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TarKettle asked in PetsFish · 1 decade ago

Have any of you ever used Bio-Spira to start a new aquarium?

I have never used it, but read that it works a lot faster than traditional cycling methods.

12 Answers

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  • 1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    Using 'fast cycling' bacterial supplements does help with new tanks, but you're still likely to experience ammonia spikes and other new-tank problems, so be sure you stock your tank slowly and monitor your ammonia levels.

  • Zoe
    Lv 6
    1 decade ago

    Yes, Bio-Spira works wonderfully. You can complete your initial cycle in less than a day (keep an eye on your ammonia and nitrite / nitrate levels, of course.)

    Bio Spira is the live bacteria needed to convert ammonia into less toxic nitrates. Add some Bio-Spira and some fish food (for an ammonia source.)

    Works like a charm :)

    Traditional methods of cycling like using a fish, or just adding ammonia daily, can take 2-5 weeks to be complete. Bio-Spira can take as little as a day. As with ANY method, stock your tank slowly, adding no more than 2-4 fish per week (ie add a pair of mollies one week, and 4 tetras the next week, and then 4 more tetra the week after)

    Products like Cycle that petstores typically sell at worthless. It's just the dead bacteria which does nothing but thin out your wallet.

  • 1 decade ago

    Bio Spira will grow in your aquarium even if you don't put it in their. The best thing to do is just to let your new aquarium sit for a month with one small fish in it and the bio spira will grow automatically how ever you should add fish slowly like maybe one or two fish every two weeks.

  • 1 decade ago

    The store I used to work in uses it religiously. Be sure to add some fish at the same time, or all the bacteria will go to waste. It is great stuff, and I think well worth the price. I would not however fully load your tank even with bio-spira, but it will let you put more fish in at one time than without it.

    Source(s): Former fish guy.
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  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    I have used Bio-Spira often. I love the product. It does cut the cycling part down a lot, but one of the previous posters are right. You still can see spikes using it. It also works great if your nitrate, PH are ok but ammonia is high.

    It's a great product and it's worth every penny in my book.

  • Drag as it is, Bio-Spira is illegal in Canada. We have issues with importing bacteria... I guess this makes sense. However I have heard wonderful things about this product... cycling tanks in 6 hours.. The stuff sounds great... I just wish that I could get my hands on some.

  • Ghapy
    Lv 7
    1 decade ago

    I've heard bio-spira is a pretty good product, but I wouldn't waste my money when every fish filter in the world has that same bacteria in it. Grab used media from a friend or local fish shop and put this into your own filter. Instant, free cycle.

  • ?
    Lv 4
    5 years ago

    Congrats on getting again into fish, i love it!! i comprehend after I were given again in (it replaced into with a 20L) I quickly got here upon that i could not get a huge adequate tank. Now i'm sitting the following with a 38 and a ninety and that i nevertheless want more beneficial ones. in any case, do not issue about the salt and the medication you are able to likely carry off on till your fish are sick. you'll want to get an outstanding fish nutrition, likely a flake like TetraMin. The chemical substances you'll want will be a chemical observed as "Cycle". examine the instructions and google "Fishless cycling". in case you want to speed up the approach, see in case you are able to't detect a sparkling/healthful fishtank and get the fellow to grant your a used filter out pad. you are able to upload fish and plant life after the cycling has been accomplished. To determin this, you'll likely want an worry-free try equipment. ascertain you get a "low mild" type of plant. in demand fish for a 12 gallon tank? Corydoras and both a school of small tetras (Flame Tetras or Neons), i ought to say guppies or glowfish are marvelous too. I also really like Kuhli loaches. The a million" in step with gallon rule is a prevalent rule yet there are diverse factors that can make it actual or no longer (volume of filtration, stay plant life, floor area, sorts of fish and their territory criteria, and so on... that's commonly an outstanding rule to attempt to adhere to once you're doing small community fish like tetras or danios.

  • 1 decade ago

    I haven't used it myself, but I have heard that it is the only product that really works. I've heard that you need to make sure that you buy it from a repitable dealer, and that they have kept it refidgerated. I've heard not to scrimp on the price, the cheeper it is, the more likly you'll wind up with a bunch of useless dead bacteria! oh yeah, and don't do a water change for at least a week after adding it, bc it needs some time to get established in the filter media and gravel! Good luck!

    Source(s): fishlore.com
  • 1 decade ago

    I have heard of things like that. A good thing to speed up the cycling process is ammonia. If Bio-Spira has ammonia in it I would assume it would work as well.

  • 1 decade ago

    I have never used the product myself, the pet store I go to told me that THEY never use additives in their own tanks, just aged water and frequent partial water changes. Since taking their advice ,I haven't lost a single fish.You might ask where you get your fish what they do in their store. With fish, I think patience pays off the best.Don't rush Mother Nature.

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