Store Bought Bacteria

[torombolo]

Hello fellow reefers, returning hobbyist after a hiatus due to life stuff getting in the way LOL, not a 100% newbie but always learning and this one is new to me. I will be starting a 28g nano in a few days and my plan was to start with turbostart 900 or one and only or any of those to kick stat the Cycle as I believe they are all the same JMHO, but the local store next door told me they make there own live bact to sell in house. Being that I have been away for a while and move to a deferent state, don't have my usual trusty LFS, is this common? Does it work or more direct, how could I know if is just snake oil in a bottle?

Thanks in advance

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

turbostart 900 or one and only or any of those to kick stat the Cycle as I believe they are all the same JMHO, but the local store next door told me they make there own live bact to sell in house.

Based on the results I've seen shared from different bottle bacteria strains, I would only expect Fritz Turbostart 900, Dr. Tim's One and Only, and Biospira to provide bacteria for an instant cycle; I would seriously hesitate to trust an LFS to make its own, effective bacteria blend for a number of reasons.

Dr. Reef said:
Few years ago I conducted a massive study here on r2r. It's called bacteria in bottle myth or fact.
We studied 9 or 10 different brands.
Fritz turbostart 900 wins in every way possible.
Bio Spira and Dr Tim one and only are runner ups.
Rest I found might be hetrotrophic ammonia sludge removers.
We use instant cycles in our qt tanks in between bleaching tanks.
Never had any issues. I use fritz turbstart 900.
Bleach the tank. Air dry for 24 hrs rinse and reset. Fill up the tank and use 2 to 3 times the amount recommended and release fish.
Algae is normal phase of every tank cycle that likely can't be avoided.

 

[PharmrJohn]

Well, they do work. But it's also possible to get a dud bottle of dead bacteria. Just depends on how it was stored. Your best bet in getting a bottle shipped to you is this time of year. Moderate temperatures. It isn't 6000 degrees in the back of the truck.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I will be starting a 28g nano in a few days and my plan was to start with turbostart 900 or one and only or any of those to kick stat the Cycle as I believe they are all the same JMHO, but the local store next door told me they make there own live bact to sell in hous

They are not close to all the same.

Not all Cycling Bacteria are created equal. Who's who, and what do they need?

My hypothesis is that there are very different types of Bacteria that are being used to "cycle" tanks to prevent ammonia accumulation, and it's not entirely clear which products contain which group, and it's also poorly understood what the requirements are for one of these groups to do their...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[folsomreefing]

All my locals just sell bottled but not sure about other areas. I would probably buy what I know works and the only way to know if it works is by using it.

 

[torombolo]

Thanks for the reply's and advise, stick to what u know right, Fritz it is.