Absolutely agree with a lack of understanding on speed of cycling. I do think most people 'get' that bacteria have to be established though.
I think the bottles of bacteria are great - but really, they only save a few days at most. My last cycle on a new tank, I didn't add any bacteria until day 8 and my ammonia had already dropped to .8 from 2.0 ppm with just the bacteria populating from the environment. Figure the bottle of ammonia can save another day or two instead of waiting for breakdown of shrimp/food - so you're going to save maybe 5-6 days total plus or minus a couple days.
And then it's only initial cycle - not a full load.
I've always thought we should use more and perhaps better defined language.
Cycle - initial stages of establishing nitrifying bacteria population to support first bioload - measured by 1 or 2ppm ammonia being consumed in 24 hours - supports x number of grams of fish - which in practice should be 3 small or 1 large (if I remember correctly from my ammonia per gram of fish). I would like to see the hobby get away from "days to cycle" and the first time you "hitting 0 ppm ammonia".
I think the bottles of bacteria are great - but really, they only save a few days at most. My last cycle on a new tank, I didn't add any bacteria until day 8 and my ammonia had already dropped to .8 from 2.0 ppm with just the bacteria populating from the environment. Figure the bottle of ammonia can save another day or two instead of waiting for breakdown of shrimp/food - so you're going to save maybe 5-6 days total plus or minus a couple days.
And then it's only initial cycle - not a full load.
I've always thought we should use more and perhaps better defined language.
Cycle - initial stages of establishing nitrifying bacteria population to support first bioload - measured by 1 or 2ppm ammonia being consumed in 24 hours - supports x number of grams of fish - which in practice should be 3 small or 1 large (if I remember correctly from my ammonia per gram of fish). I would like to see the hobby get away from "days to cycle" and the first time you "hitting 0 ppm ammonia".