That is only true for a fishless cycle, this person is wanting to do a fishy cycle, in which case it is imperative that you keep the ammonia and nitrites below .25
Thats why you use something to remove toxic chemicals like Aqua safe.
FISHIE CYCLE, getting conflicting info, please help!!!!!!!
- Thread starter PPOHolbrook
- Start date
That is only true for a fishless cycle, this person is wanting to do a fishy cycle, in which case it is imperative that you keep the ammonia and nitrites below .25
Thats why you use something to remove toxic chemicals like Aqua safe.
I'm pretty new at this too, I heard and took a lot of advice. Most didn't work until someone told me to only do partial water changes, which i did every week 20-25 percent. The other thing i did, or didn't do, was touch my filters. I haven't cleaned them in awhile and when I do I plan to only rinse them in siphoned tank water. Anyway, the moral to the story is this, until I left my tank filters alone my tank wouldn't cycle, and while you have ammonia make sure to do reg water changes.
Change as much water out as needed to get your ammonia and or nitrites to .25 or below. Water changes are you best friend. Be sure to dechlor your wate BEFORE putting it in the tank, and if you are using a python, add enough dechlor to your tank for the whole tnak (not just the amount of water you are changing) before you put the new water in.
The only products out there that completely remove ammonia from your tank are the kind such as ammo-chips you put in your filter. Other products such as ammo-lock that you put in your tank water detoxify the ammonia, however leave it available for your bacteria to consume. I highly suggest you just stay on top of water changes and leave the chemicals, other than water conditioner, out of the equation.
As far as cleaning your filter media, clean it as often as needed by swishing it around in old tank water. You will not harm your bacteria by doing this, they may enjoy a fresh bath
. The bacteria are firmly attached to your filter media once they are established.
Blue
The only products out there that completely remove ammonia from your tank are the kind such as ammo-chips you put in your filter. Other products such as ammo-lock that you put in your tank water detoxify the ammonia, however leave it available for your bacteria to consume. I highly suggest you just stay on top of water changes and leave the chemicals, other than water conditioner, out of the equation.
As far as cleaning your filter media, clean it as often as needed by swishing it around in old tank water. You will not harm your bacteria by doing this, they may enjoy a fresh bath
. The bacteria are firmly attached to your filter media once they are established.Blue
I am getting more and more info, thanks!!!!!!!!
REDDOG. I talked to several people about using BIO-SPIRA-have not heard of Turbo Fritz. SOme say it works pretty good and others say it is flop.
Anyone ever used Eco-Start or Stability?? I am thinking maybe just do water changes!!!!!!!!!!! We shall see once ammonia starts kicking in this thing. It is back up and running with the danios right now.
Brian
REDDOG. I talked to several people about using BIO-SPIRA-have not heard of Turbo Fritz. SOme say it works pretty good and others say it is flop.
Anyone ever used Eco-Start or Stability?? I am thinking maybe just do water changes!!!!!!!!!!! We shall see once ammonia starts kicking in this thing. It is back up and running with the danios right now.
Brian
Fritz Zyme is similar to Cycle it contains the proper ammonia eating bacteria, but not the proper nitrite eating bacteria. Not worth buying IMO.
http://www.fritzpet.com/nitrifying_bacteria_main.html
http://www.fritzpet.com/nitrifying_bacteria_main.html
I am only familiar with the two (bio-spira & fritz turbo start) both have worked for people I know personally, It helped "kick start" the bacteria growth. I recommended fishless cycle, why put your fish and yourself through the stress involved if you do it right. With fishy cycles you only save about 2 weeks as opposed to fishless cycle, and your not fully stocked. Just MO.
-Red
Alot of times it can increase the time it takes the tank to cycle. Why? Because you are having to do 50% water changes everyday just to keep the ammonia and nitrite spikes ( which WILL come) at a level where your fish won't die, just live in agony, for the sole purpose of producing the same waste ( ammonia) that you can buy at any grocery store for 2 bucks. All these constant water changes can cause all kinds of imbalances.
There is no benefit to cycling with fish. It's more work, and frankly it's just stupid...
trust me ,I learned it the hard way. The only REAL reason people do it is:
1= ignorance
2= they are too impatient to stare at an empty tank for 5 weeks or so.
If you insist on buying fish right away, at least don't be cheap and buy Bio-spira.
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Hi Brian!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bio-spira is special in that it's actual live bacteria ready to eat and not whatever is in products like Stability and Cycle.
