Aaron-Betta Posted July 12, 2009 Report Share Posted July 12, 2009 I was wondering if anyone has used "startsmart" before? I saw it on the shelf in my lfs. It says it cycles the tank instantly eliminating ammonia and nitrites. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livingart Posted July 12, 2009 Report Share Posted July 12, 2009 sorry aaron haven't used that, i use TLC which i imagine is similar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aaron-Betta Posted July 12, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 12, 2009 just seemed too good to be true. Saves cycling for 2-3 weeks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BikBok Posted July 12, 2009 Report Share Posted July 12, 2009 I use TLC too and it's great. But JBL filter start is what I just used on my last tank .. it's been going 8 weeks now and not even a hint of ammonia. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted July 12, 2009 Report Share Posted July 12, 2009 The tank cannot cycle without ammonia and nitrite because there would be no food for the bacteria to feed on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmsmith Posted July 12, 2009 Report Share Posted July 12, 2009 You are much, much better actually cycling your tank properly. Those things may look like they're working, and who knows, some actually might even work; but you'll get a better understanding of what biological processes are going on, and how you can deal with issues later if you don't add any chemicals. Personally, I won't add any chemicals to my tank if I don't have a way of testing their levels or eliminating them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David R Posted July 12, 2009 Report Share Posted July 12, 2009 I use TIME to cycle my tanks, works really well, cheaper than all those off-the-shelf products too. If you really want to spend money cycling your tank I'll sell you some seeded filter material and old water. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wok Posted July 12, 2009 Report Share Posted July 12, 2009 to be honest I don't even bother cycling. I just add fish slowly over time. haven't had any problems with this either. But with the bigger fish, i always start running a used filter in it at the start, and still add fish slowly over a period of time. oh and also fill half the tank with water from an existing tank. Sorted. 8) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whetu Posted July 12, 2009 Report Share Posted July 12, 2009 I agree with those who say you're best not to rely on an off-the-shelf product to do your cycling for you. On the other hand, I have successfully used Nutrafin Cycle to assist me to cycle a tank. In my situation, I had a major problem with beard algae. It was on the plants, driftwood, gravel and all the equipment in my tank. I had to empty the tank to move across town, so I decided to take the opportunity to throw out everything I could, and give the rest a thorough scrub-down. There is no question I removed all the good greeblies from my tank & filter in the process. When I set up the tank at the new place, fully stocked, with all equipment scrubbed, boiled and sterilised, I used the 'Cycle' product as instructed on the package. The tank cycled with a barely detectable ammonia spike, and no sign of fish illness or stress. So My advice would be: Whenever possible, cycle your tank using time, patience and an understanding of the cycling process.In an emergency, use an off-the-shelf product to assist with the cycling process.Even when using a product to assist, continue to monitor the process and prepared to intervene just as you would if you were cycling the tank without added chemicals. I haven't used "Startsmart" myself, but I would assume it is similar to the other cycling products on the market. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whetu Posted July 12, 2009 Report Share Posted July 12, 2009 to be honest I don't even bother cycling. I just add fish slowly over time. haven't had any problems with this either. But with the bigger fish, i always start running a used filter in it at the start, and still add fish slowly over a period of time. oh and also fill half the tank with water from an existing tank. Sorted. 8) Wok, surely what you meant to say is, "I don't even bother monitoring the chemistry in my tank while it is cycling." You are definitely cycling your tank. Just not checking the ammonia or nitrite readings with a test kit. Presumably though, you are still monitoring your fish for signs of stress and would be ready to intervene (major water change, etc) if you saw it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wok Posted July 12, 2009 Report Share Posted July 12, 2009 Wok, surely what you meant to say is, "I don't even bother monitoring the chemistry in my tank while it is cycling." You are definitely cycling your tank. Just not checking the ammonia or nitrite readings with a test kit. Presumably though, you are still monitoring your fish for signs of stress and would be ready to intervene (major water change, etc) if you saw it? Well spotted Whetu. You are entitled to another * to your name Then again, I honestly don't bother with any cycling when I am starting a new WCMM tank. Tank + Water + Filter + some plants, and i am away. oh and some Gravel, Fish need their eggs protected in some form :roll: But for any other fish. As what Whetu said :oops: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aaron-Betta Posted July 12, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 12, 2009 I have always cycled my tanks naturally, except if I was in a rush to establish some I would use "cycle" to add beneficial bacteria especially if I dont have an established filter to spare. I wasn't aware of these miracle cyclers that cycle overnight. (no, I still wont be using them) I was more curious about if they actually worked and how they effected the water chemistry, both short term and long term. