[blind1993]

ok well i have a tip for anyone who is just starting up ther aquarium. but for this u can not have anything living except lr and ls.

get one of those wild caught jumbo shrimp and just toss it in the aquarium and leave it there intill everything is gone of it. i did it and sometimes it will look very nasty but do not remove it. it helps get ur bacteria to build up and helps with the cycle.

i did it but removed the shrimp too early and i forgot that i was not even supposed the remove the shrimp at all but it looked so rotten but do not remove it.

it also helps serve kinda like cycleing the tank with fish which is cruel and unusual punishment.

[reefnoob1991]

Another good way to do quick but real cycles is to use BioSpira...it's a product but not a chemical. It is a package containing millions of live nitrification bacteria that you have to wait so long for when they cycle your tank...when ya add all these extras they complete the cycle within 2 or 3 days!!!

[blind1993]

i know but this is like a cheaper way and it is also good to see how the things are going in ur tank during the cycleing period and not do that while u have fish and adding stress on them.

[reefnoob1991]

BioSpira is only 20$...but yeah it is kinda harder to tell because you can't see anything going on...just have to test test test

[blind1993]

instead u can use those 20 dollars for a fish u know. and u could also add live sand it is like the same as bio spora.

[reefnoob1991]

Well live sand is like live rock, it takes a while to get jump started which is the reason why cycles last so long I used both and biospira and I had snails in within 5 days

[swinginbeef]

I second the shrimp thing. Since my tank is only 12 gallons, I just cut a regular frozen cocktail shrimp in half and let it do it's thing. It took alot less time than I thought it would. After the piece of shrimp decays into nothing, test once a week until your Amm/Nitri/Nitra are 0/0/<20. Then wait another week and test one more time. If the tests remain 0/0/<20 then you're ready to carry on.

I like the shrimp idea because it produces a Massive ammonia spike, which takes time to get back down to 0's. More time = better cycle and more seeding of the rock and sand with the goodguys.

[reefnoob1991]

A bit lengthy but a good little review

BIO-Spira, containing several newly discovered patented and patent pending species of the actual nitrifying bacteria found in closed, freshwater aquatic systems is ''biological filtration'' in a bottle. It literally works overnight to prevent fish loss due to ammonia and nitrate toxicity. Discovered, isolated and cultured by Marineland Labs, BIO-Spira is the result of 10+ years of molecular biological research to identify and commercially produce the bacteria responsible for nitrification in aquaria. The discovery of BIO-Spira by Dr. Timothy Hovanec, Chief Science Officer of Marineland Labs, and his team has been well-documented and collaborated by other leading scientists around the world. Several articles and peer-reviewed scientific papers are available by clicking BIO-Spira Research. Over the last 18 months, BIO-Spira has been successfully field tested at public zoos, aquariums and in the aquaculture industry. Testimonials from individuals at those facilities with ''hands-on'' BIO-Spira experience are also available. BIO-Spira is, perhaps, the most important aquarium product ever as it will make ''new tank syndrome'' a thing of the past. Fish can be safely introduced to new aquariums within 24 hours rather than days…and kept alive and healthy through the initial critical period. BIO-Spira is a ''live'' bacteria culture. It cannot be overdosed.

[blind1993]

and the other thing about the shrimp idea it like overstocks ur aquarium with bacteria so it
doesnt cause an amonia spike.

[jimw369]

I have a problem with the Bio-spiro whatever. Ok, it works. It may work in 2-3days. That goes against one of the biggest principles we (saltwater aquarists) need to be teaching...PATIENCE! How can we advise some one new to the hobby to use Bio whatever because there is no waiting for a cycle and then tell them they should stock their tank slowly a fish at a time. The cycling process should be a time of learning for the new saltwater enthusiast. Its weeks of researching water chemistry, learning about testing, starting and researching that wish list. Cycling is not just something a tank needs to do. It is something some one new to the hobby needs to do also. IMHO

[Krazy]

Originally Posted by jimw369

I have a problem with the Bio-spiro whatever. Ok, it works. It may work in 2-3days. That goes against one of the biggest principles we (saltwater aquarists) need to be teaching...PATIENCE! How can we advise some one new to the hobby to use Bio whatever because there is no waiting for a cycle and then tell them they should stock their tank slowly a fish at a time. The cycling process should be a time of learning for the new saltwater enthusiast. Its weeks of researching water chemistry, learning about testing, starting and researching that wish list. Cycling is not just something a tank needs to do. It is something some one new to the hobby needs to do also. IMHO

I agree 100%

[reefnoob1991]

To each his own, I agree but to see it work in action and have good feedback I tried it and haven't had a problem.

[Tonz of fun]

Im noticing a theme here

[reefnoob1991]

which is...

[Krazy]

I've had enough of this back and forth 2-3-4 word post crap.

your gettin a time-out, enough is enough !

see you in 2 weeks!

[CyberJester]

Originally Posted by Tonz of fun

Im noticing a theme here

Me too!

And I agree with you Jim 100%. The information I have learned during my time pondering my tank, Thinking about the LR I wanted to use, and the cycling (which has been almost 2 months time from tank purchase to now) has been an as valuable resource as RB.

[Tonz of fun]

I may get in trouble for this but...We need to be setting an wxaimple to new comers to the hobby. If a new person comes in and see a bunch of established members fighting about there views what impression are we giving them. All I will say is new comers Im sorry its not like this all the time. I by all means dont know much about Salt water. But I do know who is a good resource. Im me and I will tell you who out there you can go to for advice besides the obvious KrazyK and JVs out there.

[rlcline76]

At least they ruined their own thread!
Good stuff!