The Puffer Forum

I have been let down by the person that was going to give me some of their BW filter media to fishless cycle my tank - unfortunately they have an outbreak of whitespot, so for obvious reasons I cannot use it!

What do I use instead? Where will the bacteria come from if I have none to start the colony?

I tracked down some ammonia, but is there any point using it if there is nothing to eat it up?

Help!!

If your lfs will let you and you TRUST them-, you can ask for a bit of used filter media. (Mine charged me $2.) Or, you can buy Tetra Safestart. I don't know if its available in the UK, though.

Don't think I have seen the Tetra Safestart, but will do a quick internet search!

Well, its available on ebay. Would it be better to add this & the fish at the same time, or use the bacteria from the safestart to cycle the tank with the ammonia?

I would do the latter, since several people have reported problems with SafeStart not having enough bacteria.

LilGreenPuffer wrote:I would do the latter, since several people have reported problems with SafeStart not having enough bacteria.

Think I would feel happier doing it that way - even though I am desperate to get some inhabitants!

Another question! Do I get the normal one or the Marine one for a BW tank?

What's your SG? If it's above 1.010, then use Bio-Spira. If it's below, use SafeStart.

LilGreenPuffer wrote:What's your SG? If it's above 1.010, then use Bio-Spira. If it's below, use SafeStart.

SG is currently at 1.010 (to match the fish shop when I get the GSP). Bio-spira is not available over here.

Well, my tank is cycling, its day 17 & when I test the ammonia has gone from 5 down to 0 (still adding smaller dose of ammonia liquid on a daily basis). The nitrites are still high (very pretty purple!) & have been for the last 4 days. I realise things would be different from tank to tank, but any suggestions as to how long it should be before the nitrites start dropping? I have been patient, but am getting impatient! I have seen some really nice GSPs & I just know that when I go to get them they will be gone! Of course, if I have to wait longer I will do, I wouldn't dream of adding them too soon.
Just wondered if there was any time scale or anything else I can do to speed the process (I have increased oxygen & temp already).

My nitrites took forever. Then I did a water change and they went away... *whistles casually* I checked water parameters for a few more days, and then I got fishies.

Thanks LilGreenPuffer, always a comfort to know that someone else has been there, done that!

still adding smaller dose of ammonia liquid on a daily basis

How much? You're supposed to 1/2 whatever the amount it took to get it to 5ppm in the beginning, after nitrite shows.

What did you finally get to seed the tank?

Yeah, halved it. It gets converted to nitrite pretty quick now! Just wish the bacteria that use the nitrite would kick in! I had to use Safestart in the end - directly into the filter.

Hmmm... just goes to show that maybe there isn't enough bacteria in Safestart to "instant" cycle a tank.