now this is odd

[bikeguy33]

Tank Size:
Age of the tank:
pH:
Ammonia:
NitrAtes:
nitrites:
GH/KH:
Temperature:
Fish in your tanks: yes
Fish:

just read a story about a nitrifying bacteria that may work well! i am skeptical but have a read.... www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/content.php?sid=3147&utm_source=PFK_newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=August_27_2010_b&utm_term=Bacterial_product_actually_works,_study_finds&utm_content=html

Question/Problem:

[Carl]

Actually there already are nitrifying products that work (such as SeaChem Stability), so based on how this article is worded I certainly cannot argue the results.

The key is in the wording IMHO.
Using Stability as an example (which I think is a good product, but some claims can be exaggerated); a good nitrifying product can certainly "digest" nitrites, ammonia, and some can even lower nitrates. However due to the high moisture and oxygen demands of the of true nitrifying bacteria which are Autotrophic prevent the use of these in over the counter nitrifying products, so most utilize different strains of Heterotrophic bacteria (of which there are many varieties with varying results).

What this article fails to mention is that although this product may work well (as with SeaChem Stability), the Heterotrophic bacteria contained there in (which from the achieved results clearly points to these bacteria) are NOT the primary bacteria for a healthy nitrogen cycle and once the wastes are exhausted and the aquarium keeper ceases to keep adding the product, the ammonia and nitrites can suddenly spike when the bio load increases.

The bottom line is these products are an excellent supplement for an aquarium keeper that wants a faster start, however they still do not truly cycle an aquarium and patience and care should still be exercised in the first 6-8 weeks unless aged/seasoned filter media is used, which is what most of our maintenance colleagues use.

Carl

[parker002]

I used Turbo Start with my tank - I added maybe 5 teaspoons one time and my tank finished cycling in about 8 hours.

[Carl]

Aug 31, 2010 11:14:05 GMT -5 parker002 said:

I used Turbo Start with my tank - I added maybe 5 teaspoons one time and my tank finished cycling in about 8 hours.

Turbo Start is a rare true Autotrophic bacteria cycling product for which most are not and even some such as Marineland's BioSpira are often not properly stored and thus not truly effective.

Carl

[parker002]

Yeah, I see BioSpira around town sitting out on the shelf, which is no good.

Only one place in town has refrigerated bacteria (aka Turbo Start).