is this true?

[bettons]

My friend started a tank and is currently doing a fishless cycle. he didn't have access to some sort of bacteria starter for his tank and the only thing he had was stress zyme, he said that this contained bacteria to help develop the colony, is this true?

[amanichen]

It's true, but the problem is that it contains the wrong type of bacteria for the nitrite to nitrate conversion, only the ammonia processing bacteria is correct, so it'll help only somewhat.

The only product with the correct bacteria, at the moment, is BioSpira, and this will cycle a tank quickly.

You can also take gravel, or filter media from a tank where the fish are healthy. Your LFS might give you some of this for free.

[bettons]

that is exactly what I recommended him. i don't remember but I am sure I read it from a very very very very good web page, I think it started with my name, Brian...but I can't remember the rest

[bettons]

I forgot to ask something else, sorry. anyway my question is, will cycle do the same thing. I have heard that it produces the bacteria but no the needed benefitial bacteria, is this true? can my friend also use this as a bacteria starter?

I have heard a lot of good comments on the product cycle, so i guess it work?

[amanichen]

The short simple answer if you want bacteria in a bag is Bio Spira, because currently, it's the only one which has the right bacteria.

The rest of the explanation is here:

healthybetta.proboards19.com/index.cgi?board=waterconditioning&action=display&thread=1105394170