What Is Going On In My Tank!

[Bromley]

Ph jumps around a bit in the cycling so don't get too excited about it. Just keep it in the range which it sounds like it is. Also, I have a steady Ph of 8 in my two home tanks and it has never affected my ability to keep most fish. I would not go with really Ph sensitive fish (discus and GBR come to mind) but any others I'm willing to try. Maybe I'm taking a few months off their lives but given many other possible tanks they could have ended up in, I know my fish have it good.

Thanks for the info

And Thanks to Kat as well for all her advice

 

[Bromley]

Well did my readings again last night and got a Green Ammonia test when it was yellow in the morning, Did another test about 10 mins later and was yellow again, so I think I am going to get 2 new ammonia bottles at some point as thats 2 false readings in 2 days now (I even got the Mrs to check I was putting the right bottle in first as I thought I might be losing my marbles!!)

With regards to the PH.

See 2 attached pics, first one is High Range PH and the 2nd is normal PH, neither colors match the chart.

 

[KittyKat]

Maybe you should try sending those to API and see what they say?

 

[Bromley]

Maybe you should try sending those to API and see what they say?

Good idea, have sent them an email.

Does look odd though eh, you can see the problems I have had trying to pick a correct PH range for my tank from them results.

 

[Embrace]

I think your tank will be overstocked with your proposed stock.

 

[Bromley]

I think your tank will be overstocked with your proposed stock.

What would you suggest then 3xneons instead of 4, and 3 guppies instead of 4?

 

[KittyKat]

I think your tank will be overstocked with your proposed stock.

What would you suggest then 3xneons instead of 4, and 3 guppies instead of 4?

6 neons and 5 shrimp: the neons would benefit from a school and shrimp are much lower bio-load than fish.

Or 3-4 male guppies and 5 shrimp: at least 2 female guppies should be kept per male or they will be harassed and in a tank that size, they will easily breed out of control.

 

[Bromley]

Sorry I meant 3x Green neons and 3x normal neons (so 6 in total to keep the shoal at 6) and a male & female guppy. I will be getting a fry tank in the future!
Other good news is I have had my first 0 nitrite reading after 12 hours, ammonia has been 0 for a while but I have been getting false readings with it, it's .50ppm this morning. Can you still have ammonia but no nitrite in the tank?

 

[KittyKat]

Sorry I meant 3x Green neons and 3x normal neons (so 6 in total to keep the shoal at 6) and a male & female guppy.

I personally feel that schooling fish are happier in groups of 6+ of their own species.
If you have one male guppy and only one female guppy, there is a good chance that the female will be harassed a lot, possibly even to death. If a female is not feeling happy, there is a good chance that there may be problems during birthing.

Other good news is I have had my first 0 nitrite reading after 12 hours, ammonia has been 0 for a while but I have been getting false readings with it, it's .50ppm this morning. Can you still have ammonia but no nitrite in the tank?

Yes, it is possible for there to be more of one bacteria than another.

 

[Bromley]

Sorry I meant 3x Green neons and 3x normal neons (so 6 in total to keep the shoal at 6) and a male & female guppy.

I personally feel that schooling fish are happier in groups of 6+ of their own species.
If you have one male guppy and only one female guppy, there is a good chance that the female will be harassed a lot, possibly even to death. If a female is not feeling happy, there is a good chance that there may be problems during birthing.

Other good news is I have had my first 0 nitrite reading after 12 hours, ammonia has been 0 for a while but I have been getting false readings with it, it's .50ppm this morning. Can you still have ammonia but no nitrite in the tank?

Yes, it is possible for there to be more of one bacteria than another.

So you think either 6 green neons or 6 normal neons, not a mixture of both? If so would probably go for the green as there a bit different. Point taken about the guppies. Will get2 males (there better looking anyway!)

Would shrimps need a cave to hide out in, or will they be happy sitting in the plants?

Thanks for the advice, you would have thought that if nitrites were 0, ammonia would be as well as effectively ammonia turns to nitrite. Weird!!

 

[KittyKat]

So you think either 6 green neons or 6 normal neons, not a mixture of both? If so would probably go for the green as there a bit different.

Yes, this is my personal opinion, based on my experience.

Would shrimps need a cave to hide out in, or will they be happy sitting in the plants?

Shrimp don't need caves Just the plants will be good enough for them!

Thanks for the advice, you would have thought that if nitrites were 0, ammonia would be as well as effectively ammonia turns to nitrite. Weird!!

They work is done by different bacteria who don't always grow at the same speed

 

[Bromley]

Thanks again Kat. Advice is much appreciated. Now on day 2 of "qualifying week", hopefully fish next Saturday.
1 question. If I am planning on putting fish in on Saturday. When is the last time I add ammonia (Thursday night?) and when do I do the big water change (Friday night?), just worried that the good guys will die off if I don't add any ammonia on Friday. Any ideas?

Thanks

J

 

[KittyKat]

1 question. If I am planning on putting fish in on Saturday. When is the last time I add ammonia (Thursday night?) and when do I do the big water change (Friday night?), just worried that the good guys will die off if I don't add any ammonia on Friday. Any ideas?

Last ammonia addition should be on Friday. On Saturday morning, you will do a 100% water change with dechlorinated water. Yes, you drain the whole tank, then fill it up with dechlorinated water. No matter what you do, make sure that no chlorinated water comes anywhere near the filter. I personally boil water in a kettle to mix with water from the cold tap to get the right temperature (23-25C for keeping fish), but some people use water from the hot tap. Once the tank is filled with warm, fresh, new water, go get your fish.

 

[Bromley]

Okey dokey. I know not to put untreated tap water in the tank. I use API stress coat and zyme to condition my water. Have a combi boiler so will use water from the hot tap, setting my thermo at 24, going to start bringing it down slowly from the current 30 as I have read a suddened drop in temperature can stall the cycle?!?.

My good bacteria grow on the ceramic media in a biorb and not in the filter as apparently you are supposed to change the filter every 6-8 weeks. I must admit I am scared to change the filter in case the good bacteria have gathered in there as well.

 

[KittyKat]

Okey dokey. I know not to put untreated tap water in the tank. I use API stress coat and zyme to condition my water. Have a combi boiler so will use water from the hot tap, setting my thermo at 24, going to start bringing it down slowly from the current 30 as I have read a suddened drop in temperature can stall the cycle?!?.

Maybe, I'm not sure about that.. Do switch your heater off about 30 minutes before you do the water change and make sure to switch it back on afterwards!

My good bacteria grow on the ceramic media in a biorb and not in the filter as apparently you are supposed to change the filter every 6-8 weeks. I must admit I am scared to change the filter in case the good bacteria have gathered in there as well.

How exactly does it look? Is it a sponge? If you can, the best option is to clean it in old tank (or new dechlorinated) water instead of replacing it.

There will be bacteria living in there as well.. but as I don't have any personal experience with Biorbs (except seeing them in shops, very poorly stocked), I can't help you with what percentage of bacteria is where. In a traditional external filter, it is quite safe to replace the pre-filter and polishing sponges just because they provide so little surface area compared to the rest of the media.. still, I always wash mine in tank water, if I can!