Microbe-Lift PL or Microbe-Lift PL Professional Blend?

[smithvillemike]

At the risk of upsetting Don, I'm going to ask a question along the same lines...

What about those who have just changed out their filtration on a new pond. the beneficial bacteria won't grow when the water is down to 45 degrees. You want to get the filter going since you have koi. Would this be an appropriate time to use this stuff.

can you see me ducking?

Mike

[KoiCop]

Sorry, but I'm not familiar with that specific product, Eugene -- or with what claims it might be making or why Maeda-san adds it?

When cycling new ponds (or uncycled QT filters) there are all sorts of commercial and homebrew additives that different folks swear by.

Personally, I think some of them just might help to set the stage for proper cycling; in fact, I followed Dr. Roddy's advice and added BS & Koi Clay to the hospital tank I set up a couple of weeks ago in hopes of speeding up the cycle.

As for bottled beneficial bio-bugs? We know the bugs we need to establish in our filters are highly aerobic. So whatever the bottled bugs are, we know they're not aerobic -- or they wouldn't be sitting in a sealed bottle on the shelf. Right?

Here's an excellent thread that explains all this much better than I ever will:
Making your own Bottled Bacteria

By JR on Koishack 7 Feb 2007
http://koishack.com/forums/index.php...opic=8072&st=0

[lypope]

I've seen lots of data about this "stuff" over the years and none of it is alive, so it does nothing, zip, nada to help cycle a new pond. The best bet to cycle a new pond or q-tank a little quicker is to take some of the media from an existing pond. Dead smelly stuff in a bottle isn't going to help. Sorry, there really aren't any quick fixes in ponding...

[KoiCop]

Quote: Originally Posted by smithvillemike At the risk of upsetting Don, I'm going to ask a question along the same lines... What about those who have just changed out their filtration on a new pond. the beneficial bacteria won't grow when the water is down to 45 degrees. You want to get the filter going since you have koi. Would this be an appropriate time to use this stuff. can you see me ducking? Mike

No need to duck, Mike. Good question, in fact.

Now just think about what you've said for a minute.

Your beneficial bacteria won't grow when the water is down to 45 degrees -- and these are the highly aerobic bio-bugs we want and need, right?

So why would anyone think that bottled bugs, which are not aerobic (whatever else they are), will grow any better, will become established and will get the filter going at that same prohibitive temperature?

Doesn't make any sense to me. Makes money, sure. But doesn't make sense.

[smithvillemike]

Ok... continuing down this path, and sorry if I hijacked the thread...

How about addng something like ultimate during the winter months when the filters have trouble keeping up with the ammonia? Or is this another myth I keep reading?

Mike

[lypope]

Mike, where you live you shouldn't have much of a blip in your filtration. I live one zone north of you and I don't have any trouble with mine - I do water changes regularly even in the wintertime and haven't had any problems show up at all. I'm sure that people who live in much colder climates have concerns about the efficiency of their filters come springtime, but where you and I live it shouldn't be a concern.

[smithvillemike]

Thanks, I'm just a born worrier when it comes to my pets. The new pond was finished in March and I added the nexus on 31 dec so even thou my tests are good I keep wondering if I should do something more.

[jomoma]

the hart of my question is do you know the difference between the two products. My pond is frozen 3 inches thick right now. last year it froze and i walked across it. I have no benificail bactiria right now probably. So my crime is i got some bugs. you cali pond guys don't need to worry about 35 degree water.

The fizz crap i used i gave a half dose and did a water change the next day. It was the first time i used it. the cheap stuff has the same ingredience that koi magizines talk about useing, potasium or some crap. lol, i am funny.

i have no defence for the fizz crap but my question still has not been answerd.

Infact last year was the first time i bought in to the hype of microb lift. i used a quart that i bought at the nursery from sep on. i bought it this year because there was a really good deal online and i thought the stuff was good for your pond. my mistake.

[Nancy M.]

Quote: Originally Posted by jomoma the hart of my question is do you know the difference between the two products. My pond if frozen 3 inches thick right now. last year it froze and i walked across it. I have no benificail bactiria right now probably. So my crime is i got some bugs. you cali pond guys don't need to worry about 35 degree water. The fizz crap i used i gave a half dose and did a water change the next day. It was the first time i used it. the cheap stuff has the same ingredience that koi magizines talk about useing, potasium or some crap. lol, i am funny. i have no defience for the fizz crap but my question still has not been answerd. Infact last year was the first time i bought in to the hipe of microb lift. i used a quart that i bought at the nursery from sep on. i bought it this year because there was a really good deal online and i thought the stuff was good for your pond. my mistake.

Damn what part of Compton do you live in??? I live about 20 miles from you,... pond froze over???

[lypope]

As has been stated before, this is a serious koi board for serious koi keepers. Most of us have been in the hobby for years and have moved beyond the hype. I doubt if you're going to get an answer about the difference in two products that no one here uses. I suggest that you contact Microbe-Lift or check for ingredient lists on their web-site.

Oh, and a lot of us don't live in California...