View Full Version : Bio-Spira vs. Stress Zyme
Kasakato
10-31-2004, 12:30 AM
Which product works better? I have a 20 g tank for about 12 hours now. There are no fish in it. If these products aren't good, I will have to do a fishless cycle.
chunksofpoooo
10-31-2004, 1:15 AM
Its all up to personal preference and personal experience. Anythings better than Cycle. Id go with Spira though http://fishstoretn.com/bio_spira.html, youd have to wait a while (nov 8th) before its available again. so you could use the stress zyme till then
Gunnie
10-31-2004, 8:55 AM
Bio Spira is the only true instant cycle product. I have used it 3 times with excellent results. You add the bio spira at the same time you add a full bio load of fish. My experience was always exactly as expected. The last time I used it was in an emergency situation in a 100 gal. tank, and I had to move all my fish to a 55 temporarily until the bio spira arrived 3 days later. I drained the 100 gal. after removing the fish, added new water, and let the filters run. When the bio spira arrived, I added it to the tank, and immediately added my 2 oscars, 2 jack dempseys, and 1 large pleco back into the tank. That was in June 2003, and I haven't had a problem since. Stress Zyme is not an instant cycle product. It may help accelerate the cycling process, but I would not recommend using it with a full bio load of fish. If you have another tank that is already cycled, you could also borrow some filter media, or gravel from the cycled tank to help you cycle your new tank.
russjet
11-01-2004, 7:10 AM
i want some biospira
anybody know if it is available in the uk
and if so where
Kasakato
11-01-2004, 8:02 AM
I want it in Canada! Can I put this stuff in, feeding it ammoina for a while?
Stress Zyme does nothing permanent for a tank so don't waste your money on it. If it a bacteria product that doesn't come refridgerated then stay away.
Kasakato
11-01-2004, 9:58 AM
I got a free sample, so I added some of it.
JSchmidt
11-01-2004, 1:15 PM
Note that Cycle and/or StressZyme will add nitrates to your tank, making it difficult to know how or if your cycle is progressing. If you show elavated nitrates, does that mean you have nitrifying bacteria or were they contained in the sample you added? That stuff is junk and it makes it trickier to know if you have a cycle occurring in your tank, IMO.
Jim
Kasakato
11-01-2004, 1:41 PM
Too late I have already add it
It won't hurt your fish but really won't do anything for the long term stability. Those products contain certain kinds of bacteria that eat ammonia. But not the long term colonizers that convert it to nitrite. That is why it is required to be added with every water change. A true bacteria product would be added one time (such as bio-spira) and never again. I wouldn't bother adding any more to your tank but wouldn't worry too much about the stuff you already added.
Gunnie
11-01-2004, 8:38 PM
Everything you'd ever want to know about bio spira (http://www.aquaria.info/index.php?name=PNphpBB2&file=viewtopic&t=7372)
Kasakato
11-01-2004, 9:34 PM
Too bad I cant get it here
russjet
11-02-2004, 6:06 AM
bio spira may be able to be shipped to you
http://www.fishstoretn.com/bio_spira.html
this address looks like it may be worth a try
although it is out of stock till 8th november
good luck hope it helps
am going to try and contact them and see if they can send it to uk within the timelimit of the cold packs although our weather may help there
Gunnie
11-02-2004, 6:35 AM
That link is where we have the gatherings every 3 months. I know Bernie personally and would highly recommend buying your bio spira from him. However, I asked him about a month ago if he still had the contact in the UK for selling bio spira, and he said it didn't work out. I know he has shipped outside of the U.S., but not sure where. I will ask him for you ;)
russjet
11-02-2004, 7:33 AM
that wsould be great thanks
Kasakato
11-02-2004, 4:25 PM
I will be doing a fishy cycle. As the ammoin I have does not show up on my test kit.
Gunnie
11-02-2004, 10:14 PM
That link is where we have the gatherings every 3 months. I know Bernie personally and would highly recommend buying your bio spira from him. However, I asked him about a month ago if he still had the contact in the UK for selling bio spira, and he said it didn't work out. I know he has shipped outside of the U.S., but not sure where. I will ask him for you ;)
Here's Bernie's response:
Gunnie, Yes..I can ship to the UK.
The site that was going to be a "middle-man" distributor isn't up;
but I can do it direct.
Global Priority runs usually about $9-12 (S/H) depending upon quantity ordered and usually gets there in about 5-7days depending upon customs
"delays"....but usually everything goes smoothly.
I wouldn't recommend shipping there during summer where delays may cause unnecessary heating probs; but this time of time is fine. We pack it
to keep stable temps for extended times. Remember that it doesn't need to be kept "ice-cold" ....just stable room temps are fine for short durations.
Next stock will be shipped out this coming week Nov 8 on until its sold out again; then I re-load each week.
Take care.
Bernie
I do know that Bernie has shipped many times to Canada also!
Kasakato
11-02-2004, 10:58 PM
hHow much for shipping? Will it still be cold when I get it?
russjet
11-03-2004, 6:55 AM
that is great thanks i will be putting my order in asap
russjet
11-03-2004, 3:29 PM
i have placed my order if this works out i will place his address on as many uk fish forums as i can find as thanks
and thank you gunnie for asking him for me it is very much appreciated by myself and my solitary neon :sad
as that is how many that are left now