Fritz-Zyme Turbo Start #900

[Aberrix]

Product Link (http://www.fritzpet.com/turbo-start-900/)

Anyone have any experience with this?

(Thread is not about how to / how not to start a cycle, merely feedback on this product or similar products. Thank you.)

[ShaneDolan]

I like the Prodibio myself, a lot of people use that Biospira as well with good results. The reason I like the Prodibio is being nitrogen encapsulated at the factory should mean 0 bacteria death 100% alive.

[David Grigor]

Don't waste your money.

[Nanofins]

But what if he likes to waste his money?

No, I don't really have any experience with the Fritz-Zyme product in question. They used to (maybe still do) have some other useful products though.

[Aberrix]

I'm merely curious if anyone has used it and what sorta results they got.

[mattb]

I don't think there's anything mysterious about 'bacteria in a bag'. There are quite a few products out there - I have no experience with this brand. I have used ZEO/prodibio/BW (which are slightly different).

[Aberrix]

I have used ZEO/prodibio/BW (which are slightly different).

What was your experience? good/bad/indifferent?

[mattb]

It works.... But the product that you inquired about is different than ZEO,e tc

[David Grigor]

I tried some back in 1996. Can't speak to how long it sat on a shelf or anything too long ago. IME, it didn't seem to help speed up the cycle any. Knowing what I know now, honestly I'm not in any hurry so even if it were effective at saving a couple of weeks time it's not worth it.

[kensilvey]

I use Brightwells daily along with Vodka and a few Zeovit products.

[eswebster]

I have used the microbacter7 and think it makes a difference. Not sure if it cycles the tank any faster, but it makes a difference in the clarity of the water.

[David Grigor]

The turbo start is ONLY for startup/cycling. It only helps with ammonia/nitrites which should only be at elevated levels at startup. If you have elevated levels on an established tank then you've got real problems.

It will do nothing for water clarity of existing mature tanks. Totally different products.

[Aberrix]

The turbo start is ONLY for startup/cycling.

threat is intended for startup/cycling products only, thanks.

[David Grigor]

I was commenting on Ewebsters mentioning water clarity. This product can't do that. Totally different product.

At best this product might save few weeks +/- in setup. When looking long term two weeks or so is negligable. Use that time to plan your next steps. Save your money and do it normally. This type of product could very likely be sitting on the shelf a while which would lessen it's effectiveness or could even be expired already if you don't read the bottle carefully.

[Aberrix]

I was commenting on Ewebsters mentioning water clarity. This product can't do that. Totally different product.

I know I was just re-enforcing it since others brought up other products as well.

[REEFSTOCK]

When I was young I kept a package from Fritz Guard... I thought it was so cool my name was on a fish product!

When setting up my new tank I used the prodibio bacteria pair. It was amazing how fast the diatoms stopped and the skimmer pulled out so much gunk. But, as David says patience will get you to the same place. I usually use the patience method as well, but this time I had to make room for some corals Li picked up from Tico.

[mattb]

The products aren't too different really, both are bacteria cultures,except with a probiotic system, you dose organic carbon. ZEOvit has a dosing schedule that cycles your tank due to an increased amount of product dosing and a specific regimen.

[Aberrix]

So, against advice (I'm stubborn, hopeful?), I figured its $40 shipped isn't bad and I'd probably pay that much for some bio-spira if I could find it locally... worst case scenario I'm out $40, best case I gave things a nice little kick-start...

Interesting thing is it was shipped overnight with cold packs, had to be kept at 30-50F, had a expiration date of 11/14/09 and they says its good 3 months from manufacturer so to me that says it was produced 08/14, just 5 days before it was added... I was hoping that would mean everything was fresh and living... far more confident than something that has been sitting on the shelf for a while...

So, conditions; brand new tank, up 8 days, dry eco-rox from BRS and "dry" aragonite live sand (ocean direct)

Baseline water test;
08/19/09
Temp: 80.9
Salinity: 1.024
Ammonia: 0.25
Nitrite: 0.25
Nitrate: 0

*added Fritz-Zyme Turbo Start #900* after baseline water test.

08/20/09
Temp: 80.2
Salinity: 1.024
Ammonia: 0.25
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 0

08/21/09
Temp: 78.4
Salinity: 1.023
Ammonia: 0.25
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 0

08/24/09
Temp: 79.9
Salinity: 1.023
Ammonia: 0.25
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: > 0

I obviously turned my skimmer off before adding the Turbo Start and have since kept it off, last water test I thought I might have seen a somewhat elevated nitrate level, but definitely not much... who knows... either way I'm on day 4 of a 5 day schedule and so far I'm not seeing much happening, unless it is in fact working and hiding any elevated ammonia levels from me... who knows...

Tank will hit its 2 week birthday tomorrow...

[Aberrix]

Interesting thing last night... I tested the water and ammonia and nitrite seems almost undetectable (I always just say < 0.25 though) but my nitrate has risen quite considerably to 5-10. It all makes me kinda curious, since I believe the product is suppose to mask/lower the ammonia so you can drop fish in right away, I wonder if that's why I didn't see an ammonia spike? regardless, nitrates seem to be on the rise now so hopefully thats a sign I'm close to a diatom bloom and almost done cycling... thoughts? and don't worry, I'm still not adding anything anytime soon...

08/26/09
Temp: 76.9
Salinity: 1.023
Ammonia: < 0.25
Nitrite: < 0.25
Nitrate: 5-10

[David Grigor]

Don't bother testing nitrate until nitrite is completely gone. If there is any nitrite it interferes with the nitrate test.

Once cycle is completed ( No ammonia or nitrate ) then do a 100% or as close to a 100% water change as you can. Then your ready to add cleanup crew and maybe a hardy fish.

[Aberrix]

Don't bother testing nitrate until nitrite is completely gone. If there is any nitrite it interferes with the nitrate test.

Well, I would say last night I tested 0 for nitrite and as close to 0 as possible for ammonia, but I'm just giving myself some room and saying "< 0.25" in case someone yells "that's not possible", heh :)

going to keep an eye on it and do a sizable water change this weekend or early next week...

so once my ammonia and nitrite are 0 and nitrate is up, my cycle is complete? and its safe to start adding things? even if I haven't seen a diatom bloom?

[David Grigor]

Well the goal is to NOT have a diatom bloom thus get rid of those nitrates with a large water change.

Then add a few snails etc.

[Aberrix]

Well the goal is to NOT have a diatom bloom thus get rid of those nitrates with a large water change.

Then add a few snails etc.

ahhh, I understand now... okay, I'll do a large water change ASAP.