From 10 Gallon To A 37 Gallon

[Andrea12]

You don't need to be worrying about nitrate(NO3) during all this water changing. Your only concern is ammonia and nitrite(NO2) and you can use the kits you have (liquid, right?) and just aim for something lighter than the 0.6 (=0.60) concentration and the 0.30 indication in your kit is the same thing as the 0.25 I was quoting.

So, like last night, there will be times when your water changes manage to get ammonia down to zero and keep it there for a bit. That's good. But nitrite(NO2), as you're seeing, is harder. It will probably be the poison that continues to give you the most trouble for the greatest time period. The reason is that a lot more of it gets created.

For each 1ppm that the ammonia processing bacteria convert, 2.7ppm of nitrite(NO2) is passed on to the nitrite processing bacteria. So much bigger colonies of nitrite processors (we call them N-Bacs for short) must grow in the biomedia before all this gets processed.

Keep up the good work. You've obviously got the right idea now. You will never forget the lesson of the biofilter after something like this.

~~watedrop~~

Hello there,i finally feel at peace now that i understand my numbers,so it makes me feel like im doing something right and on the right track thank you so much for all the wonderful advice,and for taking the time to keep helping me out,i definitly don't feel alone now that i found this forum.Its nice to get evryones advice.My fish seem so happy and i havent lost a fish yet and i think im on 5 weeks with starting over on cycling again.They definitly love the millions of bubbles at the back of the tank they swin through it and up and down,i love watching them,definitly a busy tank!!I am so glad that i can be at home to always keep an eye on my water levels so i can get to it immetiatly,drives my husband crazy sometimes.lol.Sodo u think i could be close to a cycled tank or am i dreaming.
Thank you again and i will keep u updated,and no i will never ever forget lesson of the biofilter.Take care talk to u soon.

 

[Andrea12]

You don't need to be worrying about nitrate(NO3) during all this water changing. Your only concern is ammonia and nitrite(NO2) and you can use the kits you have (liquid, right?) and just aim for something lighter than the 0.6 (=0.60) concentration and the 0.30 indication in your kit is the same thing as the 0.25 I was quoting.

So, like last night, there will be times when your water changes manage to get ammonia down to zero and keep it there for a bit. That's good. But nitrite(NO2), as you're seeing, is harder. It will probably be the poison that continues to give you the most trouble for the greatest time period. The reason is that a lot more of it gets created.

For each 1ppm that the ammonia processing bacteria convert, 2.7ppm of nitrite(NO2) is passed on to the nitrite processing bacteria. So much bigger colonies of nitrite processors (we call them N-Bacs for short) must grow in the biomedia before all this gets processed.

Keep up the good work. You've obviously got the right idea now. You will never forget the lesson of the biofilter after something like this.

~~watedrop~~

Hello there,i finally feel at peace now that i understand my numbers,so it makes me feel like im doing something right and on the right track thank you so much for all the wonderful advice,and for taking the time to keep helping me out,i definitly don't feel alone now that i found this forum.Its nice to get evryones advice.My fish seem so happy and i havent lost a fish yet and i think im on 5 weeks with starting over on cycling again.They definitly love the millions of bubbles at the back of the tank they swin through it and up and down,i love watching them,definitly a busy tank!!I am so glad that i can be at home to always keep an eye on my water levels so i can get to it immetiatly,drives my husband crazy sometimes.lol.Sodo u think i could be close to a cycled tank or am i dreaming.
Thank you again and i will keep u updated,and no i will never ever forget lesson of the biofilter.Take care talk to u soon.

Oh yes i forgot i have live plants and they keep clogging up my filter but not enough to stop it from not working but it drives me nuts,i am cleaning it constantly,also i know it says certain times to rinse spunge,so hoe often should i clean it during a cycling,i also take fish water out and clean it in there?I dont want to be changing the or cleaning something too often but not sure .Thank you.

 

[waterdrop]

It is ideal to not rinse the filter any more than you have to during any type of cycling. If you have to do it to keep the flow from stopping then make it a very gentle rinse, probably leaving the media (sponge, whatever) still pretty dirty.

We try to end our fish-in cycles by having the biofilter go a full week where you never see any traces of ammonia or nitrite(NO2) and are not having to do any water changes at all. Of course, even after that you still continue daily testing, then every other day testing, then weekly testing.. tapering down like that.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[Andrea12]

It is ideal to not rinse the filter any more than you have to during any type of cycling. If you have to do it to keep the flow from stopping then make it a very gentle rinse, probably leaving the media (sponge, whatever) still pretty dirty.

