it seems that really all you need, just give me abag of grabel thats loaded with bactiera to put behind my filter and my tank is all set for angels right off the bat!
why dont they just sell cycled gravel?
- Thread starter Hans
- Start date
Cycled filter media would be substantially more effective.
And they do sell cycled gravel - it is called Eco-Complete.
And they do sell cycled gravel - it is called Eco-Complete.
Is Eco-Complete really cycled out of the bag? I always wondered how this was possible. I'll be using it in a new 30G tank that I'm putting together, but I didn't choose it for the bacterial advantages -- I figured that was all a bunch of marketing trickery. How would a bacterial colony survive? The stuff isn't refrigerated and has a relatively long shelf life. Seems that any food source would be used up pretty quickly. What am I missing?
I don't know if this is true for nitrifying bacteria, but bacterial colonies in general seem remarkably resiliant. With the exception of boiling, strong acid/base conditions or antibiotics/antiseptics bacterial colonies seem to be able to hibernate through some pretty tough conditions.
Agreed. Also, many LFSs will sell/give you some filter media from one of their tanks if you ask.
Tom
Good point. Seems like it might not be true for nitrifying bacteria, though, since Bio-Spira must be refrigerated, and the unrefrigerated alternatives have been shown to be mostly snake oil. Eco-Complete supposedly has "heterotrophic" bacteria colonies. What does that mean?
I don't think I've ever been shown a word for word definition, but from the useage I've seen:
A heterotroph is one who relies on other organisms their carbon/energy, like by eating them or their biproducts. An autotroph is a being which makes its own carbon/energy, like through photosynthesis.
In the case of Eco-complete, writing it down was 1 part accurate and 1 part using scientific buzz words for marketing.
A heterotroph is one who relies on other organisms their carbon/energy, like by eating them or their biproducts. An autotroph is a being which makes its own carbon/energy, like through photosynthesis.
In the case of Eco-complete, writing it down was 1 part accurate and 1 part using scientific buzz words for marketing.
I've heard Eco-Complete will help your tank cycle quicker since it has some water and bacteria in the bag already, but not that it would cycle your tank altogether.
Just try to get ahold of some Bio-Spira. That stuff is incredible.
Just try to get ahold of some Bio-Spira. That stuff is incredible.
Snake oil is all I can say.
You want to cycle a tank in 5min heavly plant it!
Otherwise just take your time and do it like everyone has for 50yrs light feedings and time.
Bacteria colonys change populations rapidly.
most who do a fishless dont add the full stock within two weeks of the finishing the cycle and the bacteria colonys revert back to the levels of bacteria the current stock/food input maintains.
Basicaly if you cycle with amonia finish then add say 10 fish to a 55 thinking your final stock will be 50 fish you wait a two weeks to a month.You want to add more at this piont the tank is now only cycled for those 10 fish you might as well have fish cycled.
And the constant doseing with prouducts like cycle is just a money trap.I think there are like 700 kinds of bacteria that breakdown ammonia you cant tell me your tank will be lacking denitification without their man made one added weekly.
We dont carry any of that stuff at work and we are the premier fish shop here in the mid west.
I wanted to give my two cents but feel like I just left the casino after that speach
You want to cycle a tank in 5min heavly plant it!
Otherwise just take your time and do it like everyone has for 50yrs light feedings and time.
Bacteria colonys change populations rapidly.
most who do a fishless dont add the full stock within two weeks of the finishing the cycle and the bacteria colonys revert back to the levels of bacteria the current stock/food input maintains.
Basicaly if you cycle with amonia finish then add say 10 fish to a 55 thinking your final stock will be 50 fish you wait a two weeks to a month.You want to add more at this piont the tank is now only cycled for those 10 fish you might as well have fish cycled.
And the constant doseing with prouducts like cycle is just a money trap.I think there are like 700 kinds of bacteria that breakdown ammonia you cant tell me your tank will be lacking denitification without their man made one added weekly.
We dont carry any of that stuff at work and we are the premier fish shop here in the mid west.
I wanted to give my two cents but feel like I just left the casino after that speach