Bottled Bacteria Put to the Test.

Discussion in 'Lionfish Lair' started by Renee@LionfishLair, Jul 17, 2012.

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  1. Renee@LionfishLair

    Renee@LionfishLair 3reef Sponsor

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    And the scene is set:

    You need a QT tank fast. You eyeball the Bacteria in a Bottle product sitting on your shelf that you've been afraid to try. Can you really just "add a fish"? Let's find out.

    The first four up are usually obtainable locally at places like Petco and Petsmart. These were obtained from my local Petco.

    1. Stability - Seachem
    2. BIO-Spira - Instant Ocean
    3. Cycle - Nutrafin/Hagen
    4. Quick Start - API

    I figured 4 was as much as I could handle at a time.


    Equipment:

    1. 10-gallon tanks filled with Instant Ocean Salt.
    2. Hydra-Aquatics Bio Sponge
    3. Ammonia colorimeter.
    4. Nitrite photometer.
    5. Damsels

    I'm going to follow the specific directions of each of the products and see where we end up.

    Any suggestions or see anything I should address?
     
    Last edited: Jul 18, 2012
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  3. Renee@LionfishLair

    Renee@LionfishLair 3reef Sponsor

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    Cycle - Nutrafin/Hagen (expires - Nov/2013)

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    Spiel on the bottle:

    Nutrafin Cycle - Biological Aquarium Supplement features a high-concentration formula that immediately establishes a safe biological aquarium environment. Cycle goes to work fast, releasing massive amounts of beneficial bacteria that eliminate toxic ammonia and nitrites and creating a biologically well-balanced aquarium for healthy fish to thrive. It is also ideal for quickly establishing safe and essential conditions in new aquarium setups, so that you can introduce fish to new aquariums immediately.

    Regular application helps to competitively exclude the establishment of undesirable bacteria in aquariums.

    Cycle provides consistent results thanks to bio-floc technology that preserves product stability, efficacy and shelf life. High-quality production processes ensure that every container of Cycle contains pure, safe bacterial colonies free of undesirable contaminants.

    Cycle is an all-natural product that will not harm plants, animals or humans. It does not require refrigeration. For fresh and saltwater use. Size: 30 mL (1 fl oz)

    DOSAGE:

    New Aquariums
    Day 1: 25 mL per 38 L (10 U.S. gal)
    Day 2: 10 mL per 38 L (10 U.S. gal)
    Day 3: 10 mL per 38 L (10 U.S. gal)

    All regular maintenance activities (water changes, filter maintenance, etc.)
    5 mL per 38 L (10 U.S. gal)

    After adding new fish and/or medicating
    10 mL per 38 L (10 U.S. gal)

    Weekly dosage to maintain a strong beneficial biological colony
    5 mL per 38 L (10 U.S. gal)
     
    Last edited: Jul 17, 2012
  4. Renee@LionfishLair

    Renee@LionfishLair 3reef Sponsor

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    Quick Start - API (expires - Oct/2014)

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    Directions:

    All-natural liquid water treatment allows instant addition of fish to a new aquarium when all necessary conditions are met, including proper pH and water temperature, effective filtration, and the addition of a water conditioner to remove chlorine or chloramines.
    Live nitrifying bacteria immediately start the nitrogen cycle in your aquarium.

    Also limits toxic ammonia and nitrite, and helps prevent fish loss.

    Benefits:
    In a new aquarium, harmful ammonia and nitrite build up from fish waste, often resulting in fish loss or new tank syndrome. The nitrifying bacteria in Quick Start quickly consume ammonia and nitrite by immediately establishing the biological filter to help prevent new tank syndrome. The unique, patented bacteria in Quick Start also help to maintain an active biological filter in an established aquarium. Does not require refrigeration.

    When to use:
    Use when starting a new aquarium, adding new fish, changing water, changing filter media, after medicating, or whenever ammonia or nitrite are detected.

    Directions:
    Use the API dosing cap on bottle. Shake well. Add 10 ml per 10 U.S. gallons (38 L) of aquarium water. For saltwater aquariums, double the dose.
     
    Last edited: Jul 17, 2012
  5. Renee@LionfishLair

    Renee@LionfishLair 3reef Sponsor

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    BIO-Spira - Instant Ocean. (sell by - May/2013)

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    Product Info:

    Directions for Use
    For best results in a new aquarium, follow these simple steps: • Mix tap water with a quality synthetic salt mix such as Instant Ocean Sea Salt, item #116528 and #16881 (1.020 to 1.024 specific gravity).
    • Condition the water with a chlorine-removing additive.
    • Maintain constant appropriate water temperature. A heater may be used to maintain water temperature in your aquarium. Most tropical fish require a constant water temperature between 75 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
    • Shake well. Add an entire bottle of BIO-Spira (100 ml) to an aquarium up to 30 gallons. Also available in 250 ml to treat up to 75 gallons.
    • Your aquarium is now ready for fish.

