Cycling Products!!!

[FireBallKY]

I just visited a LFS and was talking to them about doing the fishless ammonia cycling process. The owner pretty much said that this is not the way to go. I also asked about the Bio-Spira and he also rebuked this method. He introduced me to Nitromax,(which is what he uses), and explained it thoroughly and I have to agree with him since he has a degree in Marine Biology. Some of you might say that this was only a sales pitch but I only paid 10 bucks for what my tank required. I know...10 bucks is 10 bucks but still very inexpensive. You can also put the fish in after the 1st treatment as long as you follow through with the whole process.

The thing about Bio-Spira, he explained, Yes, it is a one time deal but the bacteria doesn't always hold and will die off in a week or so in some cases.

I was just wondering why I haven't heard anyone here mention Nitromax and if anyone had?

BTW, the shop is called Just Fish in Lexington, KY. I don't think he has a website or anything but I really like this place alot.

 

[daveedka]

I'd be at least very wary, I have never heard of nitromax, and therefore don't know if it does or doesn't work, but I do know that bio-spira does work, and that many folks here have used it repeatedly. The fact that he doesn't reccomend it would throw up some serious red flags for me. I also know that anyone who cautions against fishless cycling, either doesn't understand fishless cycling or is trying to sell you something. IT is not the only way to cycle a tank, but it is highly effective and extremely safe. As far as a degree in marine biology goes, that doesn't hold much weight for me, I know too many people with degrees that don't know or can't figure out anything.
Dave

 

[Harlock]

I'm with Daveedka on this one. What the fellow told you about Bio-Spira is flat out wrong. If Bio-Spira doesn't work it is because the bacteria were dead to begin with due to mishandling or poor temperature control somewhere along the way. If the nitrifying bacteria go in your tank, and there is an ammonia source present, they get to work and will only die back in that any extra bacteria that were in the Bio-Spira that your bioload couldn't support would of cours starve, while the rest did their thing, meaning the tank is cycled. To me he showed a clear misunderstanding of this product at least.

As for Nitromax it sounds like pure snake oil from everything I can fnid about it on the internet. It's one of those additives that keeps you coming back by directing you to use it with every water change, as if a water change would deplete your biofilter. That alone wreaks of cheap marketing tactics so strongly that I would avoid the product. Also, if he has a degree in marine biology, he is underemployed.

I did some Googling and mostly found places that carry Nitromax, a few people who said they use it, but with no evidence of it even speeding up a cycle, let alone cycling a tank as quickly as Bio-Spira can, one guy that asid he used ot for ten days and never saw a drop ni ammonia or nitrites and finally, one guy that claimed it cured his ich problem overnight. :laugh:

 

[Kasakato]

Theres all dumb ^. I doubt this stuff will work, Its better off in the garbage then in your tank. But by all means try it and tell us what happens.

 

[Karnaaj]

You'll want to keep your test kits handy so you can check your water quality frequently. That's the only way you'll be able to tell if it's working or not.

 

[beviking]

I'm curious too! A friend used Nitromax in his tank after thuroughly cleaning his Eheim 2028 (bleached the filter and hoses, rinsed media in chlorinated tap water). This is one of those ppl who has a WAY overstocked tank, changes water every couple months and has somehow managed NOT to have a serious die-off (unless he is just full of bs for over 5yrs!). He also does not use test kits so there was no way of knowing if it worked or not.
I recommended Bio-spira but he went with Nitromax instead...

 

[cbass179]

I used bio spira and it worked great for me. it only took 24 hours and my ammonia was gone, and 48 hours for the nitrite to disappear. As long as you keep it refrigerated, it will work.