Voodoo in a Bottle?

[fischfan13]

The last time I set up a 125g tank this is what I did...

Added dry sand.
Dry rocks.
125 gallons of tap water.
Dechlor, ph buffer and Cichlid Salt.
Hooked up the filtration, including one overused Emperor 400 with dirty pads inside of it.
Added fish.
Everything ran perfect.

Every time I start a new tank I do the same.
All new fresh water, and a dirty used filter.

On the market there are now chemicals in bottles that supposedly "start" the aquarium for you. Some are stored in refrigerators, some have claims that they have all of the beneficial bacteria that you need...right inside of their bottle.

Who has tried these?
Success in a bottle...or failure?

Who has thought about trying these, but for one reason or another chose not to?

Who wouldn't even pick up the bottle from a shelf?

[Reel Addiction]

Thought about it but was to scared to try. I thought that I read somewhere that its ok to use but when you stop and your system isnt up to par you have a crash. Hope that makes sense:beerchug:

[mack74]

Bill I have had friends use that stuff with out issues. Not sure if I would ever try it though. Maybe with some fish that I didn't mind loosing. I have always used media from my other tanks but I guess if thats not an option I would have to go that route.

[tangJim]

Okay, I'm prone to excess. I always run extra filters, just so I can pop them into a new setup with nitrifying bacteria already in place. But I have also bought bacteria in a bottle, just to make sure (with fish I definiately didn't want to lose). I wouldn't trust it alone , however. Kind of an insurance policy.

[emartin]

I would ONLY use it for speeding up a cycle (and in that case, only the biospira/dr tims stuff that is refrigerated).

But does it establish an instant biofilter? Definitely not. You will still have nitrite and ammonia spikes in the tank. Not worth it in my opinion unless you are doing a fishless cycle (or are just putting 1-2 fish in the tank).

Just use filter media from an established tank...

[joe_jaskot]

Some of those biological start up products work and some don't. Would I use them? Possibly, if I didn't have any biologically seeded material to use. I've set up a few tanks in my day (a few too many LOL!). Easiest way is to add dechlorinated water and live plants. Live plants have lots of beneficial bacteria on them. The plants use ammonia, nitrite and nitrate directly from the water. I've kept many a fish in a tank, container, or bucket with no filter. It can be done, but I recommend using a filter of some sort.

[cracks]

A long time ago (7 - 8 yrs) I used the stuff from petsmart (can't remember the name but it was refrigerated) to "seed" a fry tank for the oscars I was breeding at the time cause I didn't have a old filter to spare. Lost the whole batch of fry. Needless to say I threw that crap out. Don't know if that helps ya any

[DJRansome]

I would use Dr. Tim's. But like you said...if you already have an established tank there is no need.

[Flareside]

Bill, I almost always set up my tanks with used filter media and mostly fresh (treated) tap water. For very sensitive fish such as fry, juvie cyps or non african's- I have combined tap with water from a running tank with used filter media.

I think most of us with Africans know that there are a lot of precautions that we can bypass because our fish are hardier.

here is my experience with the stuff you asked about...

At an NEC auction, I won a raffle for a goody bag. It contained a bunch of stuff, among the items was a case of "Cycle". (pack of 12 shrink wrapped bottles)

I did try the stuff. It didnt seem to cause me any problems, but its not necessary either. Like anything else, there are those who believe they have to place extreme emphasis on cycling- do fishless cycles etc... For those people or the marine or tropical community which keep more delicate fish there will always be a niche for these products.

[exasperatus2002]

Some of those biological start up products work and some don't. Would I use them? Possibly, if I didn't have any biologically seeded material to use. I've set up a few tanks in my day (a few too many LOL!). Easiest way is to add dechlorinated water and live plants. Live plants have lots of beneficial bacteria on them. The plants use ammonia, nitrite and nitrate directly from the water. I've kept many a fish in a tank, container, or bucket with no filter. It can be done, but I recommend using a filter of some sort.

When I managed a petshop, I used to give goop to customers if they needed to seed a tank from one of the store filters. bacteria in a bottle Im hesitant about but better then nothing.

[twisted fisher]

my whole standing is how can anything that is alive be sealed for many months ona shelf and not have to breathe?

I'll stick to dirty filters!

[joe_jaskot]

my whole standing is how can anything that is alive be sealed for many months ona shelf and not have to breathe?

I'll stick to dirty filters!

Watch this video: http://www.ehow.com/video_4872827_long-bacteria-live-surfaces_.html

[twisted fisher]

Yeah i guess according to that they may live forever but like i said before ill stick to dirty sponge filters!

[Tito]

I have used BioSpira for Fresh Water and it worked like a charm every time. You cannot do a water change for two weeks and you must add it at the same time when adding the fish. It must be refrigerated.

At least that's how it worked when it first came to the market. I cycled a 75 full of fish with no problems. Did smaller tanks as well.

[cichfrk]

I think those chemicals are for beginners only who don't have access to seeded filters. We, however should know better that a dirty filter in a new tank can do wonders.

I do this "dirtly filter" method in all my tanks and always have success. Whenever I encounter a would-be hobbyist, I always encourage them to do this trick and they have success too.

[Afrabat]

I use Nutrafin cycle all the time when I set up a tank. Used to be cheaper but it's way more expensive now. I always do a fishless cycle so it works great. Never had spikes kill any fish when using this product.

[tangJim]

Plants are only part of the solution. They will convert nitrates into protein, but you need bacteria to remove nitrites and ammonia.