New to using Biospira

[Dilan Patel]

Hey guys, so I am setting up a new tank and would like some tips on using biospira. Do I just dump it in and than leave it or right after I dump it in do I have to add a fish soon to help keep the bacteria fed. Can I just dose ammonia to help feed that bacteria until i can get a fish?

 

[Big G]

Hey guys, so I am setting up a new tank and would like some tips on using biospira. Do I just dump it in and than leave it or right after I dump it in do I have to add a fish soon to help keep the bacteria fed. Can I just dose ammonia to help feed that bacteria until i can get a fish?

I do a "fishless" cycle. I like to add one drop of clean ammonia (no additives) per gallon. That will give you a 1ppm dose. Test ammonia about an hour later with test kit to verify. Some like to dose heavier; some like to dose lighter. I then test ammonia each day and keep adding that same 1ppm dose each day until the test reads zero. With Biospira, it will take 3-5 days or so. Then I do the same but start testing for nitrites. Takes longer to drop to zero for nitrites, about 20-30 days total. By then your nitrates will be sky high. Lots of big water changes until you get it down to about 10-15 ppm.

 

[Dilan Patel]

But I have the bottles of Biospira already or else I would ghave done a fishless cycle,

 

[Idoc]

But I have the bottles of Biospira already or else I would ghave done a fishless cycle,

You still need to give it a little time even with the bacteria in a bottle stuff. Thou don't want too add fish until your system can process between 1-2ppm ammonia (depending size of your system) in 24hrs. So, put in the bottle bacteria, dose up your ammonia to 1ppm, then test for ammonia in 24hrs. If you are still getting ammonia after 24hrs, you are not ready for fish. Once it goes to zero ammonia, dose back to 1ppm again...repeat until it is 0 in 24hrs.

Don't use an ammonia with surfactants in it! Shake the ammonia in the bottle before buying, if bubbles occur, don't use it. Ace hardware has pure janitorial grade ammonia that is best to use.

 

[Dilan Patel]

ok that was what i was planning to do Not a noob at cycling aquariums but a noob at these instant bacteria stuff haha just didnt want to starve it. So my plan was pour it in over christmas wait a week or so which should allow the bacteria to colonize on the rock and the marine pure block which will come out of my other reef tank as well as my nitrate reactor. Than add either a fairy wrasse or some clowns. I am not overly stocking this tank and even with two small fish I would expect to see no issues as far as ammonia, nitrite in this size tank. Hopefully my plan works out.

 

[Big G]

But I have the bottles of Biospira already or else I would ghave done a fishless cycle,

Sorry I wasn’t typing clearly. After I put in the Biospira, I then start the dosing with ammonia. Sorry I wasn’t clear. Works every time.

 

[Dilan Patel]

Ahhh perfect cool. I plan to add it add 1ppm of ammonia tested by red sea kit and than add small fish a couple days later. When should I add my nitrate reactor and marine pure block which has live bacteria on it from my other reef tank?

 

[Brien]

Add the appropriate amount and wait a week before adding fish. No need to do anything else.

 

[Dilan Patel]

you don't think I shoul;d feed the bacteria?

 

[Big G]

The ammonia feeds the bacteria.

 

[Dilan Patel]

i will

 

[Big G]

Ahhh perfect cool. I plan to add it add 1ppm of ammonia tested by red sea kit and than add small fish a couple days later. When should I add my nitrate reactor and marine pure block which has live bacteria on it from my other reef tank?[/

Once the nitrites peak, nitrates will be increasing in the tank. That's a good time to insert the marine pure block.

 

[Dilan Patel]

perfect. i will run the nitrate reactor from the start so the bacteria won't die in my reactor.