Having Trouble

[philfista]

Hi all ,

O.k changed my filter media from my internal filter to external filter. Seems i have started a mini cycle , great. have put in ammo-lock because the ammonia reading is 8.0.

Anyway have done 3 x 30% water changes in the last 3 days and the ammonia has only droped to 6.0. What is going on ?

Any one got any ideas other then keep doing water changes and doing tests.

My new external filter is a tetratec 1200 which is more then enough for a 180 liter tank. I have it runing a max power to try and filter the tank more is this o.k?

 

[Underwurlde]

Erm, what did you do with your old filter media?.?.?

8.0, that's off the scale isn't it? What tester are you using?

Any one got any ideas other then keep doing water changes and doing tests.

For now, that is the best you can do. Do more water changes until it drops considerably more!

Andy

 

[philfista]

I put all the old media ( 4 sponges) in to the new filter, removing one sponge in the new filter, so it should be o.k. but its not . Im using API master test kit.

 

[Underwurlde]

Yes I agree there. OK, how did you transfer it? What did you do, where did you keep the media & how long did you take?

Andy

 

[afishdude]

sounds like you started a new cycle, how long did you leave the media without water or fish?

 

[Tolak]

Either the media sat out of the water too long, causing your nitrifying bacteria to die off, or you may have inadvertently rinsed the media in chlorinated water. Either way, keep up with the water changes & ammo-lock routine, I would only feed once every other day, less food in means less waste produced.

 

[philfista]

This is what i did .

i ran the 2 filter together for 2 weeks before seeking advice . My new filter has ceramics, bio balls , carbon and 5 sponges, one on each tray plus a double on one tray. I took out only one new sponge and replaced it with all four sponges from the old filter which were covered in gunk. They were out of the water for a couple of mins max, which is why it doesnt make sense . Was trying to be as careful as i can.

Anyway what done is done. What next. Please save my fish.

 

[Underwurlde]

mini cycle it is then. Can't fault what you did. Keep water changing to keep the ammonia levels in check. You are cycling now with fish.

Honestly, GL mate

Andy

 

[philfista]

Is there any chemical thing i can do to protect my fish? Should i keep my filter on max ?