Fluval Edge

[Newbie_87]

Evening all,

My boyfriend and I decided to venture into tropical fish keeping as a new "joint" hobby, we bought our fluval edge last week and it has been up and running (cycling) for 12 days, although we did add a marimo moss ball (for future shrimp), 2 x java ferns and an anubia on Tuesday. We were hoping to get our first fish today (following advice from Maidenhead aquatics) so took along a water sample for testing. Unfortunately, our ammonia (0.5ppm), nitrite (0.25ppm) and nitrate (20ppc) levels meant we went home empty handed. We were advised to leave the tank alone for 7 days and come back for another test. We have done our research and I have a degree in zoology so understand the importance of fishless cycling yet seem miffed our levels seem so high. We were wondering if any water changes would be beneficial or if it is just worth not touching the tank till next week??

Any advice greatly appreciated

 

[Skins]

Evening all,

My boyfriend and I decided to venture into tropical fish keeping as a new "joint" hobby, we bought our fluval edge last week and it has been up and running (cycling) for 12 days, although we did add a marimo moss ball (for future shrimp), 2 x java ferns and an anubia on Tuesday. We were hoping to get our first fish today (following advice from Maidenhead aquatics) so took along a water sample for testing. Unfortunately, our ammonia (0.5ppm), nitrite (0.25ppm) and nitrate (20ppc) levels meant we went home empty handed. We were advised to leave the tank alone for 7 days and come back for another test. We have done our research and I have a degree in zoology so understand the importance of fishless cycling yet seem miffed our levels seem so high. We were wondering if any water changes would be beneficial or if it is just worth not touching the tank till next week??

Any advice greatly appreciated

How are you fishless cycling?

Oh, and welcome to the forum, Keith.

 

[Newbie_87]

We set the tank up as instructed and added the Aqua plus to get rid of chlorine, and the dreaded Aqua cycle (both provided with the Edge). I understand this Aqua cycle is thought to be pretty useless but the water turned cloudy within 1/2 a day. Anyway, the tanks filter is running 24/7 and we have only done one 25% water change with treated water so far when we placed the plants in. Lights are left on 8/10 hours a day for the plants...and, that is about it.

Thanks for the quick reply

 

[FishAreFriendsNotFood10]

welcome to the forum

 

[Skins]

We set the tank up as instructed and added the Aqua plus to get rid of chlorine, and the dreaded Aqua cycle (both provided with the Edge). I understand this Aqua cycle is thought to be pretty useless but the water turned cloudy within 1/2 a day. Anyway, the tanks filter is running 24/7 and we have only done one 25% water change with treated water so far when we placed the plants in. Lights are left on 8/10 hours a day for the plants...and, that is about it.

Thanks for the quick reply

like you said "Aqua cycle is thought to be pretty useless ". May i suggest you have a look at the links in my signature at the bottom of this post. With being a zoologist you will find the articles of some interest, saying that there will proberly be a lot of info you already know.

Keep us all posted, Keith.

 

[Newbie_87]

I have read a lot about it, just really not sure whether to leave the tank alone as advised or go ahead with water changes etc. Temperature of the tank is pretty much fixed to 76-78 F

This really is a decent forum

 

[chesterscot]

Hi just wanted to say hello and welcome to the forum
I gaurantee you will get help every inch of the way here so stick around...

we also have a live chat (just click the link at the top of tff's forum page) and people are on 24/7 if you ever need help.
Just be prepared to wait a few mins if you enter chat for help many of the regulars in there are mutitasking haha or are away from k/b but help will be along

hope to talk soon

regards scot

 

[Skins]

I have read a lot about it, just really not sure whether to leave the tank alone as advised or go ahead with water changes etc. Temperature of the tank is pretty much fixed to 76-78 F

This really is a decent forum

If you leave the tank alone it won't cycle.

