Biospira

[Mooch]

I've decided to buy a new tank and, I've heard all about Bio-Spira but haven't used it yet. If anyone has used it could you give me some testimonials on it and also the store you bought it at because I'm having trouble finding it.

[JNevaril]

I've never used it, but from what I've HEARD, it's crap.

So, it'd be like.....buying a teeny bottle of water that'll do zilch and dumping it in.

you'd be better off setting it up new, and stealing some filter media from one of your established tanks, and chucking in maybe even a handful of gravel from an established tank to jump start your cycle. The bacteria you're looking for is in the filter media and gravel of your cycled tanks. Don't waste your money!!! Save it for fish!!!

[Mooch]

Thanks for the info, I usually would just let it cycle with my gravel or media but I was being lazy and wanted to see if I could take a shortcut. Since I've read a lot of good reviews on it I'm gonna see what other firsthand feedback I can get and decide from there. Thanks again

[homebunnyj]

Wow... I never heard that before. I know some members here have used it, though. And I understand that if you don't follow the directions that it is a waste, but if I were starting up a new tank without having an established tank to grab some media from, I'd give it a try. However, having established tanks, I'd rather move some media for free than pay ten or so bucks for biospira.
Where in nc are you, Mooch? I'm in the Asheville area, and so are several other members.

[Toam]

I've never used Bio Spira myself either, but it is the only product I've heard that does work when it comes to cycling. You just have to be exact to the instructions.

[PlecoCollector]

I've used Bio Spira to cycle two tanks and have no complaints. You can't overdose on the stuff, so I'd suggest getting a little more than you need (i.e. Each pack treats 30 gallons of water, so for a 40g tank, you should use 2 packs fully, not just one pack and half the other). You can start adding fish right away (though it's best to wait about a day). With Bio Spira, fish should be added slowly (don't fully stock a tank in a day). Maybe start with a couple smaller fish and add one or two every week until you're up to full stock.

And as far as I know, "Cycle" is the crap product. Bio Spira is the only one proven to work.

[Mooch]

Thanks for all the responses guys and to answer your question homebunnyj I'm in the Clemmons area

[Igor The Cat]

Originally Posted by PlecoCollector

Bio Spira is the only one proven to work.

I agree that cycle doesnt work but i would like to add the Seachem Stability really does work, but not as fast as Bio-Spira as it takes a week....but it is a lot cheaper...so far Bio-Spira and Seachem Stability are the only ones that ive heard work and ive had personal experiance with Stability

[noncentric]

The main thing about Bio-Spira is that it needs to be kept refrigerated before being used. So make sure the store is storing it correctly, and make sure that you don't wait too long before going home...like shopping for another hour, seeing a movie, and having dinner. Otherwise, bring a cooler and put the packet in there after you buy it.

It's hard to find, as I've heard that Marineland requires stores to buy a proper refrigeration unit from them - since Marineland wouldn't want people buying it warm and it not working, then getting negative reviews of the product.

Once Bio-Spira is put in the tank, then fish can be added and should be added relatively soon to ensure there is an ammonia source to keep those bacteria well-fed. Tanks supposedly cycle within 3-4 days.

If you can't find it anywhere, then here is a place that sells it at a good price - but shipping might be pricy since they'll only ship it fast (but they're in East Tennessee, so it may not be too bad for you): http://fishstoretn.com/bio_spira.html

Good luck!

[Fish_S]

I've cycled two tanks with Bio Spira.
I used it in a 12 gallon to boost a slow fishy cycle(17 days with no nitrite readings), and used it in a 75 to cycle a tank with 15 fish.

In the case of the 75 gallon, it wasn't instant, but performed a "mini cycle" in about 10 days(when readions were 0 for ammonia AND nitrites). I had No readings until the third day, then small readings of Ammonia and Nitrites. Ammonia spiked at about .5 ppm on day 6 and Nitrites at less than 1 ppm around day 8. I did not lose a fish, nor did they show any signs of stress or illness. Occupants included Clown Loaches, Tetras and Rainbows.

In the 12 gallon, there was already a high ammonia content(4ppm) and immediately kicked off the nitirite and nitrate parts of the cycle. Because it wasn't added early, there was more ammonia to convert, so the Nitrites and Nitrates spiked MUCH higher, and the process took longer. The ammonia was at 0 in 6 days after adding the Bio Spira.