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Akasha72's 50 Litre Cycle Log
- Thread starter Akasha72
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Akasha72
Warning - Mad Cory Woman
I've now driven to the other side of Harrogate (my home town) to the aquarium centre. They're brilliant there and really know their stuff. I've explained the situation and that I'm not a very well person aswell and that all these water changes have started to make me ill and cause me severe pain.
They've suggested a new approach to the problem. They tested my water using the tetra version and apart from my PH being a little low (due to the massive water change at lunchtime) all the levels were okay.
They've suggested that at this stage the filter should be starting to build up enough bacteria and to leave the water alone for 3 days - even if the fish look unwell. They've also said no food for the fish for 3 days and that I should add the King British Water Safe stuff as per the instructions. After 3 days I can test the water for levels of ammonia and nitrite.
They say that constantly removing 80% of the water will remove good bacteria. They say that I've got new tank syndrome and that I've added too many fish too quickly. I asked if I should consider re-homing some of the fish and they said I shouldn't need to.
I'm guessing there will be lots of replies to this telling me how wrong the advice is etc but the system I'm following here isn't working (and more importantly it's making me ill) Sometimes you have to take a step back and try something else.
If you all want me to let you know how I get on with this new plan then I'll post the results. Otherwise I'll go it alone.
Thanks - Akasha
They've suggested a new approach to the problem. They tested my water using the tetra version and apart from my PH being a little low (due to the massive water change at lunchtime) all the levels were okay.
They've suggested that at this stage the filter should be starting to build up enough bacteria and to leave the water alone for 3 days - even if the fish look unwell. They've also said no food for the fish for 3 days and that I should add the King British Water Safe stuff as per the instructions. After 3 days I can test the water for levels of ammonia and nitrite.
They say that constantly removing 80% of the water will remove good bacteria. They say that I've got new tank syndrome and that I've added too many fish too quickly. I asked if I should consider re-homing some of the fish and they said I shouldn't need to.
I'm guessing there will be lots of replies to this telling me how wrong the advice is etc but the system I'm following here isn't working (and more importantly it's making me ill) Sometimes you have to take a step back and try something else.
If you all want me to let you know how I get on with this new plan then I'll post the results. Otherwise I'll go it alone.
Thanks - Akasha
CezzaXV
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Hate to break it to you, but that's some bad advice you've got there. If you let ammonia and nitrite build for three days, then it's more than possible you'll have dead fish by then. Ammonia and nitrite will probably be at highly toxic levels in three days.
They're also wrong about the bacteria - bacteria doesn't grow in the water, it grows in your filter. Water changes aren't removing any bacteria at all. The only way a low pH could be caused by water changes is if there's a big difference between tap and tank water. As it happens, your last test showed your pH was 7, which is bang on neutral. I can't imagine what kind of advisor would tell you to leave ill looking fish.
The system you're running right now IS working, but it's not going to happen overnight. Cycling, whether it's fish-in or fishless, takes months. If it's making you ill and you can't keep up with water changes, I'd advise rehoming the fish for now and starting again on a fishless cycle. It's boring and it takes a long time, but it's a lot less hassle.
They're also wrong about the bacteria - bacteria doesn't grow in the water, it grows in your filter. Water changes aren't removing any bacteria at all. The only way a low pH could be caused by water changes is if there's a big difference between tap and tank water. As it happens, your last test showed your pH was 7, which is bang on neutral. I can't imagine what kind of advisor would tell you to leave ill looking fish.
The system you're running right now IS working, but it's not going to happen overnight. Cycling, whether it's fish-in or fishless, takes months. If it's making you ill and you can't keep up with water changes, I'd advise rehoming the fish for now and starting again on a fishless cycle. It's boring and it takes a long time, but it's a lot less hassle.
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Akasha72
Warning - Mad Cory Woman
there's now 8 guppies, 4 platies, 3 neons and otto. They were all moved from my old tank. I've also tried to re-home 2 of my male guppies but my friend who took the clown loaches didn't want them. I refuse to take them to P@H to die a slow painful death and the other aquatic centre I mentioned won't take them. They will have to stay put.
