masterswimmer

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Has anyone tried the bacteria additives like Dr. Tim's Nitrifying Bacteria? Does this really kick start the cycling by loading your startup tank with good bacteria?


We came across a very interesting company/line of products at MACNA in Atlanta this year. The company is Ecological Laboratories. They have been in the commercial water treatment business for about 30 years. At this years summer Olympics in Beijing they were the company that was charged with the responsibility to clean up the man made skulling 'lake'. That long rectangular lake or pond where they had the rowing competitions was completely green and this company was brought in to 'make it right'. Well they succeeded. They also had the marathon swimming in there as well. So it was clean enough for human health safety.

The line of products is called
Bacterial Aquarium Balancer and Microbe-Lift/ NITE-OUT II.

Here are the product descriptions:

Microbe-Lift/ NITE-OUT II:

  • Specially Formulated For Rapid Ammonia & Nitrite Reduction
  • MICROBE-LIFT/NITE-OUT II is designed specifically for pond waters that contain marine life. Its highly-specialized microbial consortium of nitrifying cultures are specially formulated to eliminate ammonia via a natural biological process termed nitrification. The cultures contained in MICROBE-LIFT/NITE-OUT II will establish, promote or stabilize and maintain nitrification in pond waters, eliminating the toxic effect of ammonia.
  • MICROBE-LIFT/NITE-OUT II liquid nitrifying bacteria contains select strains of Nitrosomonas, Nitrospira and Nitrobacter. Nitrosomonas convert ammonia to nitrite and Nitrobacter and Nitrospira convert nitrite to nitrate.
  • MICROBE-LIFT/NITE-OUT II comprises select microorganisms that are autotrophic-able to use carbon dioxide as the sole source of carbon-and are relatively slow growing, requiring specific conditions for optimum growth with typical cell division rates from 8 to 16 hours. Their performance and rate of growth are impacted by the environmental parameters required for nitrification.
  • They are also highly oxygen-sensitive, requiring high dissolved oxygen levels (greater than
  • 2 mg/L) to achieve maximum growth rates. Nitrite is produced by beneficial bacteria in the pond and the oxidation of harmful waste ammonia excreted by fish. Even though nitrite is not as toxic as ammonia, it is still very damaging to the health of fish.
  • Initiates nitrification
  • Promotes stable nitrification
  • Provides stable cold weather nitrification
  • Safe for use around plants and animals
Nite Out II:


Reef, Marine & Freshwater Safe
Bacterial Products

  • Treats up to 950 gallons
  • Nitrifying Bacteria specially formulated for rapid ammonia and nitrite reduction
  • Decreases Ammonia and Nitrite toxicity
  • Designed specifically for aquarium waters that contain marine life. Its highly-specialized microbial consortium of nitrifying cultures are specially formulated to eliminate ammonia via a natrual biological process termed nitrification. The cultures will establish, promote or stabilize and maintain nitrification in aquarium waters, eliminating the toxic effect of ammonia.
  • This liquid nitrifying bacteria contains select strains of Nitrosomonas, Nitrospira and Nitrobacter.
  • Nitrosomonas oxidize ammonia to nitrite and Nitrobacter and Nitrospira oxidize nitrite to nitrate.
The company representatives showed us the independent governmental testing they had to have done because they use these products commercially, in and around natural waterways. So strict laws protect what they can use. They only got into the aquarium trade recently because they figured they were selling the products commercially anyway, why not just put a new label and packaging on it and sell it to another market with no product changes.

I've got lots more information about this if you need it.

Russ
 

masterswimmer

Old School Reefer
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Missed one other product. This is the one that is key to 'no cycle time'. Add fish after a couple of hours!!!!
Special Blend:

Reef, Marine & Freshwater Safe
Bacterial Products

  • Treats up to 30 gallon tank for up to 16 weeks
  • Dramatically reduces need for water changes & cleanings
  • Keeps tanks clean and clear longer
  • Good for salt and freshwater fish
  • Chemical free
  • Also available in 8.5 oz. & 16 oz.
With the Nite Out and Special Blend you'd be able to add fish the same day.

Russ
 

marrone

The All Powerful OZ
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There are a number of products that use bacteria to covert the nitrite and ammonia into nitrates, just like Nite Out II claims to do. These products do work, and let you place fish in right away.

Though they maybe fine for FO or FOWLR tanks they shouldn't be used for Reef tanks. When these products convert the nitrites and ammonia into nitrates, the levels are high enough to kill most corals, though most fish can take them without a problem and they're much less toxic than nitrites or ammonia.
 

duke62

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KathyC
Rafflemeister


Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Barnum Island
Posts: 4,205
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Would just like to add that cycling is complete not only after your ammonia & nitrites drop to zero, but you also want to wait until your nitrates rise and then drop down to zero (or very close to zero) before you can consider it done.

As Bob mentioned if the live rock came from an established tank, your cycle will go faster and your bacteria can basically feed off of what is in/on the rock.
If the rock came from a LFS - you will actually have to 'feed' the bacteria in order to keep the good bacteria alive. You can do this by putting a small amount (think the size of your fingernail) of flake food into the tank every second or third day.
If the bacteria in the tank is able to absorb the flake food without raising the ammonia level..then you're not adding too much.
__________________
just keep this in your file kathy :lol2:
 

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