Help With Bio Filter Booster

[joshybjoshy]

Hi all

I set my tank up yesterday and added some ocean rock to it. Ive added Seachrem water conditioner and also aded API stress zyme bio filtration booster.....does this stuff actually work

my levels at the min are reading

50mg NO3
0mg NO2
16(2d)GH
6(2d)KH
8.0PH
0cl2

I have no idea what these figures mean im just looking at the ok part how long do i have to leave it before i can start adding fish and can i add stuff like clown loach/rams? or is there better fish to add first?

 

[fatheadminnow]

The stress zyme is useless and will have no effect on the biological filtration (bacteria).

Products that claim they can instantly cycle a tank are rubbish!

What you need to do is perform a fishless cycle, which can be read at the following link.

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=113861

-FHM

 

[joshybjoshy]

ah rite ok

What about the readings they sound about normal or high?

im thinking of getting a couple of fish next next week maybe some firemouths or bolivian rams?

Any suggestions on first cichlids would be great

 

[fatheadminnow]

We also need to know what your ammonia level is?

What kind of test kit are you using? You want a LIQUID test kit, as strip test kits are no good and inaccurate. If you have a strip test kit, I would throw it away and get a LIQUID test kit such as the API LIQUID test kit or Nutrafin.

Also, to get fish next week is too soon. You NEED to cycle a tank, and a fishless cycle take on average 4-6 weeks. The link I provided above will tell you to do a fishless cycle. If you have any questions about how to do it, just ask.

If you get fish next week you would be in a fish-in cycle, where you would be doing on average at least 2 50% water changes a day just to keep the ammonia and/or nitrite down close to safe levels, or the fish will die.

If you really do not want to do a fishless cycle, and prefer a fish-in cycle, the following link will provide you with the info necessary to perform a fish-in cycle. I would strongly recommend you do a fishless cycle, as this is more human for your fish.

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=224306

If you do a fish-in however, do not expect your fish to last long, unless you work really hard keeping your water parameters in check until the beneficial bacteria catch up.

-FHM

 

[joshybjoshy]

will this kit be the one you mean?

http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/API-FRESHWATER-MASTER-TEST-KIT-FOR-FISH-TANK-AQUARIUM_W0QQitemZ370095308581QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Pet_Supplies_Fish?hash=item562b663f25

ive decided im going to do a fishless cycle so if this is the right test kit ill order it and ill go get some ammonia from boots.

When this is done does this mean you can stock up?

also this filter bacteria booster will this be pointless using it when doing the fishless cycle or shall i continue to use on the 7th and 14th days as it says on the bottle

 

[joshybjoshy]

im using test srips by the way and the are pants the colours run into eachother waste of 6 quid they were

 

[fatheadminnow]

will this kit be the one you mean?

http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/API-FRESHWATER-MASTER-TEST-KIT-FOR-FISH-TANK-AQUARIUM_W0QQitemZ370095308581QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Pet_Supplies_Fish?hash=item562b663f25

ive decided im going to do a fishless cycle so if this is the right test kit ill order it and ill go get some ammonia from boots.

When this is done does this mean you can stock up?

also this filter bacteria booster will this be pointless using it when doing the fishless cycle or shall i continue to use on the 7th and 14th days as it says on the bottle

First off, I am very glad, and others will be too when they read this thread, that you are starting out in the right direction by doing a fishless cycle!

Yes, this is the right kit to use.

When the cycle is complete, this means that you have colonized enough beneficial bacteria in your filter to safely handle a full stocking of fish. In other words, when the cycle completes, you can fully stock your tank.

The stress zyme is useless, sorry about that, but it will have no effect on your tank.

Hope this helps! It is also a good idea to start a "Fishless cycle" thread on here keeping it updated daily with your water readings; this will also help us watch your progress and make comments along the way.

-FHM

 

[joshybjoshy]

how many times should i test it a day and do i need to do any water changes if i do the one where you add ammonia and wait for it to drop to zero or do i do that until its ready and do a big water change?

hopefully i should get the stuff ready to start for the weekend

 

[fatheadminnow]

You want to do the "Add and Wait" method.

In the start you want to check daily, every 24 hours. So if you added 5 ppm of ammonia at 8:00 pm, the you check the next day at 8:00 pm. So you are always checking every 24 hours. Also, at the 24 hour mark, this is the only time you add ammonia. So, if when you check at 8:00 pm and the ammonia level is near 0 ppm, then go ahead and add it back up.

Once your ammonia and nitrite are dropping down near 0 ppm every 24 hours (8:00 pm), then you want to start checking every 12 hours. So, add ammonia up to 5 ppm at 8:00 pm, then check at 8:00 AM. If your ammonia and/or nitrite level are at 0ppm here (12 hours mark) you always wait until the 24 hour mark (8:00 pm) to add ammonia back up to 5 ppm.

