Archivarium 2004

[zoffoperskof]

[anonapersona]

I've seen some evidence that using dried bacteria actually works.

I've used dry biowheels, not cleaned after use and stored in the attic in heat and cold for 9 months, and seen a high dose of ammonia plunge over the course of 7 days. Another test by someone else using a dry sponge filter saw similar cycled tanks effects in a matter of days.

I have a jar of dried mulm, filter dirt that I allowed to dry in the sun, maybe one day I'll test this.

[Cory]

So Cycle is a waste of money then? I know never to use the doasge they reccomend on the bottles of these things (3 capfuls for a 20 gallon(UK) tank with the fertiliser for example ) but I would have thought it would help the tank. It's certainly never had a negative effect.
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Here fishy fishy....

[Chaffe]

[MarkLehr]

I have always believed that dried bacteria will quickly cycle an aquarium. I have not had to cycle a tank in years. I have a 55 gallon tote full of used gravel and another full of crushed coral. I always use these substrates to set up my tanks and they always cycle within days. I've been doing this for well over 10 years now, and have done so no less than 100 times.

[MarkLehr]

As to the original question of using an established freshwater filter to set up a marine aquarium, I have a very different opinion.

I believe that the secret to successful saltwater aquariums is to be extremely patient with every step you take. Even if your idea can work, I am concerned about the desire to rush the process. We would have no way to determine the stability of the system and if you have a Nitrite spike in 3 months we will have no way of knowing if the filter ever really established properly.

I would start with nothing short of a clean aquarium and/or used marine filter media. Take your time. Be patient. Consider every decision for several days before taking action. When it comes to marine, less is more!

[KDodds]

First, the "theory" that all bacteria responsible for nitrification are either FW or SW is not true, there are some that can and do thrive under both conditions. Second, warm-stocked "cultures" are of little use except maybe as nutrient loads. Third, refrigerated cultures do seem to be of use in stalled cycles, especially those where nitrIte is holding steady above unreadable for extended periods of time. And last, as has already been stated, bacteria will, most often, occur "spontaneously" with no "culture" intentionally added, making even products that are valid completely unnecessary and a pretty high costing "unnecessariness" at that.
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Kieron Dodds
Inside Aquatics
www.insideaquatics.com

[MarkLehr]