Truth or Snake Oil?

C-Russ · 10/21/2009, 01:03 PM

I was on browsing craigslist to come across this ad.

Is this bunk or could there be some truth to it?

Aquarium Bacteria (freshwater,brackish and marine) - $2

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Date: 2009-10-18, 11:53PM CDT
Reply to: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX@craigslist.org [Errors when replying to ads?]

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Up for sale is some aquarium bacteria I have cultivated. These bacteria take harmful nitrates, ammonia and other contaminants and convert them into harmless/ significantly less harmful matter.

This is necessary for starting a new aquarium if you don't want to wait days or weeks for it to develop itself. These bacterias can be purchased at fish stores usually for 10 dollars or more and it will often be dead or non active, why not get some straight from the source?

Please keep in mind that once these are purchased they need to be put in your aquarium within 2 hours, they will not live long in the container I provide or any still water
I have varieties for Freshwater, Brackish and Marine aquariums.
2 Dollars for a vial with filter media. For an additional dollar I will test a water sample from your tank for nitrates,nitrites, PH,alkalinity and hardness

Call or text XXX-XXX-XXXXfor any questions. Before you come please let me know the specific gravity, and temperature of your water and species in your tank so I know what bacteria you need as I have MANY different varieties.
Emails welcome as well. Aquarium, Filter, Marine, Canister, Skimmer, Fish Tank.

Location: Wood Dale
it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests

wooden_reefer · 10/21/2009, 01:06 PM

Not necessarily snake oil. It is possible to create and sell truly cycled medium.

I think it is, however.

Valid as seed to start a cycle; not as cycled medium, likely.

cas · 10/21/2009, 01:28 PM

Around here people are willing to give you a cup or 2 of sand from their established reef for free. They also sell it for about $0.50 a pound when they take down a tank. This sounds like the guy is just selling sand out of his tank.

serpentman · 10/21/2009, 01:37 PM

To me, this is the same thing as selling "bottled tap water". Yes you can drink it, however its nothing different than what comes out of your faucet.

My vote is both the store bought stuff and what this guy's peddling are snake oil. This guy isn't selling you anything that your tank won't develop on its own, especially if you have LR. One vial, unless applied to a 5g tank, isn't going to change your cycle measurably.

greggnyce · 10/21/2009, 01:40 PM

We all have that bacteria in our tanks so technically he could be selling tank water.

bsagecko · 10/21/2009, 01:48 PM

This is more than likely complete BS

the fastest way to cycle is:

liverock and livesand and tank water from an already established reef

liverock and livesand from a reputable dealer

the key is patience and testing

billdogg · 10/21/2009, 02:49 PM

The truth of the matter is this - there are so few of the bacteria needed for proper biological filtration in the water itself that you would be just as far ahead to use fresh (dechlorinated) tapwater. In fact - if you take a completely sterile setup,toss in a couple flakes of fishfood or any other organic matter,leave it sit with some small amount of circulation at somewhere close to the corrct temp, you to will have bacteria capable of breaking down fish waste into less harmful substances.

Before I ramble any longer - I got this bridge for sale...........

C-Russ · 10/21/2009, 03:17 PM

I thought this might start a flame storm. I was thinking, if this is something that helps then you could get it everywhere and it would be recomended with your LR purchases, but then I thought about the "live" sand that comes with the packets of "good bacteria" and thought, hmmmmmmmmmmmm.

I am leaning towards urban myth on this one, wonder if SNOPES will have anything on this??

Plan>B · 10/21/2009, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by C-Russ

I am leaning towards urban myth on this one, wonder if SNOPES will have anything on this??

