need tank cycle help
#1 Guest_Moonbat_*
Posted 17 February 2010 - 01:41 AM
#2 Guest_schambers_*
Posted 17 February 2010 - 07:57 AM
I thoroughly cleaned this tank before use ,however, it was originally a used salt water tank i bought. Could any trace salinity be affecting the bacterial process?
No. That's not something you need to worry about.
#3 Guest_lozgod_*
Posted 17 February 2010 - 09:21 PM
Edited by lozgod, 17 February 2010 - 09:32 PM.
#4 Guest_Gene2308_*
Posted 18 February 2010 - 05:00 AM
The answer was usually: You're overfeeding - I have found that many (I'd really almost say "most") people feed far too much food and far too often. Wet-dry filters are notorious for a slow build-up of detritus, which usually leads to chronically high nitrates over time. Since your ammonia and/or nitrites are high, you'll eventually cycle the tank and have this exact condition with high nitrates that are difficult to dilute and control at a low level.
I don't think I've ever seen a fish starve to death (except Moorish Idols), but I've seen hundreds of tanks that were overfed.
During a cycle, I'd feed those dudes every 2nd (or 3rd) day and only feed small amounts - if you dump flakes in there or brine shrimp, etc. they should be eating almost all of it before it floats into the gravel, over the overflow box, etc.
More food = more crap, more uneaten food = more crap building up in your wet-dry/gravel bed.
#5 Guest_Moonbat_*
Posted 20 February 2010 - 01:02 PM
#6 Guest_schambers_*
Posted 21 February 2010 - 01:58 PM
#7 Guest_Gene2308_*
Posted 21 February 2010 - 08:05 PM
#8 Guest_Moonbat_*
Posted 24 February 2010 - 03:58 AM
#9 Guest_mikez_*
Posted 26 February 2010 - 07:20 AM
I learned working retail, people fixate on test kits and chemical addition. Constantly checking test kits and making adjustments causes a roller coaster effect.
Better to observe the fish and animals and look and smell of H2O. Being totally comfortable with understanding the nitrogen cycle gives confidence which allows a hands off no meddling policy. Let the bugs do their work.
In this case, were it me, I'd conclude the standard cycle time is coming up and bugs should be established, especially if mature filter media was used. The cycle fish are all alive and if not gasping, breathing hard and/or scratching, the time is coming to declare the tank cycled.
Get the nitrification cycle established, stock reasonably, don't over feed and do H2O changes and you can virtually wipe nitrates off the list of tank worries forever. Not ammonia or nitrite mind you, just the nitrate.
Get some healthy plants growing and never even think the word "Nitrate" again.
Disclaimer: I know conventional wisdom in the pet lit and online is; this species or that are "sensitive" to nitrates.
While I don't discount the scientists' lab tests, I've just never seen a case where you could use nitrate as a smokin gun for some fish stress or loss.
In my experience and unhumble opinion, a reasonably stocked, moderately fed tank with healthy nitrification cycle and regular H2O changes will just not get to a worrisome level. In a planted tank, fergetaboutit.
Edited by mikez, 26 February 2010 - 07:23 AM.
#10 Guest_lozgod_*
Posted 26 February 2010 - 01:02 PM
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