back and they told me that in reality, with the use of their product, the new tank cycles in 14 days. that what their studies showed. people did come up with medications for illnesses, but they need time to work too.

ehh, if it aint broke dont fix it, waiting sucks but its worth it

That bio-spira stuff needs a place to latch on. You still need the rock for the surface area in order to maintain it.

I've used Bio-Spira in freshwater before. I forget my ammonia readings, I had no nitrites or nitrates. I added it 10 minutes after I received it, the following morning my tank was fully cycled with something like 10ppm nitrates and it never went through a detectable mini-cycle after that.

I think it's all about shipping & shelf life for a product like that.

i have used it to save 5 tanks , all i had at the time,.. that had crashed overnight, i did a water change and my well water ph had changed and crashed every tank i was in dier need i used biospira and fritzyme both they both worked great on amm, and biospira did better with the nitrIte than fritzyme,.. but both kept the levels under the danger stage,.. so too me they were a God send,..
all freshwater though and i only lost 2 tiny angels that i had just gotten, the day before they were found dead the same time i found the tanks dead,.. but after the biospira nothing suffered OR died,......