Good Idea to use "CYCLE"?

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richardhmc

richardhmc

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Nov 25, 2006
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nyc
Hey! I have a 55 gallon tank with constant changing of nitrates and nitrites. Ever since I made the change from sand to gravel since the sand was a pain in the butt, the water keeps changing. Ive been doing around 40 water changes weekly and plus I have 3 baby ebjds which I dont want to lose because of nitrates and nitrites.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produ...&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Np=1&pc=1&N=0&Nty=1

This is the Cycle that I am talking about. I would like to know if its worth the buying and if anyone has ever tried it before.

Thanks
- Richard
 
changing in what way? you should have zero nitrites, and your nitrates should increase between water changes. What are your ammonia readings? What type filtration are you running? Is the bio load of your tank just the 3 ebjds or do you have other fish with them?

Cycle is not a magic cure, It may help with your problem or it may not. Need more info for accurate recommendation.
 
I used cycle to help when setting up my 125, but I also took gravel and hung filters off the old tank on the new one and it cycled pretty fast.
I think it works well, but someone else can give their advice also.
 
i have had absolutly no results with cycle, i do better with stress zyme........ but thats just my experince, someone else will probably have had excellent results
 
cycle does not contain the right type of bacteria to cycle a fish tank. dont waste your money.. seed from another tank if available or use bio-spira.

Blue
 
Your best bet would be to get Bio-Spira because it is the only one with proven results. What is the filtration on the 55? If the ammonia is zero and nitrites are high, salt helps with nitrite burning so add 1 tablespoon/5 gallons and don't worry, they EBJDs can handle that. The nitrates are just always going to be there so regular water changes is what you need to do. Good luck Richard, I know a lot of stuff is hitting you fast but it seems like you are enjoying it.
 
How long has this tank been setup? Have you been using a water conditioner for water changes? Was the tank fully cycled before you added the fish? Do you have any detectable ammonia, nitrite or nitrate in your water supply? Does your water supply use chlorine or chloramines? These are all very important factors that need to be answered before even considering a bottled bacteria.
 
I use cycle AND stress zyme to set up a new tank. Blue is right, if you can steal a good bit of water from a cycled tank, it helps. Bio-Spira is the stuff for you, i never used it because it isn't availible inmy area but i read alot on it with all good comments. you are loosing what little bacteria you have by doing frequent water changes.
 
Well, I used to have 10 gallon before this 55. For about 2 weeks, I have had my 10 gallon hob filter on the 55 but about last tuesday, 5 days ago, I made the switch from sand to gravel since sand kept getting my sink clogged. So i had to empty out all my water and redo it. UNfortunatley, in the process my 10 gallon filter blew up ( it stopped working ) and so I was forced to just put in the fish. I did the drip-drop system and everything and the fish came out fine.

Right now, I have a canister: Filstar xp2 on it. What is a Bio-Spira? Can someone give me a link or picture of it? Thanks.

Nitrates are right now 20 ppm. Nitrites are 3 ppm. ( i think thats right ).
Im guessing this could be because of the mistake I made with live bloodworms. I put in a bunch into the worm dispenser and a couple minutes later, a whole GLOB of worms came out and went into the tank. I did a water change a couple hrs later to make sure everything was okay.
 
something dont sound right here you have nitrites and nitrates this means you have a complete cycle already..
what is the filtration and the paramitors on the tank also are you testing with quick strips??
how much you feedng them.


oops didnt see your last post
 
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