Mixing Bacteria in a Bottle?

[Kasey Grohowski]

May seem like a stupid question, but can you mix different brands of bacteria for cycling an aquarium? Such as API quickstart and Fritz Turbo start?

 

[ngoodermuth]

No stupid questions here! The short answer- yes, you can.

If they are different strains of bacteria, some might out compete others... but it's not harmful to use more than one.

Edit to add. Even these products may help reduce/shorten your cycle, I'd definitely still suggest monitoring your nitrite and ammonia closely both before and while adding fish.

 

[reacclimating 2 the hobby]

No stupid questions here! The short answer- yes, you can.

If they are different strains of bacteria, some might out compete others... but it's not harmful to use more than one.

+1

 

[Kasey Grohowski]

No stupid questions here! The short answer- yes, you can.

If they are different strains of bacteria, some might out compete others... but it's not harmful to use more than one.

Edit to add. Even these products may help reduce/shorten your cycle, I'd definitely still suggest monitoring your nitrite and ammonia closely both before and while adding fish.

Oh yeah of course, I read(My tank is a 220) that the bacteria should remove 1 ppm of ammonia in 24 hours, when it is cycled, or cycled enough to slowly add fish.

 

[reacclimating 2 the hobby]

Worth the read.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/bacteria-in-a-bottle-myth-or-fact.403226/

 

[ngoodermuth]

I felt I should add the disclaimer... the product marketing is a bit misleading lol. If you want to be sure your cycle is complete, you can dose a bit of ammonia (like Dr. Tim's Ammonium Chloride) and test to see if it processes properly.

 

[Res_Ipsa]

Yes! I used Dr. Tim's fishless cycle and added FritZyme 9. After my cycle stalled a bit, I did a 25% water change and did a course of MicroBactr7. That did the trick.

 

[Kasey Grohowski]

I felt I should add the disclaimer... the product marketing is a bit misleading lol. If you want to be sure your cycle is complete, you can dose a bit of ammonia (like Dr. Tim's Ammonium Chloride) and test to see if it processes properly.

I have ammonia chloride, I'm going to put in 1 ppm for 3 days to make sure.