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted July 13, 2009 Report Share Posted July 13, 2009 What does it claim on the guff sheet how it works? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whetu Posted July 13, 2009 Report Share Posted July 13, 2009 I have always cycled my tanks naturally, except if I was in a rush to establish some I would use "cycle" to add beneficial bacteria especially if I dont have an established filter to spare. I wasn't aware of these miracle cyclers that cycle overnight. (no, I still wont be using them) I was more curious about if they actually worked and how they effected the water chemistry, both short term and long term. The Nutrafin "Cycle" product worked for me (as above). As far as I can tell it kick-started the good bacteria as promised, and they stayed established in the filter. I set my tank up in May 2008 so that's just over a year ago and the long-term result seems to be a perfectly fine, stable tank. Now that I think about it, I started off by taking the initial dose of "Cycle" and using it to innoculate all my sterile filter media by pouring it straight into the filter just before hooking it up to the tank. Then the later doses I just put them into the tank water as instructed on the package. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JazzyJeff Posted July 13, 2009 Report Share Posted July 13, 2009 I have recently started 2 smallish tanks using JBL Filter start and did full water tests daily for approx 3 weeks. The first tank I added way too many fish to quickly but had no probs - ammonia levels didn't go over 0.5 at any stage - I was impressed with this product. I then started a 200l tank with JBL filter start this was following the same pattern until a party goer at my house thought it would be funny to feed them some vodka... Killed not only the few fish that were in there but I am pretty sure killed all my good bacteria also as I am getting ammonia, nitrite and nitrates showing now. I am sold on the JBL product - and would rec to anyone starting a new tank. Incidentally - the Smart Start is a TLC product Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whetu Posted July 13, 2009 Report Share Posted July 13, 2009 ... a party goer at my house thought it would be funny to feed them some vodka... Killed not only the few fish that were in there but I am pretty sure killed all my good bacteria also as I am getting ammonia, nitrite and nitrates showing now. ... Oooh hearing stuff like that makes me so mad! :evil: How dare someone kill your pets?! I would be absolutely livid if someone did that to my fish. The really sad thing is that I've heard of this happening before, with the same results. I think if I was going to have a party where people were likely to drink too much and do stuff like that, I would find a way to lock the lid on the tank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JazzyJeff Posted July 13, 2009 Report Share Posted July 13, 2009 Oooh hearing stuff like that makes me so mad! :evil: How dare someone kill your pets?! I would be absolutely livid if someone did that to my fish. The really sad thing is that I've heard of this happening before, with the same results. I think if I was going to have a party where people were likely to drink too much and do stuff like that, I would find a way to lock the lid on the tank. Usual story - uninvited guest that had to be escorted out! I say with confidence that none of my friends would do anything like that no matter how drunk! And yes I was livid... some idiots should come with "warning" tatooed on their forehead! My poor little skunk loach didn't have a chance! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aaron-Betta Posted July 13, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 13, 2009 No guff sheet that comes with it. Only thing it says on it worth mentioning is that it "eliminates ammonia and nitrite toxicity... instantly" Instructions: First condition water with standard dechorinator, add startsmart, aerate then add fish immediately. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira Posted July 13, 2009 Report Share Posted July 13, 2009 I then started a 200l tank with JBL filter start this was following the same pattern until a party goer at my house thought it would be funny to feed them some vodka... Killed not only the few fish that were in there but I am pretty sure killed all my good bacteria also as I am getting ammonia, nitrite and nitrates showing now. I guess marine tanks handle their liquor better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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