Tetra SafeStart Plus, For Newly Set-Up Fish aquariums, 100 ml, 3.38-Ounce

I have been using this product for over ten years, and have started at least five aquariums from scratch using it. There is a persistent myth that Seachem Prime water conditioner will starve the beneficial bacteria in SafeStart; this is totally false. Prime converts ammonia NH3 into ammonium NH4+. Both ammonia and ammonium are food for the beneficial bacteria in Tetra SafeStart.I just finished setting up a 25-gallon zebrafish aquarium using Tetra Safestart. I used a new aquarium, new filter and media, and new gravel. Here are the steps I took.1. I set up the tank, filled it with 75-degree F water, started the heater and filter and let it run for an hour.2. I dechlorinated with 1 teaspoon of Seachem Prime (double dose for that volume of water)3. I went to the fish store and bought my fish the same day.4. I acclimated the fish to the tank by floating the bag, then released the fish into the aquarium.5. I took my three bottles of Tetra SafeStart (3.38 oz. each) and shook them for a timed two minutes. Shaking Tetra SafeStart vigorously is very important. It is also important that the date on the sticker on the bottom of the bottle is at least ten months in the future, preferably a year or more. The fresher the SafeStart is, the better it will work.6. I poured the Tetra SafeStart into the aquarium.7. I fed the fish sparingly each day.8. I used a test kit to test ammonia levels each day. It never rose above .259. After two weeks, my water parameters were Ammonia: 0 Nitrite: 0 NitrAte: 5-10If ammonia goes too high when cycling, it is okay to add Seachem Prime to detoxify it. If I want to reduce ammonia during cycling, I turn off the filters and do a water-only water change, which means dipping water out of tank with a pitcher and not vacuuming gravel or cleaning filter. The bacteria do not float around in the water after a day or two. They colonize filter media and the gravel, so it's okay to replace water dipped from the tank. Make sure to dechlorinate replacement water.Tetra SafeStart works very well to quickly establish a biofilter in an aquarium as long as the Tetra Safestart has not been exposed to temperature extremes or gotten too close to its expiration date.Seachem Prime can be used at the very same time as Tetra Safestart and the bacteria will thrive.

Works well. I have done this successfully several times. Make sure you purchase Tetra SafeStart "Plus" and not just SafeStart. Bottle labels are almost identical. Check with the manufacturer if you have questions.Follow the SafeStart "Plus" directions for your size tank. Check the various manufacturer's sites for directions on all products you plan to use.My personal suggestions follow. Patience helps.I am not in favor of fishless starting, while others prefer it. My preference is to start the cycle with fish. Purchase at your LFS, a hardy danio/minnow that you will either keep or return/donate unharmed after a short time. My method proceeds like this: After establishing a stable temperature and filter/light setup for a couple of days, (1) add chlorine/chloramines conditioner, (2) SafeStart "Plus", (3) an ammonia/nitrite/nitrate conditioning additive, and (4) finally the one danio, all in about a 15-minute period in the described order to your aquarium. Additives are used in accordance with manufacturer's recommended concentrations and directions.I prefer to introduce fish slowly rather than all at once. An exception would be extremely territorial types.I am uncomfortable guessing as to the formation of the cycling process, so I test for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate every couple of days. Some skip testing for ammonia. When nitrite forms, then increases substantially and then decreases to "0" and nitrate forms, the cycle is complete. Another fish, or two, may be added when nitrite and ammonia readings are both "0". Overall, ammonia should always remain "0". Nitrite should always remain "0". Continue fish addition each week or so, adding fish sparingly to not more than the stocking maximum for your size aquarium. Less is better. Be patient. Test water parameters.In an abundance of caution, I add a small amount of SafeStart "Plus" daily for about a week or two. Every other day, I add chlorine/chloramines conditioner (converts the chlorine/chloramines and also the ammonia to less toxic forms) to reduce stress on the fish. Dose the conditioner as per bottle directions.What is happening: (1) The bottle bacteria initiate the cycle until naturally forming bacteria are established within the filter and on aquarium surfaces. The natural bacteria are required long term. (2) The chlorine/chloramines/ammonia conditioner converts these chemicals to less toxic forms to help protect the fish during the cycle initiation. (3) Maintain the filter as directed by the manufacturer. Make regular, periodic conditioned water changes, as per your LFS suggestions.The use of modern, chlorine/chloramines/ammonia conditioners during the cycling initiation will not interfere with cycle completion. Check with the manufacturer if concerned.There are several excellent chlorine/chloramines/ammonia conditioning products available. Always use them in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations. I have my favorites. Consult your LFS for advice and confirm on the manufacturer's site. An abundance of helpful reference literature on aquariums is available.

I don’t have the patience to go through weeks to stabilize and nitrogen cycle so combination of three things keep all my fishes alive from the first day after I setup the tank 1) API master test kit 2) Seachem Prime 3) Tetra Safe start (This product) . Seachem Prime can go upto 5 times the dose so i usually use everyday for the first week to keep the ammonia , Nitrite , Nitrates non toxic for the fishes, I pour the full bottle of Tetra self start which starts working is magic of beneficial bacteria. I use API master test kit to keep tag on water parameters through the first 3 weeks. I’m yet to see Ammonia , Nitrite or Nitrate spike in any of my tanks and fishes thrive from day one of a new tank setup. I stopped moving biomax or filters around from one tank to another. I just change 25% of water every weekend. With such products , legacy way of doing nitrogen cycle is now just a myth. Proven multiple times. Within 4 weeks , tanks are stabilized to a natural cycle with bacteria breaking down the ammonia and nitrites and plants sucking up all the nitrates to thrive. Just make sure other water parameters are also in place. I just use RO water with Seachem Equilibirum to reminerlize and also keep tag of the PH and KH. After a while you will get used to the right amount the tanks require to maintain that balance

We use it for new tanks and after large water changes. Works well.