    BIO-Spira can also be used in established saltwater aquariums after a water change, when adding new fish, or after medicating. For best results in an established aquarium, be sure to: • Turn OFF UV sterilizers and protein skimmers for 48 hours.
    • Remove all medications with a water changes or activated carbon.
    • Shake well. Add an entire bottle of Bio-Spira (100 ml) to an aquarium of up to 30 gallons.
    Principal Ingredients: Purified saltwater, patented and patent-pending strains of Nitrosospira, Nitrosomonas, Nitrospira, and Nitrococcus.
    General Information

    BIO-Spira accelerates establishment of the bio-filter in a newly setup saltwater aquarium. Can also be used after a water change, when adding new fish, or after medicating. Contains patented and patent-pending strains of aquatic bacteria proven to reduce fish loss due to ammonia and nitrite toxicity.

    BIO-Spira is a revolutionary new product that makes marine aquariums fish-safe instantly. No more waiting. No more guesswork. No more worries about losing fish to new-tank syndrome.
    • BIO-Spira contains live patented nitrifying bacteria proven to reduce fish loss due to ammonia and nitrite toxicity.
    • BIO-Spira prevents new-tank syndrome by accelerating the establishment of the bacteria necessary for successful biological filtration. In just minutes after adding BIO-Spira to your saltwater aquarium, you can introduce your fish with full confidence that they will not be exposed to dangerous levels of ammonia or nitrite, the culprits that cause new-tank syndrome.
    • BIO-Spira doesn't need to be refrigerated. Unlike other products based on live strains of bacteria, BIO-Spira is shelf-stable at room temperature, which means it's just as easy to store as it is to use.
     
    Last edited: Jul 17, 2012
  6. Renee@LionfishLair

    Renee@LionfishLair 3reef Sponsor

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    Stability - Seacheam (expires - Jan/2016)

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    Product Info:

    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. Unlike competing products, the bacteria employed by Stability are non-sulfur fixing and will not produce toxic hydrogen sulfide. Stability is completely harmless to all aquatic organisms as well as aquatic plants, thus there is no danger of over use. Stability is the culmination of nearly a decade of research and development and represents the current state of the art in natural biological management.

    The bacteria used in competing products are inherently unstable. The conditions necessary for their growth and development fall into a very narrow range of temperatures, pH, organic loads, etc. When any of these parameters are not strictly within the proper range, the bacterial culture quickly crashes and dies. Stability does not contain any of the aforementioned bacteria.

    The bacteria strains in Stability have been in development for over a decade. The necessary conditions for growth of our bacterial strains encompass a very broad range. When other bacteria begin to die off (usually from high organic loads caused by the undetected death of an organism), Stability simply works harder and grows faster! The strains function in fresh or saltwater. Stability contains both nitrifying and denitrifying bacteria, a blend found in no other product. Additionally, Stability contains facultative bacterial strains which are able to adapt to either aerobic or anaerobic conditions. The bacteria in Stability are non-sulfur fixing, another innovation in the industry. Most other bacterial supplements will form toxic hydrogen sulfide under the proper conditions. Stability will not, ever.

    Use 1 capful (5 mL) for each 40 L (10 gallons*) on the first day with a new aquarium.
    Then use 1 capful for each 80 L (20 gallons*) daily for 7 days.
    Fish and other aquatic species may be introduced at any time as long as dosage is maintained for 7 days.

    For optimum biofilter performance use 1 capful for each 40 L (10 gallons*) once a month or with each water change and whenever introducing new fish or whenever medicating an aquarium.
     
    Last edited: Jul 18, 2012
  7. Renee@LionfishLair

    Renee@LionfishLair 3reef Sponsor

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    Results:

    Guess we shall see.....
     
    Last edited: Jul 17, 2012
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  9. Kevin_E

    Kevin_E Giant Squid

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    Look forward to hearing thoughts on these products. Adding water to a 55 gallon within the next couple of months.
     
  10. steve wright

    steve wright Super Moderator

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    picture of the test tanks required, please, Renee

    just because I am naturally nosey and interested

    Steve
     
  11. Renee@LionfishLair

    Renee@LionfishLair 3reef Sponsor

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    Absolutely. There will be pics of everything.
     
  12. Scrimshaw

    Scrimshaw Plankton

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    Looking forward to the results