Does Cycle Even do Anything?

[Aaron]

When I started out keeping fish I dosed my tanks weekly with Cycle like the manufacturer suggested. Over time I got lazier about it and just today I cleaned my tanks and realized that I couldn't remember the last time I dumped any of the stuff in. I tested my tanks before I cleaned them and they were all pristine across the board. Neutral PH, zero ammonia, nitrates low. The last time I used the stuff was sometime back before I moved and that was in July.

Naturally the makers of the stuff aren't going to say that it is a mediocre product take it or leave it, but just how useful is the stuff? It doesn't work like Bio-Spira that much I know so what good is it?

 

[Cherokee_rose31]

it in my opinion it isnt any good, only useful when first cycling your tank. I havent used it in years and was recently told not to use stress zyme because it will make your ammonia level go up now i dont know about that but the only thing i put in my tank regularly is stress coat.

 

[trouthead]

Here is an interesting article at Practical Fishkeeping

"For decades, most books, magazines and manufacturers have claimed that the main bacteria responsible for nitrification in aquaria are Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacter.

However, research by Hovanec and colleagues disputes this, claiming that although Nitrobacter is present, it’s actually a different bacteria called Nitrospira that does the work of converting nitrite to nitrate. The research also found that Nitrosomonas winogradsky and N. europea, which are often added to maturation treatments, aren’t the main nitrifiers in freshwater either. Some experts disagree strongly with the findings.

In experiments using maturation treatments (including some mentioned here), they found they only had a minor improvement upon increasing the speed of the overall maturation process. The research suggests this is because most maturation treatments are actually based upon the wrong types of bacteria.

It proposed that these additives might introduce vitamins and other nutrients that could be responsible for the improvement shown."

and ..

"Nutrafin Cycle can be used to mature new aquaria and as a general filter booster.

Hagen claims that its bacterial cultures can remain viable for up to two years in unopened bottles, and for up to six months in opened bottles stored at room temperature."

 

[CS_sg]

I personally do not/never use the Nutrafin Cycle.. only used the Nutrafin Aqua plus when I do a major water change. Sometimes I'd even forget about it when I just top up 1 -2 gallon for the water that evaporated.

Is that Cycle really necessary after the tank is cycled? I don't think so personally.

 

[ecotank]

Yes it does do something....it removes money from your wallet better than anything!

 

[joshualee413]

Man I dont even use anything to cycle my tanks when setting up a new tank that hasnt been established yet. I find that if you have a filter that is already being used and has lots of good filter media on it then there is no need to buy cycling agents, like ecotank said, it's a waste of money. We keep several filters cycling on different tanks all the time, this way our tanks get extra filtration but if we need to we can use one of the filters on a brand new tank with no problems. Plus we fill the tanks with water from our other tanks since we know it is good water.

 

[Aaron]

So basically it may or may not do anything and I can safely save $12 by not even bothering? That was basically my take after testing my water. I didn't find it helped much cycling my last tank either.

 

[Lotus]

I would say that as long as your nitrites and ammonia are zero, you don't need to add it any more.

 

[fishmaster]

The best way is not to worry about cycling your tank, thats how I succeeded. Just put some hardy fish, not too many just about 5 or so, and let nature take its course. Also dont change your tank water and dont do any major adjustments because you wouldnt want to interrupt the bacteria from setting in. You can occasionally check your water but dont add any chemicals because they might do more harm than good.

 

[trouthead]

Welcome to the tank

Also dont change your tank water

You can change water without impairing the cycle, as the bulk of the bacteria resides in the filter and other surfaces including the gravel, and not the water column.

Water changes become a must when ammonia and nitrites reach toxic levels. Forgoing water changes will lead to sick and dead fish.

 

[Firebug]

I used to use the stuff at first.but then I got lazier about using it, and found I didn't even need it..But I do have a bottle and a half hanging around, just in case (It's not "Cycle" brand..I found a cheaper kind, that does just as well).

 

[oscarowner559]

I just use dechlorinator....I am confused.I thought that is what you cycle your tank with..I always have..

 

[danish1978]

so-what happens if I put cycle in a tank that needs to recycle and then use Nitra-zorb to combat the ammonia and nitrite levels-is one canceling out the other?

 

[Firebug]

A declorinator just neutralizes the chlorine and chloramines.."Cycle" is just a bacteria supplement. But.. a dechlorinator is a must-have!

 

[oscarowner559]

ohh. well call me cruel, but I have never bought that cycling stuff in my life.whoops..

 

[Firebug]

Nah! not cruel.. I haven't used it on one of my tanks, but the fish are doing great in it. I guess you could get it..if you want to spend some money!

 

[oscarowner559]

no siree, my fish have not suffered any losses of any fish any size (feeders not included..haha) in over 2 months. I am good.I aint wasting my money on that stuff..

 

[fishcraziee]

What about Bio-Zyme does that do anything? *SUPERSMIL*SUPERSMIL*SUPERSMIL

 

[ashleigh]

the only one I have heard people say might work is bio- spira, but I haven't heard conclusively on that one either.

 

[erirku]

I don't know what good is cycling for? To have bacteria breakdown what and do this? Its all confusing to me I say. No offenses, but when I start up a new tank, I just add clean FW from the tap, add some dechlorinator and HOB filter and set it up from there. Never had a problem with fish dying in HRS or in a week. Maybe those weak tetras, but I buy alot because they tend to do that. And neons are good indicators of water quality. And no I don't buy tetras and use them to test my H2O. I love'em.