Tetra Safe Start

This is my process. Add water, dechlorinate, wait 24 hours, add light stocking of fish, add TSS, tank should be cycled in 7-10 days. Test to be sure.

just to add, to test water parameter in this 7-10 days and make water change as required.
 
I follow the instructions for a fishless cycle found here: http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=84598

I add the tetra safe start to help the fishless cycle along.

The bacteria in a bottle products do not cycle your tank in a day or two, it still takes time. The ammonia level is also likely to get to a dangerous level even with these products.

The tetra safe start only helps to speed the cycle up some, not eliminate it.

I would recommend a fishless cycle with tetra safe start over a cycle with fish in it and tetra safe start.

Better yet, if you have access to established filter media you can add that to your filter to greatly speed up the cycle and even add a fish or two from the start. Established filter media often works better than the bottles of bacteria.
 
Last edited:
Screw all of those supposed biofilter boosters or starters. Snake oil.

Just cycle your tank. Do it fishless. Or even better, get some "seed" by having a friend give you old filter media from a well established tank. I haven't cycled a system since I started in the hobby. Every new setup received "seed" from a currently running one. Haven't had a problem yet.
 
Screw all of those supposed biofilter boosters or starters. Snake oil.

Just cycle your tank. Do it fishless. Or even better, get some "seed" by having a friend give you old filter media from a well established tank. I haven't cycled a system since I started in the hobby. Every new setup received "seed" from a currently running one. Haven't had a problem yet.

:iagree: The best way to get a jump start on cyclng, just start stocking slowly, always tough waiting seems like waiting on Christmas when a kid.
 
Screw all of those supposed biofilter boosters or starters. Snake oil.

Just cycle your tank. Do it fishless. Or even better, get some "seed" by having a friend give you old filter media from a well established tank. I haven't cycled a system since I started in the hobby. Every new setup received "seed" from a currently running one. Haven't had a problem yet.

No offense, but that statement should be qualified. It's a general consensus that seeding a new tank with established biomedia is the best bet, but not everyone has access to it.

I've tested several various bacteria in a bottle products, and some do work reliably. I would be confident in using tetra safestart or possibly dr. tims (havent tested it yet but everything looks very qualified given his background) to cycle a tank.

It's not mermaid magic, proper nitrifying bacteria can be bottled and put on shelves. The hard part is finding a trustworthy or proven source.
 
No offense, but that statement should be qualified. It's a general consensus that seeding a new tank with established biomedia is the best bet, but not everyone has access to it.

I've tested several various bacteria in a bottle products, and some do work reliably. I would be confident in using tetra safestart or possibly dr. tims (havent tested it yet but everything looks very qualified given his background) to cycle a tank.

It's not mermaid magic, proper nitrifying bacteria can be bottled and put on shelves. The hard part is finding a trustworthy or proven source.


I assume you mean I should qualify the statement about the "snake oil"? If that is the case, you have me there...it was rather a hasty generalization.

I'll go with this: many of the so-called nitrifying bacteria in a bottle products simply don't work. Those that do, do...but they are somewhat unreliable in the fact that many factors from shipping to storage can either greatly reduce or even kill off the bacteria. That makes it a bit of a risky venture if someone is planning to use it to start a tank where they expect to stock well from day one. So I would say if you do plan to use this method, do be extremely careful.

I stand by the patience factor. It will reward you and guarantee a safe start.
 
AquariaCentral.com