Bacteria in a Bottle

Kasey Grohowski · Feb 26, 2019

Just wondering if bacteria in a bottle i.e. api quick start can actually accelerate the cycle process, and if enough are used; can the cycle be completed within say a day or two?

Jekyl · Feb 26, 2019

If looking for fast results start with live sand and rock along with the bacteria

SPR1968 · Feb 27, 2019

Take a look at ATM Colony that does exactly what you want and I’ve used it twice.

There are others as well of course, but I’ve used this myself

Kasey Grohowski · Feb 27, 2019

SPR1968 said:
Take a look at ATM Colony that does exactly what you want and I’ve used it twice.

There are others as well of course, but I’ve used this myself

Your tank cycled in a day?

Pntbll687 · Feb 27, 2019

ATM Colony, Dr Tim's One and Only, Bio Spira, Seachem stability, and the list goes on...

They all "work" some are more effective and will cycle a tank faster than others.

I have personally used Dr Tims, Bio Spira, and stability. Dr Tim's was the fastest at cycling a tank, it took about 7 days to cycle a 200g tank when dosing the correct amount of bacteria.

SPR1968 · Feb 27, 2019

Kasey Grohowski said:
Your tank cycled in a day?

Yes, it basically adds all the bacteria necessary to instantly cycle a tank. And it works very well.

Just add the colony, and add the fish and its done. No need for rotting shrimps, nothing wrong with this, but its 2019 and things have advanced somewhat

Full instructions:
Prior To Application

Prior to adding ATM Colony™ you must turn off UV sterilizers, protein skimmers,and ozone generators for 4-5 days to protect still free-floating bacteria. Make sure water has been dechlorinatred. Utilizing ATM Barrier™ Classic or ATM Paradigm™ All Natural water conditioners will speed up the attachment of nitrifying bacteria.

Application

The following steps, while conducted in the optimum application environment*, will allow

Colony to establish bio-filtration in less than a week while keeping your fish safe. Results

may vary in conditions out of the optimum application environment.

Make sure optimum application environment is achieved
Add ATM Colony™ with fish at recommended dosage
Feed once lightly then temporarily discontinue feeding **
Monitor ammonia and nitrite daily during cycling process
When nitrites lower to at or near zero, slowly increase feeding to normal levels

* In environments where the pH, temperature, and total alkalinity are below optimum, nitrifying

bacteria will work less efficiently resulting in slower conversion and requiring a much

larger colony of nitrifying bacteria.

** Light feeding is one of the keys to a successful instant cycle. Less food means less

ammonia and nitrite. This prevents large spikes that can be dangerous to fish over time

while allowing the nitrifying bacteria to feed and flourish.

Additional Tips And Considerations

ATM Colony™ contains aerobic autotroph bacteria. Therefore, increased aeration in the bio-media area will increase activity of the nitrifying bacteria greatly.
Many nitrate test kits read a minimum of 5.0 ppm. Therefore, dropping nitrite will be evidence of present nitrate if it is still too low for the test kit to measure.
In low pH freshwater aquariums, it is best to cycle the aquarium with ATM Colony™ in its optimum application environment. After the aquarium is cycled, slowly lower pH over time to the target environment. This is necessary to give the nitrifying bacteria time to multiply to a colony large enough to convert ammonia and nitrite quickly.

vetteguy53081 · Feb 27, 2019

In addition to live rock and sand, it is effective.
The two best that I know of out there is Dr. Tims and fritz Turbo Zyme 900

Kasey Grohowski · Feb 27, 2019

vetteguy53081 said:
In addition to live rock and sand, it is effective.
The two best that I know of out there is Dr. Tims and fritz Turbo Zyme 900

Can i mix fritz turbo with api?

Westside Guy · Feb 27, 2019

I used live sand and dry rock along with Smart Start Complete and in 2 weeks I was good to go. Most likely it would have been quicker if I used live rock. Make sure that you order the one they sell for saltwater as they also make one for freshwater tanks.
https://www.tlc-products.com/products/aquariums/startsmart-complete

They also have a product called StartSmart for Instant Cycling which I didn't use.
https://www.tlc-products.com/products/aquariums/startsmart-instant-cycling