Q.
Do you need a weekly dose every week with
FRITZZYME?
Normally,
it is not necessary for you to put additional
dosages of FRITZZYME in your tank once the
tank has cycled. Often aquarium users place
additional dosages in their tanks if they
are adding new fish, are cleaning their
filters, or see an occasional ammonia or
nitrite spike. If your aquarium is looking
great and the ammonia and nitrites are at
or near zero, it normally is not necessary
to add additional product.
Q.
Can I use chemical ammonia removers with
FRITZZYME?
Chemical ammonia removers work by converting
poisonous ammonia to nontoxic compounds.
Nitrifying bacteria may not be able to utilize
some of these compounds. The use of ammonia
removers will only prolong the time needed
to establish the biofilter. Repeated use
of these chemicals may also lower the pH
of the water. Nitrification will cease if
the pH drops below 6.5.
Q.
What products should not be used with FRITZZYME? U.V.
sterilizers, foam fractionators (protein skimmers),
and ozone generators should not be used for at
least 7-10 days after FRITZZYME additions. This
allows the bacteria time to become attached so
that they will not be killed or removed by these
types of equipment. Many medications will also
reduce the efficiency of the biofilter.
Q.
How will medications affect FRITZZYME?
All medications strong enough to be effective
against bacterial fish diseases may affect
the biological filter whether started with
FRITZZYME or not. After the disease has
been eliminated, remove the medication by
filtration with FRITZ
SUPER ACTIVATED CARBON. Then add FRITZZYME
to re-establish the bacteria in the biofilter.
Q.
Can I use copper medications with
FRITZ-ZYME in my marine aquarium?
The use of any medications in either
fresh or salt water aquaria should
be avoided until the biofilter has
become well established. Any medications
or water conditioners containing
copper, formaldehyde, malachite
green, and methylene blue are extremely
inhibitory or lethal to nitrifying
bacteria. Occasional outbreaks of
protozoal parasites during this
period are usually due to ammonia
related stress. Treating with one
of these chemicals only adds to
the problem by allowing ammonia
to reach toxic levels. It is advisable
to remove infected fish to a quarantine
or hospital tank for treatment.
Once nitrifying bacteria have become
well established they will become
tolerant to low levels of copper.
Q.
Will Formalin adversely effect my bio-filter?
Formalin
is a generic term which describes a solution
of 37% formaldehyde gas dissolved in water.
It will kill bacteria in your bio-filter
which will lead to ammonia and nitrite spikes.
Formalin is used as a bath treatment to
control external parasitic infections of
fish. It is extremely effective against
most protozoans, as well as some of the
larger parasites such as monogenetic trematodes.
Formalin effectively kills parasites on
gills, skin, and fins. It is not the preferred
treatment for external bacterial or fungal
infections. In addition, high concentrations
of formalin are used to control fungi on
fish eggs. Formalin is not effective against
internal infections of any type.
Q.
How can I tell if the FRITZ-ZYME has spoiled?
Short of being exposed to freezing or very high
temperatures, a sealed bottle of FRITZ-ZYME should
be viable up to its expiration date. If there
is no conversion of ammonia and nitrite there
is a very slight possibility that the bacteria
has died (due to freezing or overheating). More
likely, other inhibitory factors may be affecting
the bacteria (see above). Alive or dead, FRITZ-ZYME
is non-toxic and completely safe. It will not
harm fish or invertebrates, even if accidentally
overdosed.
