Fishless Cycling: I have Microbe-Lift Special Blend, should I use it?

[JCKey618]

Hi all,

I am on Day 2 of cycling my 55gal tank. I have the ammonia up to about 5ppm, heater to 82 degrees, some plants in, and a filter going. When I first bought the tank (two days ago) I was coaxed in to getting the Microbe-Lift Special Blend. I haven't used it because since I read that adding chemicals is not good and these things mostly don't work anyway. However, this says it has no chemicals.

Since I already purchased it, should I might as well use it? Can it do any harm?

Here's the product description: http://www.microbelift.com/products/home-aquarium/bacterial-products/special-blend/

Also, if i do add it, should I put it in the filter? How often should I use?

Apologies for all of the questions

 

[prober]

It won't hurt anything, and you can just dump it in. They make some pretty strong claims but everyone does, and how will anyone know if it worked? But since you bought it you might as well use it. If it actually makes your tank cycle faster let us know.

 

[BettaFishMommy]

took a look at your link there and IMO this product seems like a 'snake oil' of sorts. the list of things it does seems to me that the manufacturer is touting it as a cure-all for whatever ails your tank. the first two items on the list don't sit right with me at all. IMO there are no products or additives out there that can take the place of tank maintenance and water changes.

i personally wouldn't use it.

 

[Khemul]

Can you return it?

I agree with BettaFishMommy, it claims to do a suspiciously high amount of things for the tank. The claim of working on fresh AND salt water tanks is a bit odd too. I may be wrong here but as far as I know the bacteria for each water type shouldn't be able to cross over. Maybe they included both types, but that seems like it's a waste of potential marketing/space to do.

 

[JCKey618]

So, I went and used it after the first piece of advice. I figure if anything, I'll get a lot of dead bacteria.

However, it's a wonder no one has just looked at these things under a micrscope to see if the bacteria is still alive after you buy it. I found one video on YouTube but it was by the manufacturers (it did, however, show live bacteria straight out the bottle).