Cycling - Lost Patience

[[email protected]]

After three weeks, and I lost count of how many water changes, I finally
gave up on the traditional cycling routine. My poor fish have been suffering
long enough in the Nitrite AND Nitrate rich tank. Made the trip down to a
well supplied aquarium store. The Lady I talked to seemed very knowledgable.
She said that my tank was most likely crashing against itself. Her reasoning
seemed logical, so I decided on a whole new aproach.
I bought a whole new filter system with larger pump, bio wheel attachment,
gravel filter and interchangeable filters (micron, carbon, DE etc). Also
bought a packet of Bio Spira. I like to be traditional in most things, but
science does not lie. I read the scientific papers, evaluated the
processes, and after several days of reading, decided to take the plunge
with my money.
I spent the whole day cleaning up the old undergravel remains, stripped
the whole tank down but kept the water. I don't know if that was a good
move or not, but time will tell. I know I had some of the good bacteria
growing, but not enough. The bad bugs seemed to be getting all the oxygen.
I'll let you know how this goes. I'm hoping it all balances out in a few
days. Sharky and Face are hanging tough, but I'd prefer them to not have
to endure this routine. If this doesn't work out, I'm going to tear it
down again and do a COMPLETE do over. Time will tell!

--
With all due respect
Kevin

[Charles]

On Sun, 11 Dec 2005 06:16:44 GMT, wrote:

>After three weeks, and I lost count of how many water changes, I finally
>gave up on the traditional cycling routine. My poor fish have been suffering
>long enough in the Nitrite AND Nitrate rich tank. Made the trip down to a
>well supplied aquarium store. The Lady I talked to seemed very knowledgable.
>She said that my tank was most likely crashing against itself. Her reasoning
>seemed logical, so I decided on a whole new aproach.
> I bought a whole new filter system with larger pump, bio wheel attachment,
> gravel filter and interchangeable filters (micron, carbon, DE etc). Also
> bought a packet of Bio Spira. I like to be traditional in most things, but
> science does not lie. I read the scientific papers, evaluated the
> processes, and after several days of reading, decided to take the plunge
> with my money.
> I spent the whole day cleaning up the old undergravel remains, stripped
> the whole tank down but kept the water. I don't know if that was a good
> move or not, but time will tell. I know I had some of the good bacteria
> growing, but not enough. The bad bugs seemed to be getting all the oxygen.
> I'll let you know how this goes. I'm hoping it all balances out in a few
> days. Sharky and Face are hanging tough, but I'd prefer them to not have
> to endure this routine. If this doesn't work out, I'm going to tear it
> down again and do a COMPLETE do over. Time will tell!


throw in a handful of egeria. It eats ammonia.

[[email protected]]

Thanks for the tip. I'll keep that in mind once I get a heavier load on the
tank. The bugs are taking care of the Amonia so far. Just seams to have
gotten stuck at the nitrite to nitrate stage.

--
With all due respect
Kevin

[Charles]

On Sun, 11 Dec 2005 06:50:44 GMT, wrote:

>Thanks for the tip. I'll keep that in mind once I get a heavier load on the
>tank. The bugs are taking care of the Amonia so far. Just seams to have
>gotten stuck at the nitrite to nitrate stage.


If I remember right, at three weeks that's about where you should be.
I don't cycle, I use plants, algae and others.

[NanK]

If your pet store sells STABILITY, I recommend it wholeheartedly. It
has saved me twice in the past two years!

n


wrote:
> Thanks for the tip. I'll keep that in mind once I get a heavier load on the
> tank. The bugs are taking care of the Amonia so far. Just seams to have
> gotten stuck at the nitrite to nitrate stage.
>

[[email protected]]

Yippeeeeeeeee,
The tank finally made it through the initial cycle, and is now at zero
nitrites. I was beggining to think it would never happen. That Bio Spira
is worth every cent. Now all I need is a few water changes to get the
nitrates back down, and everything should be just fine.

--
With all due respect

[Koi-lo]

> wrote in message
...
> Yippeeeeeeeee,
> The tank finally made it through the initial cycle, and is now at zero
> nitrites. I was beggining to think it would never happen. That Bio Spira
> is worth every cent. Now all I need is a few water changes to get the
> nitrates back down, and everything should be just fine.
================================
GOOD DEAL!!!! :-) I'm going to look for this product in my local stores
and mail-order aquarium catalogs.