We try to end our fish-in cycles by having the biofilter go a full week where you never see any traces of ammonia or nitrite(NO2) and are not having to do any water changes at all. Of course, even after that you still continue daily testing, then every other day testing, then weekly testing.. tapering down like that.

~~waterdrop~~

Hey,okay so if the flow is going good then just leave the whole filter,what about all the pieces of live plants that gather in tube?I just did testing again and ammonia is still at 0 and nitrite still at 0.3,should i leave it or do a water change,i did water change lastnight?Also this might be a silly question but i want my fish to be happy,so i have lots bubblers going,should i be turning them down at night so fish can relax or keep them going for extra oxygen?I'm so appreciative of all advice right now i would be doubting myself or guessing.

Andrea12

 

[waterdrop]

Bubblers actually have very little purpose for either fish or water chemistry, they are just entertainment for humans. Historically they played a role as the force that moved water inside air driven filters (nearly all now are driven by electrical water pumps) and they also played a role in overall water circulation patterns in a tank (and still can.) Ever since inexpensive, reliable small water pumps began being used, those devices (both in filters and as independent power heads) were able to greatly outdistance bubbles for water movement of all kinds. As far as oxygen goes, even though a flurry of bubbles has some significant surface area, the time it takes each bubble to travel from the bottom of the tank to the surface is not long enough for significant oxygen exchange between the air in the bubble and the surrounding water molecules to take place. Thus, bubbles do not really represent an increase in surface area. Instead, it is simple movement of the surface water that still represents the vast majority of effective function for gas exchange.

This means that filter spraybars and outlet pipes that direct surface movement are the most effective devices for promotion of gas exchange. Likewise, power heads (like an electric fan but for underwater) are more effective at directed underwater circulation in a tank. Lacking either of these things however, an airstone will induce some bottom to top and, to a lesser extent, cross surface water movement, which of course would be good in a tank that didn't have these other water movers. During cycling, we still encourage the use of aeration via bubbles if you have the equipment, because you are looking for every last little bit of oxygen elevation you can get during this period. The fish oxygen needs are generally less critical than the bacteria's needs.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[Andrea12]

Bubblers actually have very little purpose for either fish or water chemistry, they are just entertainment for humans. Historically they played a role as the force that moved water inside air driven filters (nearly all now are driven by electrical water pumps) and they also played a role in overall water circulation patterns in a tank (and still can.) Ever since inexpensive, reliable small water pumps began being used, those devices (both in filters and as independent power heads) were able to greatly outdistance bubbles for water movement of all kinds. As far as oxygen goes, even though a flurry of bubbles has some significant surface area, the time it takes each bubble to travel from the bottom of the tank to the surface is not long enough for significant oxygen exchange between the air in the bubble and the surrounding water molecules to take place. Thus, bubbles do not really represent an increase in surface area. Instead, it is simple movement of the surface water that still represents the vast majority of effective function for gas exchange.

This means that filter spraybars and outlet pipes that direct surface movement are the most effective devices for promotion of gas exchange. Likewise, power heads (like an electric fan but for underwater) are more effective at directed underwater circulation in a tank. Lacking either of these things however, an airstone will induce some bottom to top and, to a lesser extent, cross surface water movement, which of course would be good in a tank that didn't have these other water movers. During cycling, we still encourage the use of aeration via bubbles if you have the equipment, because you are looking for every last little bit of oxygen elevation you can get during this period. The fish oxygen needs are generally less critical than the bacteria's needs.

~~waterdrop~~

Well now im freaking out,don't know what to do and don't want to go to bed until i have the tank under control.I got up today and ammonia has been at 0 for 3 days now but nitrite was rising almost 0.8 so i did a complete gravel cleand with almost 40% water change put all the neccessary stuff in water,water has been cloudy all day assuming from clean.Kept checking levels throughout the day,by afternoon rising again to almost 8.0 again so did about 30%waterchange only.Now it is 9:30 and nitrite is between 0.3- 0.8 so basicallyits rising again.I really don't know what to do i don't think i can do another water change.Please if u have any suggestions i would really appreciate it.Thanks


Andrea12

 

[Rynofasho]

What are you treating the water with?

If it isn't Seachem Prime, I'd advise getting some. As well as removing chlorine and chloramine, it detoxifies ammonia and nitrites. They will still be measurable in the tank because chemically they are still very similar to ammonia and nitrite, however they are turned into non toxic forms.

You can change the water 10 times a day if you really wanted to. You have a pretty huge bioload in there for an uncycled tank, so your levels will definitely rise very quickly.

You can change the water again tonite if you'd like, however you have to promise us you will get some Prime tomorrow. You can double dose it with no ill effects on the tank, and it renders the bad chemicals harmless -- aka happy fish.

