Grahhh!

[VaegaVic]

Recently I just ripped out all my gravel on my 64L (My favourite of my tanks) and replaced it with sand.
It already had an internal PF2 filter, which I was happy with, but I decided to upgrade to an external Interpet 150.
I knew that some of the gravel would contain some bacteria, so I moved my corys and my ottos into my bigger 300L.

I didn't count on how much though. Everything was fine for a few days, however, the sand started to get dirty rather quickly, so I popped to my Not-so-local-FS and bought 9 pygmy corys. Bear in mind I'd already moved my 7 Melini corys and my 5 ottos. The pygmys are doing a great job except I've now noticed a massive increase in nitrites - From 0 to 6ppm.

I've been using Bactinettes to give it a jump start in the new filter because even though I transferred all my old media, I knew I would lose some bacteria and I've just recently learnt that they use Nitrobacter rather than Nitrospira, which isn't helping my Nitrite problem.

So currently I'm doing 90% daily water changes (including draining the external) and feeding once every 2 days, I've also added Zeolite to the external in order to keep any more ammonia spikes under control.

Is there anything else I can do? My old damaged spine can't keep changing 55L of water every 18 hours.

 

[roadmaster]

Recently I just ripped out all my gravel on my 64L (My favourite of my tanks) and replaced it with sand.
It already had an internal PF2 filter, which I was happy with, but I decided to upgrade to an external Interpet 150.
I knew that some of the gravel would contain some bacteria, so I moved my corys and my ottos into my bigger 300L.

I didn't count on how much though. Everything was fine for a few days, however, the sand started to get dirty rather quickly, so I popped to my Not-so-local-FS and bought 9 pygmy corys. Bear in mind I'd already moved my 7 Melini corys and my 5 ottos. The pygmys are doing a great job except I've now noticed a massive increase in nitrites - From 0 to 6ppm.

I've been using Bactinettes to give it a jump start in the new filter because even though I transferred all my old media, I knew I would lose some bacteria and I've just recently learnt that they use Nitrobacter rather than Nitrospira, which isn't helping my Nitrite problem.

So currently I'm doing 90% daily water changes (including draining the external) and feeding once every 2 days, I've also added Zeolite to the external in order to keep any more ammonia spikes under control.

Is there anything else I can do? My old damaged spine can't keep changing 55L of water every 18 hours.

 

[roadmaster]

Recently I just ripped out all my gravel on my 64L (My favourite of my tanks) and replaced it with sand.
It already had an internal PF2 filter, which I was happy with, but I decided to upgrade to an external Interpet 150.
I knew that some of the gravel would contain some bacteria, so I moved my corys and my ottos into my bigger 300L.

I didn't count on how much though. Everything was fine for a few days, however, the sand started to get dirty rather quickly, so I popped to my Not-so-local-FS and bought 9 pygmy corys. Bear in mind I'd already moved my 7 Melini corys and my 5 ottos. The pygmys are doing a great job except I've now noticed a massive increase in nitrites - From 0 to 6ppm.

I've been using Bactinettes to give it a jump start in the new filter because even though I transferred all my old media, I knew I would lose some bacteria and I've just recently learnt that they use Nitrobacter rather than Nitrospira, which isn't helping my Nitrite problem.

So currently I'm doing 90% daily water changes (including draining the external) and feeding once every 2 days, I've also added Zeolite to the external in order to keep any more ammonia spikes under control.

Is there anything else I can do? My old damaged spine can't keep changing 55L of water every 18 hours.

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As I see it, with fish in the tank, you really have no choice but to change water when ammonia and or nitrites become present. I might not use zeolite which could starve the bacteria that may be trying to develop. Instead I would stick with dechlorinator such as Prime and thats all for water changes. Maybe also move some filter material from the larger tank to the new filter to help speed the bacteria development in the tank with new substrate. (sand)

 

[VaegaVic]

The zeolite is in the last stage of filtration and will eventually become saturated so thats not a problem in my eyes (the more it becomes saturated, the more ammonia which means the bacteria will get to full strength eventually).
The current dechlor I'm using is Fresh Start from Interpet which adds bacteria and what nots (although the wrong type of course).
Unfortunately the larger tank has an undergravel filter, not my idea, I just clean it and look after it, and the real owner (my sister) cannot afford an external for that size.

 

[roadmaster]

The zeolite is in the last stage of filtration and will eventually become saturated so thats not a problem in my eyes (the more it becomes saturated, the more ammonia which means the bacteria will get to full strength eventually).
The current dechlor I'm using is Fresh Start from Interpet which adds bacteria and what nots (although the wrong type of course).
Unfortunately the larger tank has an undergravel filter, not my idea, I just clean it and look after it, and the real owner (my sister) cannot afford an external for that size.

Ask your sister to let you borrow a cup full of her gravel and place the gravel in mesh bag or section of nylon stocking. then place this either in the filter of the tank with new substrate or hang it in front of return flow from the filter. This will help establish the colony of nitrifying bacteria to the tank with sand substrate. The nitrifying bacteria gathers on all surfaces inside the aquarium. The glass,substrate,wood,rocks,plants etc. Adding some substrate from your sisters tank as mentioned would in my view,, give your tank the boost needed.

 

[VaegaVic]

The only problem now is getting there, she lives 30 miles away and the weather here has practically shut down this entire area including the main roads.

In all honesty I don't think I'll be able to get there safely and back again, I skidded outside my own house last night.

Any thing I can possibly do apart from cripple myself every day?

 

[roadmaster]

The only problem now is getting there, she lives 30 miles away and the weather here has practically shut down this entire area including the main roads.

In all honesty I don't think I'll be able to get there safely and back again, I skidded outside my own house last night.

I feel for you. Actual outside temp here this A.M. is 25 degrees below zero. Ten mile an hour wind, makes it feel like 35 below. Also have snow as well.
Looks like water changes are the order of the day until you can borrow some seed material from sisters tank. Feeding every couple day as you are doing will also help.

 

[VaegaVic]

Ah #29###, I assumed so, thanks for the help.

Anyone else's input will also be greatly appreciated!

Looks like I'm going to the hospital one way or another lol.