How does Instant Ocean Bio-Spira actually work?

[livinlifeinBKK]

So I'm just wondering, how does this product work and how well does it work to do what it claims? It claims that it makes your tank fish safe instantly but how can that be possible unless it also neutralizes the ammonia like Seachem Prime? Or are you not supposed to dose ammonia in the non-cycled tank before adding it?

 

[Miami Reef]

Biospira is nitrifying bacteria that converts ammonia to nitrite to nitrate.

If you already have fish in the tank, this is the ammonia source. Do not add ammonia to tanks already housing fish.

The bacteria takes a few days to really get their population going, so you ideally should cycle the tank without fish for 1 week and drop a pellet or two. If you already have fish inside, dose more bacteria and do not feed heavily until the tank is more established.

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

Biospira is nitrifying bacteria that converts ammonia to nitrite to nitrate.

If you already have fish in the tank, this is the ammonia source. Do not add ammonia to tanks already housing fish.

No, it's a new QT tank with nothing in it...to cycle the tank I added ammonia and I'm going to add the Bio Spira product...is it supposed to make it safe instantly or is that only if you don't add ammonia first

 

[Miami Reef]

No, it's a new QT tank with nothing in it...to cycle the tank I added ammonia and I'm going to add the Bio Spira product...is it supposed to make it safe instantly or is that only if you don't add ammonia first

You need the seachem ammonia alert badge to know if it’s safe!

Ideally you should let the tank sit a week with the bacteria before adding fish. You need the bacteria to propagate in the tank. More bacteria = less ammonia.

 

[RobB'z Reef]

No, it's a new QT tank with nothing in it...to cycle the tank I added ammonia and I'm going to add the Bio Spira product...is it supposed to make it safe instantly or is that only if you don't add ammonia first

There is no such thing as instant unless it's bad. That's a dormant bacteria and in my experience it takes 10-14 days to fully cycle.

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

You need the seachem ammonia alert badge to know if it’s safe!

Ideally you should let the tank sit a week with the bacteria before adding fish. You need the bacteria to propagate in the tank. More bacteria = less ammonia.

Ok, that's what I thought...I confused myself tbh!

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

There is no such thing as instant unless it's bad. That's a dormant bacteria and in my experience it takes 10-14 days to fully cycle.

That's what I figured...

 

[Miami Reef]

And to answer the question: biospira works very well. I recommend having a sponge (from the fish store) to increase surface area for the bacteria to live in.

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

Th

And to answer the question: biospira works very well. I recommend having a sponge (from the fish store) to increase surface area for the bacteria to live in.

Thank you for the tip!...I put a HOB filter on it and packed it full of bioballs