View Full Version : Bio-Spira
Tinajo
12-30-2006, 1:07 PM
I just rec'd my packet in the mail today. I thought it was supposed to be refridgerated, but it doesn't say that anywhere on the package. It just says not to freeze or expose to heat. What is the correct way to store it until ready for use?
BioFilter
12-30-2006, 1:10 PM
Keep it in the fridge.
Malbri
12-30-2006, 1:16 PM
keep it in your fridge, it wont freeze in there
icecubez189
12-30-2006, 2:08 PM
you can keep biospira out for a couple of days without refrigeration, as long as the temps are below 80F. other than that and for prolonged storage, regular refrigeration is recommended.
BucJason
12-30-2006, 2:24 PM
I just rec'd my packet in the mail today. I thought it was supposed to be refridgerated, but it doesn't say that anywhere on the package. It just says not to freeze or expose to heat. What is the correct way to store it until ready for use?
Hopefully you had that package sent overnight or two-day air...otherwise the bacteria in it are probably already dead. Keep it in the fridge until ready to use.
NeonFlux
12-30-2006, 3:32 PM
I got a question... :Angel: So the bag is filled with the good bacteria?...I see. It causes a cycle in your new tank/used tank,right? So this BioSpira is good for hospital tanks possibly? Since small 10 gallon,5 gallon hospital tanks are usually not cycled. Literally, how do you use biospira?? Do you...simply pour it onto your tank water? Or do you pour it on your HOB filter's quilt battling,sponge,BIO-wheel,etc and many other types of filters out there.
Bio-Spira can be kept at room temperarture for over 6 months and still work.
Tinajo
12-30-2006, 4:42 PM
H3D, I figured it was okay outside the fridge, otherwise it would be marked as such. I bought it from Elmer's Aquarium online. They have a good reputation, right?
icecubez189
12-30-2006, 4:50 PM
when you cycle an aquarium, you are building the bacterias necessary for consuming ammonia and nitrites, which fish produce. Bio-Spira is basically a bag (or bottle depending on size) of that bacteria, so instead of waiting the usually 4-6 weeks, you can cycle in a couple of days or a week.
just pour it into your tank (follow direction on the bag) and not in your canister or on your biowheel or any of those. it does not speed up the cycling so don't do it. after adding biospira, you can add almost your entire stock of fish. the bacteria will come out hungry and need a food source and the fish produce the ammonia. in a couple of days you'll see ammonia levels rise (if it works, you won't see a dangerous level) as well as nitrItes, then both will fall and you'll start to see nitrAtes. at this point you do a PWC and you have a cycles tank.
H3D, I figured it was okay outside the fridge, otherwise it would be marked as such. I bought it from Elmer's Aquarium online. They have a good reputation, right?They are one of the best stores around where I live.
BucJason
12-30-2006, 4:53 PM
Ummmm yes it does need to be refidgerated. From Marineland themselves:
"BIO-Spira is a "live" bacteria culture that is sold refrigerated and must be kept refrigerated until used. It can not be overdosed. "
Read it about it from the horse's mouth here: http://www.marineland.com/products/mllabs/ml_biospira.asp
If you leave it out of the fridge more than a couple days the bacteria become active, and since no ammonia or nitrite is present inside the bag, they die.
Q: Does BIO-SpiraŽ need to be refrigerated?
A: BIO-SpiraŽ is an active bacteria culture. Refrigeration provides the optimal long-term storage. If BIO-SpiraŽ is left out of the refrigerator at room-temperature, it will still perform at optimal conditions. However, it is best to return BIO-SpiraŽ to refrigeration when possible. Use the following as a guide:
a. Long Term Storage (1 year): 50°F (10°C)
b. Mid Term Storage (6 months): 39°F-87°F (4°C-31°C)
Borrowed from:
http://www.marineland.com/cus_faq.asp#48
BioFilter
12-30-2006, 5:02 PM
Keep it in the fridge.
BucJason
12-30-2006, 5:04 PM
Q: Does BIO-SpiraŽ need to be refrigerated?