Once your ammonia and nitrite drop to zero within 12 hours, so they are at 0 ppm when you check at 8:00 AM, then you continue adding the ammonia and checking at 12 hours (8:00 AM) for one week. If, during this time, your ammonia and nitrite both read 0 ppm every day at 8:00 AM for one week, then you are cycle. In other words, if your ammonia and nitrite are dropping to 0 ppm within 12 hours for one week, then you are cycled. (NOTE: during this week you may have a slight nitrite spike.)

At the end of this week you preform a 90% water change and then add fish.

-FHM

 

[joshybjoshy]

i take it the tanks goin to get pretty dirty

at the min ive got lights on a timer so they come on from 10:00 - 14:00 and then from 17:00 - 22:00 so hopefully this should slow the algae growth down a bit

if there is a lot og algae an i best to leave it on the ocean rock i have in then and get a pleco with my stock so it can have a feast or should i take everything out apart from filter and clean it all out?

 

[fatheadminnow]

i take it the tanks goin to get pretty dirty

at the min ive got lights on a timer so they come on from 10:00 - 14:00 and then from 17:00 - 22:00 so hopefully this should slow the algae growth down a bit

if there is a lot og algae an i best to leave it on the ocean rock i have in then and get a pleco with my stock so it can have a feast or should i take everything out apart from filter and clean it all out?

Do you have live plants in the tank? If not, then the lights should not be on. I also perform my fishless cycles without lights.

Light + Ammonia = Algae

Also, if you can, raise the temp to around 84F/29C, as this temp is optimal for bacteria growth.

My tanks never got dirty during a fishless cycle. In the first couple days, if your tank has not done so already, the water will cloud up. This is a bacteria bloom, or sometimes referred to as as "new tank syndrome." This is not to worry as it will soon clear in a couple days.

-FHM

 

[joshybjoshy]

i take it the tanks goin to get pretty dirty

at the min ive got lights on a timer so they come on from 10:00 - 14:00 and then from 17:00 - 22:00 so hopefully this should slow the algae growth down a bit

if there is a lot og algae an i best to leave it on the ocean rock i have in then and get a pleco with my stock so it can have a feast or should i take everything out apart from filter and clean it all out?

Do you have live plants in the tank? If not, then the lights should not be on. I also perform my fishless cycles without lights.

Light + Ammonia = Algae

Also, if you can, raise the temp to around 84F/29C, as this temp is optimal for bacteria growth.

My tanks never got dirty during a fishless cycle. In the first couple days, if your tank has not done so already, the water will cloud up. This is a bacteria bloom, or sometimes referred to as as "new tank syndrome." This is not to worry as it will soon clear in a couple days.

-FHM

right the lights are off
the twin air pump is on
the temps up to 29c
im picking up my test kit and amonia tomorrow night do you know what the best amonia is i need?im going to boots or asda

 

[fatheadminnow]

i take it the tanks goin to get pretty dirty

at the min ive got lights on a timer so they come on from 10:00 - 14:00 and then from 17:00 - 22:00 so hopefully this should slow the algae growth down a bit

if there is a lot og algae an i best to leave it on the ocean rock i have in then and get a pleco with my stock so it can have a feast or should i take everything out apart from filter and clean it all out?

Do you have live plants in the tank? If not, then the lights should not be on. I also perform my fishless cycles without lights.

Light + Ammonia = Algae

Also, if you can, raise the temp to around 84F/29C, as this temp is optimal for bacteria growth.

My tanks never got dirty during a fishless cycle. In the first couple days, if your tank has not done so already, the water will cloud up. This is a bacteria bloom, or sometimes referred to as as "new tank syndrome." This is not to worry as it will soon clear in a couple days.

-FHM

right the lights are off
the twin air pump is on
the temps up to 29c
im picking up my test kit and amonia tomorrow night do you know what the best amonia is i need?im going to boots or asda

Not sure on those brands as I used a different brand over here in the States.

Just make sure that the only ingredients are ammonia and water. If is does not list ingredients then it is probably safe to use.

However, is you are still unsure, give the bottle a good shake. If the ammonia foams up then it is no good. If some air bubbles appear, or no bubbles at all, then it is good to use.

-FHM

I just read that Boots ammonia is safe to use!

-FHM

 

[joshybjoshy]

good stuff

thanks for all your help fhm i will start a log on the site Probably Thursday with update you know how much API i will need to get the amonia to 4-5ppm?

 

[fatheadminnow]

good stuff

thanks for all your help fhm i will start a log on the site Probably Thursday with update you know how much API i will need to get the amonia to 4-5ppm?

lol, You mean how much ammonia to add to your tank to get your reading up to 4-5 ppm? Use the calculator at the top right of this page.

Then you can check your water, using the ammonia test you will be getting, to make sure you added the correct amount of ammonia and to get familiar with the tests.

-FHM