 

[Newbie_87]

I have read a lot about it, just really not sure whether to leave the tank alone as advised or go ahead with water changes etc. Temperature of the tank is pretty much fixed to 76-78 F

This really is a decent forum

If you leave the tank alone it won't cycle.

fab! always good to know you can rely on the knowledge of your local LFS, shame really as Maidenhead have quite a good reputation down South. Right then, I'm assuming we should invest in a liquid water testing kit - heard API are pretty decent. With regards to water changes, where would be best to start with the current levels (mentioned earlier)? Also, as there is obviously some ammonia present in the tank is there any need to add some more? Apologies for the barrage of questions

 

[Skins]

I have read a lot about it, just really not sure whether to leave the tank alone as advised or go ahead with water changes etc. Temperature of the tank is pretty much fixed to 76-78 F

This really is a decent forum

If you leave the tank alone it won't cycle.

fab! always good to know you can rely on the knowledge of your local LFS, shame really as Maidenhead have quite a good reputation down South. Right then, I'm assuming we should invest in a liquid water testing kit - heard API are pretty decent. With regards to water changes, where would be best to start with the current levels (mentioned earlier)? Also, as there is obviously some ammonia present in the tank is there any need to add some more? Apologies for the barrage of questions

You want to get your ammonia level to 4/5ppm to kick start the process. You can get some h/h ammonia from boots(order online=pickup in store).
When you have got your Api test kit which i recommend to look on Ebay for and save yourself a load of money. Have a good read of the article on "fishless cycling" in my signature link, will provide you with a step by step guide of the process.

Don't worry about to many questions, keep us all posted and good luck, Keith.

 

[Newbie_87]

I have read a lot about it, just really not sure whether to leave the tank alone as advised or go ahead with water changes etc. Temperature of the tank is pretty much fixed to 76-78 F

This really is a decent forum

If you leave the tank alone it won't cycle.

fab! always good to know you can rely on the knowledge of your local LFS, shame really as Maidenhead have quite a good reputation down South. Right then, I'm assuming we should invest in a liquid water testing kit - heard API are pretty decent. With regards to water changes, where would be best to start with the current levels (mentioned earlier)? Also, as there is obviously some ammonia present in the tank is there any need to add some more? Apologies for the barrage of questions

You want to get your ammonia level to 4/5ppm to kick start the process. You can get some h/h ammonia from boots(order online=pickup in store).
When you have got your Api test kit which i recommend to look on Ebay for and save yourself a load of money. Have a good read of the article on "fishless cycling" in my signature link, will provide you with a step by step guide of the process.

Don't worry about to many questions, keep us all posted and good luck, Keith.

thanks for the advice and we shall look into it. i am a little curious why this process was not mentioned in store though...

 

[Skins]

thanks for the advice and we shall look into it. i am a little curious why this process was not mentioned in store though...

This process does not involve them getting any money from you.

 

[Newbie_87]

very true, we shall be returning tomorrow so I shall mention it as their website suggests the mentioned method but also says that stores are more than willing to provide mature filter media. Still, leaves plenty of time to think of what species to eventually add (currently considering 5x lampeye killifish, male betta and some RC shrimp)

 

[Skins]

very true, we shall be returning tomorrow so I shall mention it as their website suggests the mentioned method but also says that stores are more than willing to provide mature filter media. Still, leaves plenty of time to think of what species to eventually add (currently considering 5x lampeye killifish, male betta and some RC shrimp)

The mature media will be a bonus, will really speed up your fishless cycle. Make sure you start dosing up your h/h ammonia when you get the LFS's media, the bacteria will start to die off without a food source.

Keith.

 

[Newbie_87]

Just thought I'd update, returned to a different LFS for another test (using API) and it turns out our ammonia and nitrite are spot on just nitrate is a bit of a prob. So, after purchasing our own liquid test kit (for cheaper than the internet) it turns out nitrate levels in our tap water is relatively high to start with. We have completed a 25% water change with RO and shall test again tomorrow. Fingers crossed!