A: BIO-SpiraŽ is an active bacteria culture. Refrigeration provides the optimal long-term storage. If BIO-SpiraŽ is left out of the refrigerator at room-temperature, it will still perform at optimal conditions. However, it is best to return BIO-SpiraŽ to refrigeration when possible. Use the following as a guide:
a. Long Term Storage (1 year): 50°F (10°C)
b. Mid Term Storage (6 months): 39°F-87°F (4°C-31°C)
Borrowed from:
http://www.marineland.com/cus_faq.asp#48
Wow, that's the 1st I've ever seen of that. I've always just seen the 1st explanation ,that it needs to remain refridgerated to keep the bacteria in a dormant state. I also know of lots of people that have found thier bags of bio-spira ineffective after about a week of being out.
I would love to to hear thier explanation on how the bacteria stay alive in 87 degrees with nothing to eat for 6 months. I'd be willing to make a decent sized wager that that particular bag would have ZERO effect on your tank :)
At any rate, maybe you can be a Guniea pig...leave it out and tell us how it works !
icecubez189
12-30-2006, 5:17 PM
well obviously its best to keep it refrigerated to slow down their metabolism, but leaving it in room temperature for a couple of days won't kill all the bacteria as some people may assume. your friends may have gotten bad batches. Bio-spira has a very high success rate if shipped and used correctly.
BucJason
12-30-2006, 5:23 PM
well obviously its best to keep it refrigerated to slow down their metabolism, but leaving it in room temperature for a couple of days won't kill all the bacteria as some people may assume. your friends may have gotten bad batches. Bio-spira has a very high success rate if shipped and used correctly.
I agree totally. Could have been bad batches, and yours will probably be ok....but 6 months?? No freakin way. Sounds like a sales pitch to me. Anyone who knows anything about biology knows bacteria can't survive that long at that temp with nothing to eat.
I agree totally. Could have been bad batches, and yours will probably be ok....but 6 months?? No freakin way. Sounds like a sales pitch to me. Anyone who knows anything about biology knows bacteria can't survive that long at that temp with nothing to eat. The liquid in the bag contains nourishment for the bacteria.
NeonFlux
12-30-2006, 7:09 PM
when you cycle an aquarium, you are building the bacterias necessary for consuming ammonia and nitrites, which fish produce. Bio-Spira is basically a bag (or bottle depending on size) of that bacteria, so instead of waiting the usually 4-6 weeks, you can cycle in a couple of days or a week.
just pour it into your tank (follow direction on the bag) and not in your canister or on your biowheel or any of those. it does not speed up the cycling so don't do it. after adding biospira, you can add almost your entire stock of fish. the bacteria will come out hungry and need a food source and the fish produce the ammonia. in a couple of days you'll see ammonia levels rise (if it works, you won't see a dangerous level) as well as nitrItes, then both will fall and you'll start to see nitrAtes. at this point you do a PWC and you have a cycles tank.
Ah okay. I get the idea. Thanks. Btw whats a PWC
PWC = partial water change
BucJason
12-31-2006, 1:00 AM
Like i said , lets make a wager ...leave a bag out at 87 degrees for 6 months and I'll bet you any amount you can afford it won't do a **** thing...
Like i said , lets make a wager ...leave a bag out at 87 degrees for 6 months and I'll bet you any amount you can afford it won't do a **** thing...I do not need to wager. When Bio-Spira first came on to the market it was stored at room temperature and when sold and it still worked. They started selling it refrigerated to increase its shelf life.
BucJason
12-31-2006, 10:36 AM
Either that or they are just trying to avoid scaring customers and store owners into thinking this stuff is too fragile to bother keeping . If it doesn't need it, then why won't they allow stores to stock it unless they buy a special bio-spira fridge?? They could sell it on the shelf with expiration dates like these other bogus products( stability , etc.). 6 months is plenty of shelf-life. More stores would be able to carry it, and they'd make LOTS more money.
Who knows. I'm not arguing, you're right it might be ok.... all I know is I wouldnt trust it to cycle a new tank stocked with fish unless it was fresh and refridgerated.
and that wager still stands to anyone else that wants to take it :joke: