What Could Have Killed My Bacteria?

[mnemonik23]

Cool, thanks for updates and helping me be patient!
Btw, I do not have real plants, except for Java Moss, which I have quite a bit

 

[OldMan47]

Java moss is a real plant and uses a fertilizer called nitrogen just like a real plant. If you have very high levels of nitrites, which you may have shortly, it is often a good idea to do a water change that brings levels down to where you can read them easily. I'm not sure what is going on there, maybe the n bacs have a hard time with high levels, but people uasually do a bit better with reasonable nitrite levels during the cycle. The nitrate test can also be somewhat affected by high nitrite levels so that could add to confusion about what the nitrates are doing. Another thing that is well known to affect the nitrate test accuracy is how thoroughly you mix the reagents. When it says to shake for at least 30 seconds, try a minute or more for good mixing. It will give you more consistent results.

 

[mnemonik23]

Java moss is a real plant and uses a fertilizer called nitrogen just like a real plant. If you have very high levels of nitrites, which you may have shortly, it is often a good idea to do a water change that brings levels down to where you can read them easily. I'm not sure what is going on there, maybe the n bacs have a hard time with high levels, but people uasually do a bit better with reasonable nitrite levels during the cycle. The nitrate test can also be somewhat affected by high nitrite levels so that could add to confusion about what the nitrates are doing. Another thing that is well known to affect the nitrate test accuracy is how thoroughly you mix the reagents. When it says to shake for at least 30 seconds, try a minute or more for good mixing. It will give you more consistent results.

Actually I do have high level of nitrites. I listed 5.0 as it's as high as API test card has it. But I know they are off the chart since drops turning purple immediately after reaching the bottom of the test tube.

How much water do I change in this case?

Thanks!

 

[drobbyb]

Do a series of 50% water changes with 1 hour in between each change until you get it low.

 

[waterdrop]

Do a series of 50% water changes with 1 hour in between each change until you get it low.

Its fishless, not fish-in

 

[OldMan47]

For a fishless cycle, I would start with a 90% change. In the long run it takes less water than a series of smaller ones.

 

[drobbyb]

Its fishless, not fish-in

I forgot! lol That's what I get for skimming instead of goign back and reading the whole thing

 

[waterdrop]

Its fishless, not fish-in

I forgot! lol That's what I get for skimming instead of goign back and reading the whole thing

Yes, lol, has happened to me on several occassions and left me dreaming of board software that "would softly glow with a "cycle type" and "tanksize" entry over in the lefthand profile area" when a beginner entered the New to the Hobby forum and posted.

~~waterdrop~~
(obviously I need coffee)

 

[mnemonik23]

Finally nitrites went down and nitrates went up. But, ammonia processing slowed down
When I did 60% of water change I took filter media out and put in the bowl with aquarium water. Maybe bacteria washed out?

 

[rabbut]

Filter bacteria colonies are very fragile for the first 6 months, so it is entirely possible that the loss of flow through the media while you waterchanged caursed a die-back. They will grow back again in a few days, it just means a small delay. This is why we advise, usualy, not trying to fix stuff unless it is broken What were your reasns for a waterchange? There is none noted in the log

All the best
Rabbut

 

[mnemonik23]

Filter bacteria colonies are very fragile for the first 6 months, so it is entirely possible that the loss of flow through the media while you waterchanged caursed a die-back. They will grow back again in a few days, it just means a small delay. This is why we advise, usualy, not trying to fix stuff unless it is broken What were your reasns for a waterchange? There is none noted in the log

All the best
Rabbut

It is, 10/21 - 60% water change. When I posted about no change in nitrates a couple of members suggested to do a water change because high nitrites sometimes affect nitrate test readings...

 

[rabbut]

OK, I always thought that nitrite always gave a false high on a nitrate test kit, not a false low This is because many kits "convert" nitrate back to nitrite before reading from there, so obviously if there is nitrite in the sample, it makes for a higher reading...
Things are still moving, so there isn't anything major going on, but I personally think the waterchange hasn't helped much, if at all Might even go as far as saying it lengthened the time needed for the ammonia to process...

All the best
Rabbut

 

[mnemonik23]

OK, I always thought that nitrite always gave a false high on a nitrate test kit, not a false low This is because many kits "convert" nitrate back to nitrite before reading from there, so obviously if there is nitrite in the sample, it makes for a higher reading...
Things are still moving, so there isn't anything major going on, but I personally think the waterchange hasn't helped much, if at all Might even go as far as saying it lengthened the time needed for the ammonia to process...

All the best
Rabbut

I see. So, what do I do when cycle is done and I'm ready for a 90% water change before adding fishes? I will have to turn off filter (Hagen HOB) and water will not flow trough it. Plus, in hagen's filters level of water goes down and covers only the bottom sponge media when filter is off.

 

[rabbut]

Well, when you fishless cycle, you add enough ammonia to symulate a much larger load of fish that you acctually have, so that even a 50% die-off during any waterchange should not put any fish in danger. Once fish are in, the media matures some what, and thus is less likely to mini-cycle as a result of susiquesnt losses of flow during routien maintanance

All the best
Rabbut

 

[mnemonik23]

Ok, I'm at the point when Ammonia gets processed in about 14 hours. Nitrites still do not drop much in 14+ hours.
However, I have a question about brown algae... I recall fishless cycling guide had a note that you will end up with it by the end of the cycle but nothing about what to do with it...

What I have now is a complete algae infestation! It's everywhere - on plastic plants, glass, stones, even on sand... The thing is I have light turned on during the day and turn it off for the night. What do you guys do with these brown algae during or after fishless cycle? Clean everything after water change prior adding fish?


Thanks!