Bio-Spira has failed?

[Roan Art]

Fishle,

Obviously you didn't do any searches on here in regards to using Bio Spira, eh? This has all been posted before, including the 48 hours.

Believe what you want. I stand by what I said.

Roan

 

[Fishle]

Roan Art, Obviously I'm not as good as you. BTW, I made a mistake, the advice I got about not adding the fish all at once was from people at fishforums not this board. Anyways, how about trying to help and offer solutions rather than acting elitist and condescending. Otherwise don't bother.

 

[dalto]

Regardless of the reason, if the bio-spira hasn't produced nitrites by now, it is all long dead. I have used bio-spira 6 times and in EVERY case bio-spira has produced nitrites within 24 hours. It has typically taken less than two weeks to cycle fully.

At this point, you essentially have an unclycled tank with lots of fish in it. You can wait for it to cycle normally, add more bio-spira, relocate your fish or some combination of these options. Given your PH of 8.0, 0.75ppm of ammonia should be fairly uncomfortable if not toxic for your fish. For comparison purposes, my PH is about the same as yours and I lost several fish with 0.5ppm of ammonia.

 

[Fishle]

Thanks dalto. I think the best way to go is to just get more Bio-Spira this way it will cycle quickly and the fish will not be uncomfortable for as long. Let's say that the Stress Coat did in fact kill the Bio-Spira. Does this mean I need to do a 100% water change before adding more Bio-Spira or has it been long enough since I used the Stress Coat (11 days) that it won't harm the Bio-Spira?

If I have to do a 100% water change then I'm gonna have to but all 13 fish in a 10 gallon tank temporarily since that's all I have other than the 75g. If I do this and then refill the 75g and treat it with Prime, how long until I can add the Bio-Spira and put the fish back in?

 

[Roan Art]

Roan Art, Obviously I'm not as good as you. BTW, I made a mistake, the advice I got about not adding the fish all at once was from people at fishforums not this board.Anyways, how about trying to help and offer solutions rather than acting elitist and condescending. Otherwise don't bother.

You said you were acting on advice given here, which I took exception to because I know I and other people here wouldn't steer you wrong, and you call me elitist and condescending?

After a comment like that, I won't bother.


Roan

 

[icecubez189]

at first i was a bit sceptical in using Bio-Spira to cycle my tank, but after doing a lot of research and asking questions here in the forums, i knew a bit more about the use of it.

i couldn't find Bio-Safe water conditioner but Prime was the other reccommended conditioner and so i used that one. also, i was told to add the fish all at once and i did. roan art and others were extremely helpful in letting me know the steps to be taken when using bio-spira, as well as Marineland's website.

next time, ask questions on the forums and check out Marinelands Bio-Spira Q&A!!!!

 

[Akysten]

Fishle,

Funny thing about fish boards, and even your LFS... for each question, there seem so to be an infinite number of answers! Several conflict each other... Example? I've had people tell me that a planted tank is great for cycling, and another experienced person tell me that they never cycle with plants as they use up ammonia and prevent the bacteria from taking hold. I've seen one source recommend a salt bath for ICH and another say that it's ineffective and a myth. The moral is, for any question, there seems to be an infinite number of answers... it's just some are just bad advice.

With Bio Spira is really is best start with a decent amount of fish, you just bought enough ammonia to help cycle, say, a 1/2 of a full load(just a guess) and you stocked it with one fish. He's not enough to keep the large amount of bacteria alive! So they start to die off the support that one fish, then you add more fish, and they have to "culture" on their own in order to catch up... in another mini cylce.

Now, adding a few fish at a time is a good idea when you're doing a regular fishy cycle(once it's cycled) It's sort of the opposite, you've used one fish to establish a cycle with just ONE fish... then you add two more, and give it time for the bacteria to catch up.

While this doesn't solve your problem, it doesn't help you in the future.

I'll tell you this: I don't think you killed the bio spira, I think you delayed it a bit. If it were me, I wouldn't panic unless your ammonia started reading above 1ppm with no nitrites. HOWEVER, it never hurts to buy more Bio Spira if it makes you feel better.

I hope this helps!

 

[dalto]

I'll tell you this: I don't think you killed the bio spira, I think you delayed it a bit.

Its been 8 days without Nitrite or Nitrate development. Even a normal cycle without bio-spira would start showing nitrite development soon.

If it were me, I wouldn't panic unless your ammonia started reading above 1ppm with no nitrites.

At a PH of 8.0 and a temperature of 77f prolonged exposure to 1ppm of ammonia would be toxic to many fish.

Here is a decent reference article on ammonia toxicity:
http://www.dataguru.org/misc/aquarium/AmmoniaTox.html

I would recommend a 50% water to change to reduce ammonia levels if you have not already done so. Also, if you can afford it, adding more bio-spira couldn't hurt.

 

[Alestro Bakai]

To prevent the DOA possibility, (or even if not DOA, then possibly less potent) I usually buy two packs of Bio Spira... from two different stores. I add pack 1 on the first day, add the fishies, couple days later I check ammo, nitrites and nitrates. If they aren't anywhere where I'd like them to be, I add pack 2. I don't think I've ever cycled a tank with 1 pack in 24 hours. No wait, I did do it once... but usually I need 2 packs.

 

[tonytheboss1]

BIO-Spira is a "live" bacteria culture that is sold refrigerated and must be kept refrigerated until used. It can not be overdosed. Repeated dosing of your aquarium with ammonia removing liquids (such as BIO-Safe, Amquel, Ammo-lock and Aqua-Safe) can inhibit the beneficial action of BIO-Spira. Ammonia removing liquids should only be used to initially treat tap water. It is normal to have a small (<2 ppm) amount of ammonia or nitrate during the first few days after set-up. These concentrations are not harmful and will quickly drop to zero with proper use of BIO-Spira.

For new aquariums, first condition water with BIO-Safe™. Adjust aquarium water temperature. Add BIO-Spira™ and BIO-Coat™ along with fish. See your retailer for advice on the number of fish appropriate the size of your aquarium. BIO-Spira may also be added with each water change, when adding additional fish, and established aquaria that are experiencing water quality problems due to disruption of the bio-filter.

Shake well before each use. Use 1 ounce (29.6 ml) of BIO-Spira per 30 gallons of water. BIO-Spira cannot be overdosed. Keep refrigerated. Be sure to shut off any UV sterilizers and remove medication by means of a water change or activated carbon.

:read: The above info is taken directly from MarineLand's (Bio-spira mfg.) site. Similar info is printed on every pkg. Yes, I know it's 'after the fact' but I'm making this point not just for you, Fishle, but for others. It is very important that this product be used as directed. Failure to do so could result in not only loss of the 'bacteria' but undue stress & possible death of your fish. It's best that you don't 'short-cut', 'side-step' or improvise. Those of you w/ degrees in environmental microbiology --- well maybe you can 'tinker', but for the rest of us mere mortals (myself included) lets just follow the directions that Dr. Timothy A. Hovanec layed out. After all 10+ years of DNA sequencing, bacterial cloning & microbacterial research can't be all wrong!!
Works great!!! Condition your water, add bio-spira, add your fish - all in one shot.
Good Luck