FritzZyme^® 9 Saltwater

FAQs

See below for frequently asked questions regarding FritzZyme® 9 Saltwater.

• How often should I use FritzZyme® Nitrifying Bacteria?

  After the initial dosage of FritzZyme® to seed the biofilter, additions are only needed if more animals are added to the system, the efficiency of the biofilter has been reduced by medications or the biofilter has been disturbed (e.g., changing the media of a canister filter).

• Why not have a dry version of FritzZyme® 7 or 9?

  FritzZyme® contains true nitrifying bacteria. These bacteria have a low survival rate when dried or freeze-dried. Low survival rates mean very few viable “living” nitrifying bacteria would be added to the aquarium. Although competitors claim to have dry versions, tests have shown that these products actually do not establish the biofilter significantly faster than the biofilter would have established on its own.

• How does FritzZyme® Nitrifying Bacteria work?

  FritzZyme® allows your tank to duplicate nature. FritzZyme® “seeds” the biological filter with sufficient numbers of beneficial nitrifying bacteria so it can begin to remove ammonia and nitrite. Because the time required for the bacteria to become established is drastically reduced, fish may be introduced much sooner. When adding more fish or other bio-load to an aquarium, the addition of FritzZyme® adds more bacteria to the biofilter, thus preparing it to be able to handle the increased ammonia production.

• 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 5 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.

• What is the difference between FritzZyme® 7 and FritzZyme® 9?

  FritzZyme® 7 is for freshwater use and FritzZyme® 9 is for brackish and saltwater use. Both FritzZyme® 7 and 9 work the same natural way, but the species of bacteria differ in order to achieve the best results possible in each environment. By having separate products with optimum species for each environment, the “lag time” for the bacteria to adjust is avoided. If the wrong FritzZyme® is used, you will not achieve the needed ammonia and/or nitrite control. Introduce the correct FritzZyme® as soon as possible. Water changes to remove the incorrect FritzZyme® will not be necessary.

• How can I tell if the FritzZyme® Nitrifying Bacteria has spoiled?

  Short of being exposed to freezing or very high temperatures, a sealed bottle of FritzZyme® 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, FritzZyme® is non-toxic and completely safe. It will not harm fish or invertebrates, even if accidentally overdosed.

• Do I need to add an initial ammonia source for the nitrifying bacteria of a new tank?

  Your fish will provide the necessary ammonia. The advantage of using FritzZyme® is that you can add the fish right away to a new tank (without adding any ammonia); this is the method we recommend. Slight rises in ammonia and nitrite may occur for a brief period, but they will be well below stress levels.

• Can I use copper medications with FritzZyme® in my marine aquarium?

  The use of any medications in either fresh or saltwater aquariums 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 protozoan 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.

• Can I use chemical ammonia removers with FritzZyme® Nitrifying Bacteria?

  Chemical ammonia removers work by converting poisonous ammonia to non-toxic 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.

• Do you need a weekly dose every week with FritzZyme® Nitrifying Bacteria?

  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.

• What levels of ammonia and nitrite should I see when using FritzZyme® Nitrifying Bacteria?

  You will see the normal “new tank syndrome” time greatly reduced or completely eliminated. The ammonia and nitrite levels, if present, will be well below stress levels. Problem systems will recover in a matter of days without extensive water changes.

• What if my nitrites will not go down in my freshwater aquarium treated with FritzZyme® Nitrifying Bacteria?

  In freshwater, we occasionally run across this situation, and the first thing we recommend is testing your alkalinity. In aquariums with an alkalinity below a 4.5 dKH (1.6 Meq/l), the bacteria that convert the nitrite to nitrate simply stop the conversion process. We have found that after raising alkalinity to a minimum of 4.5 dKH (1.6 Meq/l) but ideally 5.6 dKH (2.0 Meq/l), nitrite conversion proceeds rapidly. In very, very rare cases the nitrite portion of the cycle remains stalled. In that situation, check your phosphate levels. Nitrifying bacteria, like all living organisms, need trace amounts of phosphate to function. A fishless cycle using ammonium chloride and RO/DI water may have 0.00ppm phosphates and will not complete the cycle. Even a trace amount of phosphate will allow the nitrifying bacteria to rapidly convert nitrite to nitrate. Fish food is a source of phosphate and Fritz pH Neutralizer contains phosphates. ⅛ to ¼ the standard dose would provide enough phosphate for nitrite conversion.

• Why does it take so long for an aquarium to cycle without FritzZyme® Nitrifying Bacteria?

  In comparison to other types of bacteria, nitrifying bacteria grow very slowly. Under optimal conditions, it takes fully 15 hours for a colony to double in size! By adding FritzZyme® nitrifying bacteria, you are adding bacteria to your system in amounts that would have taken weeks to naturally grow.

• How long has Fritz Industries, Inc. been working with nitrifying bacteria?

  Fritz Industries, Inc. has been working with nitrifying bacteria for over 26 years and has constantly worked to perfect culturing techniques while obtaining maximum production with superior packaging of a stabilized product.

• How does FritzZyme® Nitrifying Bacteria compare to other products?

  FritzZyme® was the first product on the market to rapidly establish biological filters in aquatic systems. Fritz Aquatics has been continuously producing the highest quality viable nitrifying bacteria for over 40 years and has remained a leader with continuous research, production and development. There are few producers of true live nitrifying bacteria, none of which can match the experience and success of FritzZyme®.

  In addition to FritzZyme® being sold into the Aquarium hobby, Fritz Aquatics supplies FritzZyme® to professionals in the aquaculture industry, universities, research facilities, public aquariums and zoos throughout the world. 

• Does the color or smell change the effectiveness or remaining shelf life of FritzZyme® Nitrifying Bacteria?

  No. The smell may range from none to a very strong pungent odor and the color from a rosy red to a grayish black. We have seen the odor and color ranges mentioned above to be equally effective. The true test of the product effectiveness is its ability to convert ammonia and/or nitrite. If the product has not expired and has been handled properly, it will be effective in the aquarium.

• What other products may be used with FritzZyme®?

  Chlorine must be removed before adding FritzZyme® (chlorine kills bacteria). FritzGuard® or Fritz Chlorine Remover may be used for this purpose. Fritz pH blocks for pH control, Fritz Super Salt for marine systems, Fritz Super Clarifier and Fritz Trace Elements may also be used without any adverse effect to the biofilter.

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