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BioSpira doesn't have to be refrigerated like they originally thought. Marineland wanted it kept on ice until they could do the research to find out if it was okay just being sold on the shelf, and it is. They let my store know a while back and we've been keeping it at room temp without an issue at all. Of course, it's still important to keep it in a stable enviornment; don't leave it out in the car on a sunny day or anything weird like that.

Just thought I'd let y'all know.
-Sarah

I use this product and have had good sucess with it.....

Unfortunatly I have not yet ever been able to try Bio-Spira because no one around me carries it.

So you use it but never have tried it?

Here is where you can get Bio-Spira http://fishstoretn.com/bio_spira.html I've ordered from them and was happy. New Improved Cycle is different but gives similar results.
Steph

---

I used to be Snow White, but I drifted.
~ Mae West

Also, here is the link to Bio-Spira research info, and if you have the time, it helps explain the other products ingredients some.
http://www.marinelandlabs.com/science/nspira.asp

I'll respond on the other thread about the cloudy water.

But Bio-Spira is basically instant, NIC is not. NIC will help speed up the cycle, but it will still take a while.

I for one, would be VERY interested in reading a scientific evaluation of NIC. I use this product and have had good sucess with it. Unfortunatly I have not yet ever been able to try Bio-Spira because no one around me carries it. And frankly I can't be bothered to spend some $10-15.00 to buy it online.
I cycled a 5.5G in 3 weeks with NIC, and use it for cases when my ammonia or nitrites get a little out of wack for whatever reason.

91Bird: Read it again...

"I for one, would be VERY interested in reading a scientific evaluation of NIC. I use this product and have had good sucess with it. <<--- Notice the period Unfortunatly I have not yet ever been able to try Bio-Spira..."

"DIRECTIONS FOR USE: Shake well before each use. Use 1 ounce (29.6 ml) of BIO-Spira per 30 gallons of water. BIO-Spira cannot be overdosed. "Keep refrigerated." Be sure to shut off any UV sterilizers and remove medication by means of a water change or activated carbon."

"IMPORTANT: BIO-Spira is a "live" bacteria culture that is sold refrigerated and "must be kept refrigerated" until used. It can not be overdosed. Repeated dosing of your aquarium with ammonia removing liquids (such as BIO-Safe, Amquel, Ammo-lock and Aqua-Safe) can inhibit the beneficial action of BIO-Spira. Ammonia removing liquids should only be used to initially treat tap water. It is normal to have a small (2ppm) amount of ammonia or nitrate during the first few days after set-up. These concentrations are not harmful and will quickly drop to zero with proper use of BIO-Spira."

Well Wolfie, Marineland has a different opinion than yours as noted above.

Since the bacteria in their product is not dormant nor preserved, refrigeration is required. I would never risk leaving it at room temp.

--garyroland.

My bad AngelZoo, I got confused thinking you were talking about Bio-Spira before.

By the way, tank is still cloudy.

If you will continue doing what you're doing the tank will eventually clear...

In fact, NIC tends to cloud a tank at first but when the bacteria balance becomes a reality, the tank will slowly begin to clear.

It may take a month, it may take two months. But it will clear.

--garyroland.

NIC will take longer than 24 hours. You have to be patient with cloudy water, it really depends on your tank.

PATIENCE

Well how long does NIC usually take? Have you used it before? Cause I have waited almost 4 weeks just seeing if my tank would balance itself out before the NIC and it didn't. Its just the weirdest thing because all my testing #'s are perfect so I don't get why I would have cloudy water.

You should add all the fish for the Bio-Spira. If you do not, the bacteria won't have enough to feed on. You could add smaller doses of the Bio-Spira, adding more as you add fish.

while we're on the topic of bio-spira and NIC, i have heard that you are supposed to add all of your fish at once if you use this or else the bacterial colony it provides will not be supported. is this true?

NIC will take longer than 24 hours. You have to be patient with cloudy water, it really depends on your tank.

PATIENCE

In a previous post I talked about how my water is cloudy and yet my nitrite and nitrates are perfect, along with my P.H. and ammonia is at zero. Everyone said and swore by this Bio-Spira and New Improved Cycle so I am trying NIC to see what happens. So far not a thing and its been 24 hours.

silly question, but what are looking for? Is your ammonia, nitrite high, in which I mean did you test for it and then test for it again later and not notice anything? If so what are the test result?

***FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE USED NIC***

How long does it take for this stuff to kick in? I have had it in there for over 24 hours and I haven't notice a thing yet.

The way other people tested cycling products was pretty simple.

You take 2 tanks, same size...make sure everything is 'new' and the same in both tanks. No live plants or existing media, since that would impact the results. You can either do a fishless cycle or use fish, I know feeder goldfish have been used (hardy, cheap, and produce waste).
Feed the same, test daily, etc.

A lot of the info I picked up is from the FishGeeks forum.

Silver if you want the results first hand.

1)Get two equal sized containers(be it plastic moving bins, large glass containers etc.) get them as big or as small as you can afford and have space for.
2)two cheap filters(same size and brand) and possible heaters to speed up bacteria growth.
3)some pure ammonia(to insure equal amounts of ammonia in both systems)
4)tests Kits
5) mix in ammonia.
6)add nic
7)do regular testing
8) watch to see if the nic "tank" cycles before the non nic tank

I would do it, but unfortuantley I'm not a sciencetist.


Last edited by openwater at 12-Nov-2004 16:51

"As does that fish place
here

Interesting side note, TFP carries the old one ....most likely simply oversight in not updating their site."

Babelfish, you're exactly right about not updating their site. I've ordered that online, it was NIC and not the original kind. I've also been to their store a few times and I've only ever seen NIC.


Last edited by T/A at 12-Nov-2004 16:37