Starting the Bacteria Process

[kgrehm]

I just added 4 mollies to my 10 gal. tank and i was worried about the ammonium lvl being to high, so i went to my lps and they said to put in NITROMAX to help with the bacteria to lower the ammonium so thats what i did.

Was that a good idea?

I dont see why not but pleases help me out if ya could.

Thanks

 

[modernhamlet]

I don't know anything about NITROMAX in particular, but generally, these cycle products aren't worth it. The one exception I know of is Bio-Spira. Other things you can add to your tank/filter in order to help your bacterial colony along (in order of diminishing utility):
filter media from an established tank
gravel from an established tank
live plants
other decorations from an established tank

Hope that helps! Let us know how the tank is doing!

 

[tstenback]

Do you have the test kits for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate? If you want to be safe for your fish you should have at least the first 2. Modernhamlet has given some good sources for beneficial bacteria. good Luck

 

[kgrehm]

Yea i have the ammo. test kit but not the nitrite. My lps said that i dont have to worry about the nitrite right now because i put in my fish a little to soon so they havent began to spawn. So i am just worried about ammo. but i will check the lvl tomorrow since i already put the nitromax in. thanks for the input.

 

[tstenback]

Sorry but i beg to differ with the lps Nitrite levels are toxic as well as ammonia levels and are the longest part of the cycle when starting a new tank. Without a nitrite test kit you will have no idea why your fish are struggling when there is no ammonia and you will have no idea if your tank is cycled or not. The advice given here will help you avoid the inevitable problems you will face if you continue down the path that you are headed down now. Keep asking questions here there is a lot of expertise here and if someone offers questionalbe advice others will give you other opinions.

 

[kgrehm]

So just to get this down, i should get a nitrite test kit? My lps said that they could test my water for free if i bring it down there, is that a good idea? I checked my ammo. lvl and it was pretty close to zero, but it has only been a couple days sense i got my tank. Would nitites already show up, and what should i do lust wait it out till i get nitrates?

Thanks

 

[Sky042]

So just to get this down, i should get a nitrite test kit? My lps said that they could test my water for free if i bring it down there, is that a good idea? I checked my ammo. lvl and it was pretty close to zero, but it has only been a couple days sense i got my tank. Would nitites already show up, and what should i do lust wait it out till i get nitrates?

Thanks

Nitrites start to show up the moment ammonia starts getting processed in your tank. So basically right away. They may not show as fast as ammonia but they're there. I'm in the middle of a fishless cycle and I can tell you by the second day I had enough nitrite to seriously stress a fish out. So the ammo and nitrite test kits are critical to knowing whats going on in your tank.

 

[kgrehm]

Just the advice I needed, but the only place that I go only sells a whole kit together cause they dont carry any nitrite kits by themselves do you know a good website that does and a brand that is good. Also if i have a lot of nitrites just do water changes?

 

[Sky042]

Just the advice I needed, but the only place that I go only sells a whole kit together cause they dont carry any nitrite kits by themselves do you know a good website that does and a brand that is good. Also if i have a lot of nitrites just do water changes?

If youre nitrites are high they only thing you can do is reduce your feeding and water changes. If you can't find a place to buy the nitrite kit then there are places on the net to purchase them. Not sure your location but most LFS, petco, petsmart places have nitrite test kits by themselves. If you're forced to buy a master kit for 20 bux you usually get PH, GH, KH NH3/4, NO3(nitrite) which isn't a bad deal.