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So to begin cycling my 20 gallon tank i could buy 2 tiger barbs and just wait for a couple weeks to develop the good bacteria?

You could... or you could try some of that stuff Gary Roalnd swears by: new improve cycle, i think is it's name. But then, maybe he owns shares in that company

Also talk to your LFS and see if they'll let you take some gravel to 'seed' the tank with bacteria.

With a 20 gallon and two Tiger Barbs it may take quite awhile for you to get to the cycled phase.

I've heard great things about using Bio-Spira as well. I believe the New Improved Cycle is an option but by no means can compete with the Bio-Spira from what I have seen here.

Yea thanks for the reply guys i think im just going to buy some ammonia and do the non-fish cycle.

You may find the following test I did interesting.

Bio-Spira Experiment

This posting is not intended to either endorse or condemn a product. This is merely a posting of my findings conducting an experiment.

Purpose:

To document the effects of Bio-Spira product used during a Fishless Cycle in a new system.

Day One:

Set up 29-Gallon aquarium with an Eheim Professional 2224 canister filter, 125-watt heater and a 30 bubble wall. Filled with tap water and started system. Added recommended dose of Stress Coat. Let stand with system running for 24 hours.

Day Two:

Dosed the tank with 1 oz. of Bio-Spira.
Dosed the tank with ammonia to equal 5 ppm.

Day Three:

Tested ammonia. Reading was a 3 ppm.
Tested nitrite. Reading was 0 ppm
Tested nitrate. Reading was 0 ppm
Dosed the tank with same amount of ammonia as day one.

Day Four:
Tested ammonia. Reading was a 3 ppm
Tested nitrite. Reading was 0.3 ppm

Tank was dosed with the amount of ammonia as day one.

Day Five:

Tested ammonia. Reading was 1.5 ppm
Tested nitrite. Reading was 0.3 ppm
Tested nitrate. Reading was 5.0 ppm

Tank was dosed with the amount of ammonia as day one.

Day Six:

Tested ammonia: Reading was 0.25 ppm
Tested nitrite: Reading was 0.3 ppm
Tested nitrate: Reading was a shade between 5.0 and 10.0

Tank was dosed with the amount of ammonia as day one.


Day Seven:

Tested ammonia: Reading was 0 ppm
Tested nitrite: Reading was 0 ppm
Tested Nitrate: Reading was 10 ppm
Tested GH: Reading was 4
Tested KH: Reading was 5
Tested PH: Reading was 8.0

In my opinion the tank is cycled and ready for fish after a 30% water change.

Comments On The Test Results

My expectations upon starting the experiment were to see a similar result as I did with the first two times I used the product in which fish were used. Namely, when used with fish, there was extremely slight ammonia and nitrite spike and then readings of 0 within four days.

I was rather surprised when taking readings on the fourth day (Fifth Day) and finding that the tank produced readings of 1.5 ppm ammonia and 0.3 ppm of nitrite.

Conclusion

Counting from the time the Bio-Spira and ammonia were added, a brand new tank and filtration system were fully cycled in six days.

Bio-Spira claims that fish can be added immediately, with no adverse effects, after a correct dosage of its product. This test did produce dangerous levels of ammonia for five days after being added. However, in retrospect, I dont believe that a new tank stocked to appropriate levels would produce ammonia anywhere near the 5 ppm range on the first day and it took the product a few days to catch up.

I personally believe in the merits of the product as stated by the manufacturer. However, as users we have no guarantee on how the product was handled in transport from the time it left the manufacturer or how it is treated by the LFS (it does need to be refrigerated at all times).

Using the product in a Fishless Cycle would seem to be the most prudent use of the product. If it is in good condition and works, Great, you have a cycled tank in six to seven days. If it is a bad batch you have lost nothing (but the cost of the product) and can continue on with the normal fishless cycle process.

Thats really good Bryce. LEts see if I can replicate it using NIC.