BTW I bought 2 new ronchu (sp?) or lionheads this week. What an addiction
these fancy goldfish are.
--

Koi-Lo.... frugal ponding since 1995...
My Pond & Aquarium Pages:
http://bellsouthpwp.net/s/h/shastadaisy
~~~ }<((((o> ~~~ }<{{{{o> ~~~ }<(((((o>

[Steve]

Koi-lo wrote:
>
> > wrote in message
> ...
>
>> Yippeeeeeeeee,
>> The tank finally made it through the initial cycle, and is now at zero
>> nitrites. I was beggining to think it would never happen. That Bio Spira
>> is worth every cent. Now all I need is a few water changes to get the
>> nitrates back down, and everything should be just fine.
>
> ================================
> GOOD DEAL!!!! :-) I'm going to look for this product in my local
> stores and mail-order aquarium catalogs.
>
> BTW I bought 2 new ronchu (sp?) or lionheads this week. What an
> addiction these fancy goldfish are.

Why bother with bottled bacteria if you already have established
aquariums or ponds? Just use some filter media, mulm, etc from your
existing setups!

I can see Bio Spira etc perhaps being useful for one's very first aquarium.
Steve

[Marco Schwarz]

Hi

> Why bother with bottled bacteria if you already have
> established aquariums or ponds? Just use some filter
> media, mulm, etc from your existing setups!

If available.

> I can see Bio Spira etc perhaps being useful for one's
> very first aquarium.

But _many_ beginners start tanks in this way!

@ Koi-lo:

Please be so kind to tell us about your impressions using
BioSpira, thanks. At the moment it doesn't seem to be known
or available in Germany.

--
cu
Marco

[Steve]

Marco Schwarz wrote:
> Hi
>
>
>>Why bother with bottled bacteria if you already have
>>established aquariums or ponds? Just use some filter
>>media, mulm, etc from your existing setups!
>
>
> If available.
>

Yes, I believe Koi-lo has posted pictures of her ponds and talked of her
aquariums. So why would she bother with bottled bacteria?
Steve

>
>>I can see Bio Spira etc perhaps being useful for one's
>>very first aquarium.
>
>
> But _many_ beginners start tanks in this way!
>
> @ Koi-lo:
>
> Please be so kind to tell us about your impressions using
> BioSpira, thanks. At the moment it doesn't seem to be known
> or available in Germany.
>

[Koi-lo]

"Steve" > wrote in message
.. .
> Koi-lo wrote:
>>
>> > wrote in message
>> ...
>>
>>> Yippeeeeeeeee,
>>> The tank finally made it through the initial cycle, and is now at zero
>>> nitrites. I was beggining to think it would never happen. That Bio
>>> Spira
>>> is worth every cent. Now all I need is a few water changes to get the
>>> nitrates back down, and everything should be just fine.
>>
>> ================================
>> GOOD DEAL!!!! :-) I'm going to look for this product in my local
>> stores and mail-order aquarium catalogs.
>>
>> BTW I bought 2 new ronchu (sp?) or lionheads this week. What an
>> addiction these fancy goldfish are.
>
> Why bother with bottled bacteria if you already have established aquariums
> or ponds? Just use some filter media, mulm, etc from your existing setups!

Because they don't always "take" for some reason. It would probably keep
ammonia at zero when I clean the betta bowls where there's always a rise in
ammonia for a few days.

> I can see Bio Spira etc perhaps being useful for one's very first
> aquarium.
> Steve

I just had a tank where the "used and seeded" sponges from an established
tank failed to take. I even added live plants from the established tank,
yet the ammonia zoomed and stayed high. It was pretty disappointing and
aggravating. :-(
--
Koi-Lo.... frugal ponding since 1995...
Aquariums since 1952
My Pond & Aquarium Pages:
http://bellsouthpwp.net/s/h/shastadaisy
~~~ }<((((o> ~~~ }<{{{{o> ~~~ }<(((((o>

[Koi-lo]

