Turbo start 900

[panda0310]

So got some info and I’m not sure. My LFS advised me to get turbo start 900 and a pair of clown fish as my start up? Is this correct?

 

[lapin]

No
Turbo start 9000 and some ammonia. Dose to 2ppm.

 

[Wonkabar]

Start with turbo and ammonia. Wait till your tank can reduce ammonia from 2ppm to zero in 24 hours. Then add the clowns

 

[rayadog]

To be honest, yes you can do this. But it may or may not be stressful on the fish. You’ll have to ask them. They’ll likely make it, but it’s considered a cruel and possibly tortuous gamble; especially when you can just take the advice above.

 

[exnisstech]

I addition to what has been mentioned which I agree with the lfs is most likely referring to adding two small clowns which do not make a pair. If you want clowns and are willing to deal with the aggression that usually takes place after adding two at once when they are deciding who is going to become female you could but I would still go the ammonia route vs fish cycling. You don't have to use aquarium specific ammonia. I've used household ammonia with no additives like soap or fragrance. Also a chunk of shrimp or ghost feeding the tank works.

 

[rayadog]

+1 for ghost feeding.

 

[Fish Fan]

So got some info and I’m not sure. My LFS advised me to get turbo start 900 and a pair of clown fish as my start up? Is this correct?

This "works" with - and only with - the Fritz TurboStart product, which by many accounts does allow fish to be safely added almost immediately after starting the tank and adding the TurboStart.

However, the Fritz product doesn't contain the bacteria that you want long-term for your bio filter. Think of Fritz like a band-aid, not a cure. The long-term bacteria that you want to grow still takes 3-4 weeks or more, that's just biology.

I do agree with other posters here, I don't recommend doing what's called a fish-in cycle like your fish store suggest for the reasons others have mentioned. I too suggest doing a fish-less cycle using bottled bacteria and a source of ammonia (ammonium chloride, ammonium bicarbonate, A LOT of fish food, or a piece of shrimp from the seafood market).

With that in mind, I'm going to suggest not using the Fritz TurboStart and instead try something like Dr. Tim's One and Only because I believe that product actually contains (some of) the real nitrifying bacteria that you want in the long-term.

How To Fishless Cycle Your Aquarium Using Dr. Tim's One and Only Bacteria Additive

Learn to perform a fishless cycle in your new aquarium using Dr. Tim's One and Only Live Nitrifying Bacteria.

www.bulkreefsupply.com

Fishless Cycling | DrTim's Aquatics

The term "fishless cycling" refers to the process of establishing the nitrifying bacteria in a newly set-up aquarium without using fish which are used in the traditional cycling method. The problem associated with using fish in the cycling period is that normally, when establishing the...

www.drtimsaquatics.com

Quick Guide to Fishless Cycling | DrTim's Aquatics

Quick Guide to Fishless Cycling with One & Only There are many opinions about how to fishless cycle your aquarium. But they normally just confuse readers and generate more questions than answers. Below is an article explaining the process and a couple of ways to fishless cycle, which we...

www.drtimsaquatics.com

Good luck!

 

[vetteguy53081]

So got some info and I’m not sure. My LFS advised me to get turbo start 900 and a pair of clown fish as my start up? Is this correct?

Do bacteria first then add fish when cycled, not at the same time. when ammonia rises then falls and holds a steady reading of Zero for at least 5 days and also nitrate rises and falls and holds at 20 or below- you are cycled.