From then on, you will probably only have to do once daily water changes of 50% or so unless you have reason to believe your fish are having a tough go at it and you can do two in one day, but get the Prime for some peace of mind and so you can sleep at night

 

[Andrea12]

What are you treating the water with?

If it isn't Seachem Prime, I'd advise getting some. As well as removing chlorine and chloramine, it detoxifies ammonia and nitrites. They will still be measurable in the tank because chemically they are still very similar to ammonia and nitrite, however they are turned into non toxic forms.

You can change the water 10 times a day if you really wanted to. You have a pretty huge bioload in there for an uncycled tank, so your levels will definitely rise very quickly.

You can change the water again tonite if you'd like, however you have to promise us you will get some Prime tomorrow. You can double dose it with no ill effects on the tank, and it renders the bad chemicals harmless -- aka happy fish.

From then on, you will probably only have to do once daily water changes of 50% or so unless you have reason to believe your fish are having a tough go at it and you can do two in one day, but get the Prime for some peace of mind and so you can sleep at night

hey ,no i havent got that yet,i think i have to drive into city to get some because the only pet store out where i live has nothing, i don't even know why they are still in buisness.Do u think petsmart would have it? I am using aqua plus nutrafin with every water change,plus i either add stress zyme or stress coat plus.Then after about 15 min. i usebiological aquarium supplement.This happened a few night ago but then it was fine after the second change,this time its not helping.If i do another water change i will have basically changed all the water in tank.So confused and frustrated.Thank you for your help,and i will make a trip into city and get some prime.Promise

Andrea12

 

[Rynofasho]

Petsmart should have it, yes. That is where I got it. If you think there is still an issue, just change the water again. There is no harm in that.

 

[Andrea12]

Petsmart should have it, yes. That is where I got it. If you think there is still an issue, just change the water again. There is no harm in that.

hello,did a 50% water change yesterday,and another 50% water change today,when i got home in afternoon my reading were p.h 8.2, ammonia 0ppm, nitrite 0ppm, nitrate 0ppm,so this is a first,i'm sure to good to be true but i ready now, went and bought 2 bottles of prime.Hopefully with prime means less water changes a day.

Andrea12

 

[Andrea12]

Okay I new it was too good to be true,tested my levels tonight,have new testing kit,and well my ammonia was 0 for like 5 days,tonight it went up to 0.25ppm,nitrite still at 0ppm, ph still 8.2.So i finally opened my bottle of prime and to my surprise it really,really stinks some bad!!!!!!!!!Hope it works.have a goodnight all.

Andrea12

 

[Andrea12]

Well all is good,had to use prime once yesterday,and since then ammonia, and nitrite have been 0ppm,with no water changes,so hope this means my tank is cycled.Guess I'll find out!!Thank you to all for the great advice and getting me through all this,definitly feel like I've become a better fish owner!!!I will keep u updated and i'm sure I will continue to need advice.

 

[Andrea12]

hey ,well ithinkmy tank has been cycled for 2 days now ammonia is a 0,nitrite at 0and nitrate between 5-10 ppm,now my only concern is my water has been cloudy since then, i tryed doing gravel clean yesterday and usually that taked it away but its not.if anyone could help me out that would be great,Thanks

Andrea12

 

[Skins]

hey ,well ithinkmy tank has been cycled for 2 days now ammonia is a 0,nitrite at 0and nitrate between 5-10 ppm,now my only concern is my water has been cloudy since then, i tryed doing gravel clean yesterday and usually that taked it away but its not.if anyone could help me out that would be great,Thanks

Andrea12

Hello Andrea,
The cloudy water you are experiencing is it milky white in colour?
If it is then you are proberly seeing a bacterial bloom which will do no harm, you will see it clear in a few days or so.

Keith.

 

[Andrea12]

hey ,well ithinkmy tank has been cycled for 2 days now ammonia is a 0,nitrite at 0and nitrate between 5-10 ppm,now my only concern is my water has been cloudy since then, i tryed doing gravel clean yesterday and usually that taked it away but its not.if anyone could help me out that would be great,Thanks

Andrea12

Hello Andrea,
The cloudy water you are experiencing is it milky white in colour?
If it is then you are proberly seeing a bacterial bloom which will do no harm, you will see it clear in a few days or so.

Keith.

hello,its a milky white,i just checked levels again and still 0ppm for ammonia,nitrite so everything seems good,i do have 1 fish that seems to be staying in corner top of the tank,and usually he is always swimming around,all other fish r still happy.I have lots areation going,and no trace of ammonnia,so i dont know why this fish is doing this.I dont want to do another water change because all my levels are great.So if it is bacterial bloom i should not worry.Thank you for the advice.

Andrea12