Cycling Aid for "larger" tanks

[nossalucard]

Has anyone tried this Microbe-Lift "pond" product as a possible aid in starting a cycle?

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=14218

I imagine it might work well for larger applications, as it's primarily marketed for pond use, but used sparingly enough, I wonder if it might be safe to use for inoculating filter media in new aquariums?

Any thoughts?

 

[rodger]

I have heard good stuff about it. I'm a firm believer in peeing in the tank or straight ammonia.

 

[Ihsnshaik]

I just use old sponge filters already cycled in my new tanks. I add them get the tank up to temp and add fish.

If you can't get any cycled media you can do a fishless cycle by adding ammonia but ask a buddy in the hobby to let you use their sponge filters.

I just started up a new tank. I did it all in an hour. I didn't add fish yet thats because instead of 80 degrees I got it to 90 by accident. So I let it sit overnight and added my two fish the next day.

 

[duanes]

Using a few handfuls of substrate, rocks or wood, and/or old media (like bio wheels or ceramics) I keep floating around in sumps, or laying around in established tanks, I have not had to cycle a tank in almost 30 years (and I have started plenty).
It really helps to keep those old bio-bacteria colonized objects around.

 

[nossalucard]

Yea, I already have a 20long (with a few dither fish in it) that I keep 8 sponge filters in, as well as 5 bags of old biomax and sponges from my older aquaclears, and even old Emporer biowheels, so I already have pre-cycled media. I also initially cycled most of this media with janitors ammonia and microbe lift nite out weeks before I put the dither fish in(which was my first fishless cycle experiment a few years ago).

The question however, is if anyone has tried this particular product, or what others may think about trying it??

 

[dogofwar]

I "cycle" new tanks with media from old tanks.

One more reason to join a fish club: you can get an extra sponge filter or media to start a new tank from a member

Matt

 

[pops]

I personally do not be leave en em for cycling a tank, I have heard good things about using them on a regular basis to reduce canister sludge. its just not the same type of bacteria you cultivate in your bio-filter for your nitrate cycle.

 

[Bigtdotcom]

I recently met a guy who used that product and he always had great results. I had goos results with DrTimms - One and Only. Was alot more expensive then other products but worth it