Ask MythBusters

10/21/2009, 01:03 PM	#1
C-Russ Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Naperville, IL Posts: 189	Truth or Snake Oil? I was on browsing craigslist to come across this ad. Is this bunk or could there be some truth to it? Aquarium Bacteria (freshwater,brackish and marine) - $2 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: 2009-10-18, 11:53PM CDT Reply to: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX@craigslist.org [Errors when replying to ads?] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Up for sale is some aquarium bacteria I have cultivated. These bacteria take harmful nitrates, ammonia and other contaminants and convert them into harmless/ significantly less harmful matter. This is necessary for starting a new aquarium if you don't want to wait days or weeks for it to develop itself. These bacterias can be purchased at fish stores usually for 10 dollars or more and it will often be dead or non active, why not get some straight from the source? Please keep in mind that once these are purchased they need to be put in your aquarium within 2 hours, they will not live long in the container I provide or any still water I have varieties for Freshwater, Brackish and Marine aquariums. 2 Dollars for a vial with filter media. For an additional dollar I will test a water sample from your tank for nitrates,nitrites, PH,alkalinity and hardness Call or text XXX-XXX-XXXXfor any questions. Before you come please let me know the specific gravity, and temperature of your water and species in your tank so I know what bacteria you need as I have MANY different varieties. Emails welcome as well. Aquarium, Filter, Marine, Canister, Skimmer, Fish Tank. Location: Wood Dale it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests

10/21/2009, 01:37 PM	#4
serpentman part time superhero Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Deep in the Heart of the Snowbelt (NE OHIO) Posts: 5,698	To me, this is the same thing as selling "bottled tap water". Yes you can drink it, however its nothing different than what comes out of your faucet. My vote is both the store bought stuff and what this guy's peddling are snake oil. This guy isn't selling you anything that your tank won't develop on its own, especially if you have LR. One vial, unless applied to a 5g tank, isn't going to change your cycle measurably. __________________ BS in Marine Bio ('96), First SW tank in 1992. Current Tank(s) 300g SPS with 90g frag tank and 40 anemone tank - decommissioned 46g LPS/Softy Cube 300g FOWLR under construction - decommissioned

10/21/2009, 01:40 PM	#5
greggnyce Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Bellport, New York Posts: 1,782	We all have that bacteria in our tanks so technically he could be selling tank water. __________________ What you talkin about Mrs Lime. Current Tank Info: 120 gl oceanic tech, 30 gallon fuge, 40 gallon sump, Itech 200 skimmer, LED Lighting . Mixed reef.

10/21/2009, 01:48 PM	#6
bsagecko Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 1,752	This is more than likely complete BS the fastest way to cycle is: liverock and livesand and tank water from an already established reef liverock and livesand from a reputable dealer the key is patience and testing __________________ There are three things that will never be believed- the true, the probable, the logical (Steinbeck) Obey little, Resist much Current Tank Info: 24g AIO

10/21/2009, 02:49 PM	#7
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	The truth of the matter is this - there are so few of the bacteria needed for proper biological filtration in the water itself that you would be just as far ahead to use fresh (dechlorinated) tapwater. In fact - if you take a completely sterile setup,toss in a couple flakes of fishfood or any other organic matter,leave it sit with some small amount of circulation at somewhere close to the corrct temp, you to will have bacteria capable of breaking down fish waste into less harmful substances. Before I ramble any longer - I got this bridge for sale........... __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer

10/21/2009, 01:06 PM	#2
wooden_reefer Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 4,670	Not necessarily snake oil. It is possible to create and sell truly cycled medium. I think it is, however. Valid as seed to start a cycle; not as cycled medium, likely.

10/21/2009, 01:28 PM	#3
cas Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Arlington Hts., IL Posts: 748	Around here people are willing to give you a cup or 2 of sand from their established reef for free. They also sell it for about $0.50 a pound when they take down a tank. This sounds like the guy is just selling sand out of his tank.

10/21/2009, 03:17 PM	#8
C-Russ Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Naperville, IL Posts: 189	I thought this might start a flame storm. I was thinking, if this is something that helps then you could get it everywhere and it would be recomended with your LR purchases, but then I thought about the "live" sand that comes with the packets of "good bacteria" and thought, hmmmmmmmmmmmm. I am leaning towards urban myth on this one, wonder if SNOPES will have anything on this??