The Puffer Forum

I have had my F8s' tank for about 2 1/2 weeks now. I tried to cycle with some old Tetra Safestart, but it had partially frozen so I doubt it did anything. I ordered some BioSpira a few days ago all happy about it. Now I'm wondering if it will work at all with my salt only being at 1.002. I thought there was SOME salt and ordered it, but now I think I should've gotten the other. Besides which, my levels have been pretty good, but not zero. I just thought I'd give it that nudge to stop minicycling. Should I give it a pass? Just keep the bottle for a possible future full-salt?

I read something that said you have to be at at least 1.004 to use this. I could wait and continue doing what I'm doing if that's the case. I'm slowly raising my salinity by 0.002 a week and that's what its at right now.

Marineland said for their SW product to work, the SG needs to be at least 1.010. Couldn't you return it for some good Safestart?

I bought it from drs foster and smith's site. They do have Safestart. I haven't even gotten the product yet, but it has shipped. I'll call them tomorrow and see what they'll do for me.

Meanwhile, I'll keep checking my levels and doing water changes as necessary.

Dr. Tims works well IME

I called them. THey said they'll exchange biospira for safestart, but its already shipped and I have to send it back to exchange it for safestart so it will be a while. The other option is to go where I got it before but that's about 30 minutes down some busy freeway. I tested my tank today and it was just fine. Nitrates were the only thing that registered and it was between 5 and 10. I'm doing periodic water changes if I notice the levels too high, but its been good. I guess I'll continue to test and wait.

I sent the BioSpira back to DrFosterSmith and arranged for an exchange for Tetra Safestart. But I saw that they have http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/p ... atid=18986 Dr. Tim's. Is this better than Safestart, and if so, which one would I need? (I just sent the biospira back so I can call and change my exchange if I need to.)

Either product should work.