New tank and Bio Spira

[hitch]

Has anyone used Bio Spira to cycle their new tank in 24 hrs?
http://www.marineland.com/products/m...L_biospira.asp
My LFS swears by it as they service aquariums all over Phoenix.
I have tried it on my new FOWLR 25Gal and have just added Damsels.
I am going to test the water tonight.
It seems to good to be true to be able to completely cycle a tank in 24 hrs.

 

[kdfrosty]

If you have to ask this question, it means that you have some doubt. Go the sure fire way, and use raw cocktail shrimp. It's proven.
One thing to keep in mind is that PATIENCE IS KEY in this hobby. Personally I would never use that stuff no matter who attested to its effectiveness.

 

[snipe]

It is too good to be true. One reason you dont have nothing for the bacteria to eat in a "new" tank. The bacteria then starves and dies causing an amonia spike. This stuff works in older tank since there is waste from poo and such for the bacteria to eat. Though if your using this in your tank because you have to mutch waste then you have to many fish.
Only thing its good for is to replenish the bacteria after say a cleaning that might kill the bacteria.

 

[hitch]

I see, that makes sense Snipe..
Well, I'll letcha all know how it goes..
Thanks

 

[4fun]

Originally Posted by Hitch
Has anyone used Bio Spira to cycle their new tank in 24 hrs?
http://www.marineland.com/products/m...L_biospira.asp
My LFS swears by it as they service aquariums all over Phoenix.
I have tried it on my new FOWLR 25Gal and have just added Damsels.
I am going to test the water tonight.
It seems to good to be true to be able to completely cycle a tank in 24 hrs.

I cycled my tank with Bio Spira and damsels! I know not a good idea, but I did not know any better and went by what LFS told me. Since then found this website, thank goodness. Lost 5 of the damsels in the first week, tested water everyday and never really had any major spikes like you read about, added a goby 3 weeks after setting up tank and he is doing fine 3 months later. I have not really had any problems with water conditions in the past 3 months as well.
Did it work.... not sure, all I can say is "I did not have a 6 week cycle". If you do decide to use it, I would not add fish within 24 hours or for several weeks for that matter.
Good luck

 

[hitch]

I did add the Damsels already.. Exerything looks good so far..
The Damsels are fiesty and they try to intimidate anyone who looks at them very closely.. It is rather funny.. The LFS had the yellow-tail damsels for 3 for $10 so if they die its not a huge money loss.
Is it normal for Damsels to gang up on one of their own?
One of them is constantly being chased to the top corner of the tank by the other two..
The LR is great and has many damsel-size holes to hide in, but they don't seem to like to share.. :notsure:

 

[4fun]

Yes they gang up on each other, IMO the weakest ones will be the first to go..... You will be left with one mean ass fish! Better plan on getting big aggressive tank mates for him!

 

[crazyaqua]

Yeah they are really mean fish. Most likely they will all fight to the death so you may have one left when its all said and done. They are really territoral too once they setup there own spot they wont budge even when i clean and stuff i have had a couple try and go for my fingers

 

[hitch]

The olny time they seem to tolerate the third damsel is when they all eat..
BTW: I know this is a bit off topic, but what is the best dry flake, morsel, etc to feed small fish?
I can't see throwing in a whole frozen cube for 3 little damsels.

 

[snipe]

I want to reply to (my tank didnt take 6 weeks to cycle though). Mine didnt either it took 2 weeks and I used 4 shrimp!!! As I said I would only use the bacteria to replenish media after cleaning even then I wouldnt over due on it. This is tested probly just like the fish method the only way the fish method is ment to cycle is to get a full tank of fish "your length limit maxed out" over feed the fish and then when the fish die they help the cycle also. The biospira is probly ment for large bioload setups and not for a few fish because it will do what I said above.
As for food I would go to your local grocer to the saltwater food section and buy saltwater meat like shrimp, crab, silverside, clam, squid. That sorta stuff take it out and use a knife cut off what you need. For flakes I would search online (google) for a store that sells food and the flakes (Need) to be for saltwater fish not freshwater.