New Plans for My Cycle Problem.

[pwrmacG4]

I just got home from my LFS and I didn't get anymore gravel. The guy that works there and has for a long time said to get some bio spira (spelled wrong I know) and add it to the tank. He said for me to do water changes every other day. He said that when I do a 50% water change I am bringing the nitrite level from 5.0 to 2.5. He said "diloution of the pollution is the solution". He said that a tank can sometimes take up to 8 weeks with the amount of fish I have. He said that no matter what.. do not siphon the gravel bed. I don't have a dirty gravel bed anyway because of the catfish and algae eater, plus the undergravel filter with a powerhead. I don't overfeed either. So he says to keep up with the water changes and get the bio spira. He said that the bio spira will help the nitrifying bacteria to grow faster since that is what bio spira is. He also said that I should see the nitrites decine over the next few weeks after adding the bio spira and water changes.

the current readings were 5.0 for nitrites, ammonia 0.0, and nitrates 20

so I will keep you updated. again I know PITA DG!

 

[TabMorte]

"Dilution of the pollution is the solution."
I like that! It's so true.

Make sure the bio spiria is refrigerated when you buy it and you keep it that way or all the bacteria die.

 

[pwrmacG4]

yeah.. the bio spira is refridgerated there.. and I live about 10min away from there.. so it will stay cold. has anyone here used it? how did it work for you?

 

[pwrmacG4]

I put the bio spira in the tank this evening. I will have to wait and see what happens.

 

[pwrmacG4]

after adding the second dose of bio spira last night the nitrites are down to 1.0. I will keep my fingers crossed and hope it keeps on the decline. thanks for the help everyone

 

[pwrmacG4]

the nitrite levels are down to .25.. woo hoo!*BOUNCINGS

 

[TabMorte]

Just a couple more water changes to go!!

 

[pwrmacG4]

gosh I hope so! My water bill is going to be way up there!

 

[fearincognito]

water bill?

 

[TabMorte]

If it stays under .5 you can probably slow down to water changes every 2/3 days since you have the Prime in there detoxing and the biospira at work. At least you only ever have to do this once. When you get the new tank you can cycle fishless and you don't have to do water changes at all then.

 

[pwrmacG4]

water bill?

serious ? or a joke?

 

[pwrmacG4]

tab.. when I get my new tank I am taking the filters from the old tank and installing them on the new tank.. so hopefully I don't have to worry about a cycle..

 

[crimsontsavo]

lol, I know about the waterbill situation. Everytime I top off my (5 gallon LOL) tank, hubbies eyes start to pop..I know he's adding up the .5 cents to our waterbill, haha.

 

[Lone Wolff]

serious ? or a joke?

Probably serious. Lots of houses built outside of city water/sewer systems. All of them have their own wells. Only have to pay electricity to run the pump to get it out of the ground. Cheap way to water your yard, take as long of a shower as you like, etc.

Only bad thing is if you lose electricity, you won't have running water.

Ah........fond memories of my youth!