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Post by Ameenah on Jan 20, 2015 23:34:16 GMT -5
Hello Frank and welcome to the EA Forum. you made me smile when you discribed that you plan to purchase a larger tank when they are on sale. I think many aquarists, including me, are always thinking or dreaming about their next bigger tank! New tanks are costly. I have always purchased used ones found in local classifieds, but now that I am looking for 200+ gallon tank the search is very very slow. I do buy "new only" filtration and other equipment - but a used tank can save a lot of money. I would suggest adding a SeaChem Ammonia Alert These are small, stick on the inside of the tank, are easy to read and help aquarists react immediately to ammonia levels (which I use PRIME to treat) i keep 1 in each tank - they are a great value and they last about 1-year. I also suggest keeping a Tank Journal. I keep them on all my tanks - simple little notebooks. For my big tank, I keep a tank blog right here on the EA Forum. In fact, if you'd like to browse my almost 1-year of tank progress, please Tour My Big Tank blog. I share the good and the bad lessons of this tank as well as some videos of the fish.
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Post by parker002 on Jan 21, 2015 9:15:46 GMT -5
I'd really be interested to see the results of a study that observed the first few weeks AFTER a tank was fully cycled with them. I would expect the Stability-cycled tank to have a dropoff at some point after administration of Stability stopped, due to the differences between heterotrophic and autotrophic bacteria. We are just entering this phase of the test, so we will see how this goes. The Fritz allowed for some off the chart nitrite levels during about 10 days in. Carl Are you testing Turbo Start or FritzZyme? I guess I was thinking of Turbo Start - I probably wouldn't expect FritzZyme to be all that different from Stability and given Seachem's reputation, I wouldn't at all be surprised to see Stability be the top performer. All I know is TurboStart saved my aquarium in those early days.
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Post by parker002 on Jan 21, 2015 9:18:38 GMT -5
I would suggest adding a SeaChem Ammonia Alert These are small, stick on the inside of the tank, are easy to read and help aquarists react immediately to ammonia levels (which I use PRIME to treat) i keep 1 in each tank - they are a great value and they last about 1-year. I can't believe I forgot the Ammonia Alert! I haven't used them in so long mostly because they're not real valuable in a tank that's been cycled for almost 5 years. But for a new tank, yes, they're absolutely essential.
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Post by Carl on Jan 21, 2015 11:13:22 GMT -5
Are you testing Turbo Start or FritzZyme? I guess I was thinking of Turbo Start - I probably wouldn't expect FritzZyme to be all that different from Stability and given Seachem's reputation, I wouldn't at all be surprised to see Stability be the top performer. All I know is TurboStart saved my aquarium in those early days. The test is using FritzZyme #7, which is the same product as the Turbo Start other than Turbo Start is much more concentrated. FritzZyme takes a lot if directions are followed completely Reference: fritzaquatics.com/products.php?p=turbo-start-700From SeaChem's Website: "Stability® will rapidly and safely establish the aquarium biofilter in freshwater and marine systems, thereby preventing the #1 cause of fish death: "new tank syndrome". Stability® is formulated specifically for the aquarium and contains a synergistic blend of aerobic, anaerobic, and facultative bacteria which facilitate the breakdown of waste organics, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate. "Reference: www.seachem.com/Products/product_pages/Stability.htmlI think one key to the success of Stability is faculative bacteria References: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Facultative_anaerobic_organismwww.americanaquariumproducts.com/Nitrogen_Cycle.html#productsWhile I have always used this product as an aid, including for clients who had an accident such as a major over feeding, filter failure, etc., I have not been part of a controlled test for cycling starting at 0. My main method for new tanks has primarily been the use of an established sponge, which although not part of this controlled test, previous tests using this method still had the best results when it came to ammonia/nitrite Carl
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Post by parker002 on Jan 21, 2015 11:28:16 GMT -5
My only problem with using established media is that there's a potential not only to transfer beneficial bacteria but also harmful ones as well. That's why I've always cycled from scratch. If Stability would work for that, that's HUGE news.
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Post by Carl on Jan 21, 2015 12:52:22 GMT -5
My only problem with using established media is that there's a potential not only to transfer beneficial bacteria but also harmful ones as well. That's why I've always cycled from scratch. If Stability would work for that, that's HUGE news. This is a good point and the main concern many have with the "seasoned filter media method", but if the aquarium is well established, with not new introductions of fish, the risks are very minimal. Carl
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swimfin27
Full Member
Breeding is the ultimate joy!
Posts: 67
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Post by swimfin27 on Jan 30, 2015 23:59:17 GMT -5
It is official, my supplies have shipped! Thanks to the team over at AAP, I feel like a kid full of anticipation knowing Santa is on his way. Thanks to everybody's input and suggestions, it certainly did not fall on deaf ears. I will start a tank blog and document this endeavor so stay tuned!
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Post by devonjohnsgard on Jan 31, 2015 12:39:57 GMT -5
It is official, my supplies have shipped! Thanks to the team over at AAP, I feel like a kid full of anticipation knowing Santa is on his way. Thanks to everybody's input and suggestions, it certainly did not fall on deaf ears. I will start a tank blog and document this endeavor so stay tuned! Looking forward to the tank blog
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