Ok, so many know I'm building this monster tank. It's actually closer to 1200 gal. So as for cycling, I'm thinking two things. 1 is to use something like bio-spira at 32oz and very expensive. The second route is through a local fish farm. I talked with this fellow and he had nothing good to say about bio-spira. He suggested I stop in, and they could give me several milk jugs full of their sponge squeezings. This would be billions of bacteria ready to go. I would dump them right in the filter and fire the thing up. I'd probably start fishless and add a little ammonia to get the BB happy. What do you guys think? The sponge squeeze juice would be free, and I really think it would work. As long as the water in the tank is chemical free.
to bio spira or not to bio spira
- Thread starter wizzin
- Start date
I LOVE bio spira but it can be expensive. $25 for 90 gal but when I set up a tank for a client I can't afford to go back evryday.
When I set up a new tank that I will see everyday I use seachems stbility and it works GREAT but you have to add it everyday for 7 days but you coul;d treat anentire 1200 gal tank for $30 to $50
http://www.seachem.com/products/product_pages/Stability.html
When I set up a new tank that I will see everyday I use seachems stbility and it works GREAT but you have to add it everyday for 7 days but you coul;d treat anentire 1200 gal tank for $30 to $50
http://www.seachem.com/products/product_pages/Stability.html
I forgot who, but someone did say B-S comes in like a 5g bucket for ponds and stores...
I've never had a prob since my bro told me about it. Basically figure out which way is best (cheaper) and go with it.
I've never had a prob since my bro told me about it. Basically figure out which way is best (cheaper) and go with it.
Go with sponge excess, it's free, and I believe more effective, you'll go through a mini cycle, but shouldn't be harmful to the inhabitants provided you don't overstock...
Scottfree;640011; said:
That's what I wanted to hear
Has anyone used sponge juice to kick off a tank? I've heard that BB multiplies by 10 about every 24 hours. I've just never cycled anything this big. I know The Fish Guy from the cichlid forum with his 800 or 1000 or whatever used existing tank water and media to kickstart his bb colony. I guess that's what I'm thinking. I just don't have 1100 - 1200 gallons of established water to use. More like 250 if I drained everything I have and emptied all my filters 
The sponge juice is free, so I think that's the route I'm going. I was going to get 3-4 gallons of it and add it straight into the O/H W/D. I guess it'll just be a matter of testing everything and keeping the stocking in check until it all equalizes...
Exisitng tank water won't help you at all, just use the slude/filter juice....Make sure that the tank you put it in is dechlored....
Scottfree;640091; said:
Exactly, the sponge gunk will get the tank started there isn't any ammonia and nitrite in that water for all of the BB. People transfer water to reduce stress on the fish, not to kickstart the cylce. The sponge goop will do that, and it's free.
ok, so my LFS seems to think that using 3 90 gal bio spira starters and throwing in some convicts will do the trick. It's only $30. Plus then I don't have to worry about any parasites or any other contaminents that might be in the breeders sponges.
I actually kinda agree. The spunge gunk is free, but it might have hitchhikers. Using bio spira rated for 300 gal in 1000 will still work, it will just take a little longer than if it were a 300 gal.
Yes, adding the tank water would be if I were transferring all my fish immediately from the current tanks to the new tank. I realize not enough of the bb are freefloating in the water.
I actually kinda agree. The spunge gunk is free, but it might have hitchhikers. Using bio spira rated for 300 gal in 1000 will still work, it will just take a little longer than if it were a 300 gal.
Yes, adding the tank water would be if I were transferring all my fish immediately from the current tanks to the new tank. I realize not enough of the bb are freefloating in the water.