I've done some more reading on net and I've decided that if my ammonia or nitrite goes really high I'll do a 10-15% water change. It equates to one full bucket in my case and I feel this is achievable.
So far the fish are looking very happy this morning which isn't something I've seen since I got this new tank that's caused so much stress.
I fully intend to follow the advice I was given yesterday - unless the ammonia goes crazy
I've done some more reading on net and I've decided that if my ammonia or nitrite goes really high I'll do a 10-15% water change. It equates to one full bucket in my case and I feel this is achievable.
So far the fish are looking very happy this morning which isn't something I've seen since I got this new tank that's caused so much stress.
I fully intend to follow the advice I was given yesterday - unless the ammonia goes crazy
Sounds like it's coming together. At this stage still try to change a bucket of water at least every other day - without getting bogged down in technicalities, ammonia and nitrite can still rise again. Keep watching it.
You may still lose some fish due to the damage done by the ammonia already.
Ps you definitely needed to rehome the clown loaches, they need to be in groups of 6+, grow enormous, and need a tank 6ft+ long!
Don't forget to add another oto at some point too
You may still lose some fish due to the damage done by the ammonia already.
Ps you definitely needed to rehome the clown loaches, they need to be in groups of 6+, grow enormous, and need a tank 6ft+ long!
Don't forget to add another oto at some point too
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Akasha72
Warning - Mad Cory Woman
Hi Soybean, thanks for replying. I'm checking the water every morning. This morning (and yesterday too) was PH 7.0-7.2. Ammonia 0, Nitrite 0, and Nitrate 5
It looks like it's settled finally. The clown loaches are doing okay in my friends 4ft tank. He's got 2 in there already and they've all paired up so to speak.
I've got my gravel vac ready for tomorrow and plan to get in there and give it a good going over. I've arranged with my Dad to visit the aquarium centre on Thursday to use his experience on plants as I want to get it well planted up next. They're all pregnant again I think so I want a hiding place for the babies. The plants I have already are looking really lush and are growing like mad - wondered if that's where some of my Nitrate is going ?
It looks like it's settled finally. The clown loaches are doing okay in my friends 4ft tank. He's got 2 in there already and they've all paired up so to speak.
I've got my gravel vac ready for tomorrow and plan to get in there and give it a good going over. I've arranged with my Dad to visit the aquarium centre on Thursday to use his experience on plants as I want to get it well planted up next. They're all pregnant again I think so I want a hiding place for the babies. The plants I have already are looking really lush and are growing like mad - wondered if that's where some of my Nitrate is going ?
Plants will indeed keep your nitrate low which is good.
Glad it's working out, didn't want you to give up! Keep checking daily like you are now and changing water if you get any amm or nitrite, and that filter will be fully cycled in no time - a few weeks more should do it.
Glad it's working out, didn't want you to give up! Keep checking daily like you are now and changing water if you get any amm or nitrite, and that filter will be fully cycled in no time - a few weeks more should do it.
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Akasha72
Warning - Mad Cory Woman
If it stays settled for another 7 - 10 days I'll consider getting that friend for Otto. I wasn't gonna give up I've just flared my fibromyalgia and M.E lugging buckets of water and needed a break from it. I'm still struggling with intense pain and keep falling asleep but at least the stress of poorly fish has gone - I've just got the stress of a terrified dog tonight instead lol
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Akasha72
Warning - Mad Cory Woman
PH 7 - 7.2
Ammonia 0
Nitrite is up a tiny bit but not as dark as 0.25
Nitrate 0-5 (it's darker than the first colour but not as dark as the next so it's somewhere inbetween)
Using the API Master Kit.
Given the gravel a vac without removing any water but it's a tiny bit cloudy now so may have to do a small water change if it doesn't clear
Fish happy and playing and there's babies in there too!
Ammonia 0
Nitrite is up a tiny bit but not as dark as 0.25
Nitrate 0-5 (it's darker than the first colour but not as dark as the next so it's somewhere inbetween)
Using the API Master Kit.
Given the gravel a vac without removing any water but it's a tiny bit cloudy now so may have to do a small water change if it doesn't clear
Fish happy and playing and there's babies in there too!
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