Hello There Semi Newbie

[krismcewan]

Hi all.

Well im sort of a newbie to the hobby. sort of newbie because i have had a small Aquastart 320 tank now for a year so i could get used to it.

A few weeks ago i took the plunge and got a second hand Flaval 180Ltr tank with an external Fluval 304 canister filter. I decided it was time to move to the next level of bigger tank more fish.

Of course im not giving up my little tank as im keeping my Neons and Black phantoms in there along with a couple of other small fish i have purchased (see sig for stock)

So far after a quick cycle (donated some water, media, and substrate from friend to get things moving quicker) I got some fish after a week or so and today I got some more. I have added a fair few plants some of which I have no idea what. do far apart from a slight high nitrite level (probably due to fertalisers i have added) things are going great.

I honestly couldnt not express what satisfaction I get from my tanks to anyone. Its such a goody hobby and one that produced tangible viewable results for everyone to share.

 

[rabbut]

So far after a quick cycle (donated some water, media, and substrate from friend to get things moving quicker) I got some fish after a week or so and today I got some more. I have added a fair few plants some of which I have no idea what. do far apart from a slight high nitrite level (probably due to fertalisers i have added) things are going great.

Glad to hear that you enjoy your hobby Are you shure that the nitrite came from you fertiliser? This chemical is dangerous to fish, and should not be in fish care products. If it did come from this product, I would advise you to switch to a different make of fertiliser If on the other hand, this is nitrate (note spelling) then, it is normal after a cycle, as it is the byproduct of the filter. How high is the reading, and which is it?

All the best
Rabbut

 

[krismcewan]

Deffo NitrIte

its sitting at aprox 0.5 MG/L and my Nitrate is at 10 MG/L

Amonia is not regesterign yet and ph is around 6.5 although i have setup a co2 system today so it should change over the next few days.

 

[rabbut]

Deffo NitrIte

its sitting at aprox 0.5 MG/L and my Nitrate is at 10 MG/L

Amonia is not regesterign yet and ph is around 6.5 although i have setup a co2 system today so it should change over the next few days.

Do you have fish in your signature in ATM? If so, for some reason, the mature donated media from your friend hasn't worked to cycle the tank fully You are currently going through what looks like a mini-cycle, through adding your fish in slighlty too bigger numbers It's not too bad, and the tank will eventualy sort itself out (probibly wothin a week), but untill then you will need to do 25-50% waterchanges every time you find ammonia or nitrite in the tank above 0.25mg/l Whatch your pH with the CO2 running, if its 6.5 before injecting, it may crash if you inject anywhere neer the amount you require I would look to add some crushed coral to the filter (about 1 tea spoon to every 20gal of so) to keep the pH stable Lucky you appreas to be in a soft water area This meany you can keep may more delicate species more successfuly than most.

HTH
Rabbut

 

[krismcewan]

I had a sneaky feeling about the cycle it was fine when i checked it on Thursday but i should have checked this morning before getting more fish. As you say its soft water so its quickly settled.

I had the tetras and the Gouramis in for over a week before I added the Mollys and Corys.

Im visiting an aquatics shop tomorrow so I will grab some coral. Im also geting a pinch valve to slow the co2 into the tank. I also need to get a KH test kit.

Unfortunately im away next week and there is no chance the wife will do water changes so im going to do a 30% change tomorrow, i will also clean the sand to pick up any crap. Hopefully that will be enough to keep things from going ott before i am back Friday and ill do a change then.

 

[rabbut]

You don't want to be limiting the ammount of CO2 entering the tank form a yeast based injection system. Pressure will build up in the reactor, possible caursing the reactor to rupture, showering the room with yeast mixture The best way of reducing the flow of CO2 into the tank, is to use less yeast

HTH
Rabbut

 

[krismcewan]

Lost a sailfin this afternoon. I had done woater tests and nothing changed for the prev results.


Did a water change straight after. I will test the water again later tonight.
the rest of the fish and the other saifin dont seem to have any problems.