"Marco Schwarz" > wrote in message
...
> Hi
>
>> Why bother with bottled bacteria if you already have
>> established aquariums or ponds? Just use some filter
>> media, mulm, etc from your existing setups!
>
> If available.
>
>> I can see Bio Spira etc perhaps being useful for one's
>> very first aquarium.
>
> But _many_ beginners start tanks in this way!
>
> @ Koi-lo:
>
> Please be so kind to tell us about your impressions using
> BioSpira, thanks. At the moment it doesn't seem to be known
> or available in Germany.
=========================
I will report *here* if it works, ....as soon as I can find it where I live.
It would come in very handy when I start a new 150 gallon goldfish breeding
or grow-out pool outside. I don't always have enough used filter material
to give them a good bacterial start.
--
Koi-Lo.... frugal ponding since 1995...
Aquariums since 1952
My Pond & Aquarium Pages:
http://bellsouthpwp.net/s/h/shastadaisy
~~~ }<((((o> ~~~ }<{{{{o> ~~~ }<(((((o>

[Koi-lo]

"Steve" > wrote in message
...
> Marco Schwarz wrote:
>> Hi
>>
>>
>>>Why bother with bottled bacteria if you already have
>>>established aquariums or ponds? Just use some filter
>>>media, mulm, etc from your existing setups!
>>
>>
>> If available.
>>
>
> Yes, I believe Koi-lo has posted pictures of her ponds and talked of her
> aquariums. So why would she bother with bottled bacteria?
> Steve
===============================================
See my other message. Seeded sponges and a cup of seeded gravel don't
always "take" and do the job. Maybe the bacteria die in the slightly
different water. Maybe there isn't enough for the size of the "new" set-up.
Who knows? I would definitely use it in new outdoor setups.
--
Koi-Lo.... frugal ponding since 1995...
Aquariums since 1952
My Pond & Aquarium Pages:
http://bellsouthpwp.net/s/h/shastadaisy
~~~ }<((((o> ~~~ }<{{{{o> ~~~ }<(((((o>

[[email protected]]

Hi Steve,
This is a first tank for me. I looked high and low, and none of my friends
are into aquaria. Had to go the long route, but I got there. This product
is great for situations like mine. :)

--
With all due respect
Kevin

[[email protected]]

Hi Group,
I have to admit that I am VERY new to the whole aquatica thing, so I
barely understand all this biological techno stuff. But for anyone who
wants to learn more about this product, and the research that lead to it's
development, go the the Marineland website, and look under the Doctors
section. It gives you articles, pear reviewed papers and other information
that goes way deeper than I ever want to go into molecular genetics etc.
Here is the link

http://aolsearch.aol.com/aol/redir?src=websearch&requestId=6433d320c59c6301&clickedItemRank=3&userQuery=marineland&clickedItemURN=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.marineland.com%2F&title=Marineland+Aquarium+Products

When I bought mine, the lady at the store asked me what size tank I was
working with. It seems this stuff is very perishable, as it is kept in a
refrigerator. So they sell you the exact quantity you need for a given use.
The shelf life is only a few weeks at best. It also states on the package
that you can't overdose the product, so if you use too much, the remainder
just dies off and gets filtered out in time. One of the best things about
it, is the way it helps to isolate your new tank/pond from any chance of
transferring infectious diseases. I hear the nasty bugs are hard to get rid
of once you have them. I don't want to find out the hard way.

If anyone else tries this stuff, let us know what your results are. I
started using it in the middle of the cycle, when my tank got stuck in the
Nitrite stage. It only took 3 days to do the job for me. After two 25%
water changes, my nitrates are even getting down to a reasonable level.

I do have a question regarding salt, but I'll put that in a separate post.
Thanks again for the help!

--
With all due respect
Kevin

[[email protected]]

from a previous poster was this summary of its use.

OK Summarizing...

20 gallon tank, "a few plants"
Mardel Labs test kits
Temp?
pH / kh / gh ?
Phosphate level?
DO2 level?

Day NH3 NO2 NO3
-1: - Set up tank 5 inches of fish added
0: - Add BIO-Spira
1 - Add 6 inches of fish, MTSs and ghost shrimp
2 -
3 0 - -
4 0 - -
6 0 <1 <20
8 0 2-3 20
9 0 1-2 20-30
10 0 0 20-30

(- denotes no recorded test)

Do I have it correct(ly)?
What else are you using: Dechlor? Conditioner? pH adjustment?

-Donald
--
"When you've lost your ability to laugh, you've lost your ability to
think straight." -To Inherit the Wind


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