New 20 Gal Set-up

[Andrew G]

I set-up a new 20 gal in the office last Thu, added the recommended amount of Bio-Spira, and removed the carbon from the filter. Then added 6 African Cichlids.

Today (Tuesday), the ammonia reading was 0.25 and the tank looks cloudy. I was hoping that the Bio-Spira would help to avoid an Ammonia spike.

Any thoughts on the ammonia rise and how to clear the cloudy water? Should I replace the carbon?

Thanks,
Andrew

PS: One of the cichlids is missing, probable devoured by the other tank mates.

 

[Tsi_User]

nvm

 

[Andrew G]

First off, it takes weeks to properly cycle a tank to the point where it is safe for fish. You can't just add fish to a tank and expect them to be alright. Any amonia reading is unsafe for fish.

Secondly, many people don't even keep the carbon filter in unless they're trying to get medication out of the water. This will not solve your problem.

I would suggest reading up on cycling a tank the proper way and find a new safe home for your fish for the time being or take them back to your LFS.

Tsi_User

I'm not a beginner and thus know in detail about the issue of cycling a tank. In fact, I currently have several tanks at home that were cycled using my procedures and am happy to say that not one fish was lost and that all (tanks and fish) are at least 3 years old, and crystal clear.

Since it was an office project, I was forced to set-up this tank is a hurry and followed the recommendations of several forum members regarding the benifits of using Bio-Spira.

Does anyone else have any constructive ideas?

Thanks.

 

[Tsi_User]

Okay then my mistake, it mentioned in you description setup so I assumed you hadn't done it.

What color is the cloudy water?

Most people recommend frequent water changes to get the amonia concentrations down.

 

[Bignose]

You know, 0.25 ppm after 6 days is pretty good. It looks like maybe some of the bio-spira took. At the very least, it bears watching over the next day or so, and water changes never hurt so long as you match pH, temperature and hardness.

 

[TigerIssey]

I also used Bio-spira, the ammonia will probably not get any higher, the traditional spike does not occur. Are you getting Nitrates yet, do samll water changes every couple of days, you will read 0 ammonia in not many days at all.

 

[Araxen]

First off, it takes weeks to properly cycle a tank to the point where it is safe for fish. You can't just add fish to a tank and expect them to be alright. Any amonia reading is unsafe for fish.

Secondly, many people don't even keep the carbon filter in unless they're trying to get medication out of the water. This will not solve your problem.

I would suggest reading up on cycling a tank the proper way and find a new safe home for your fish for the time being or take them back to your LFS.

Before you flame a user you should have read the person used Bio-spira which can insta-cycle a tank. I've used the product many times and never had any problems with adding fish the same time you put in the Bio-spira. Sometimes there is a little ammonia spike while the tank gets totally established and that is solved with some water changes.

As along you do some water changes you'll be fine.

 

[Tsi_User]

First off, it takes weeks to properly cycle a tank to the point where it is safe for fish. You can't just add fish to a tank and expect them to be alright. Any amonia reading is unsafe for fish.

Secondly, many people don't even keep the carbon filter in unless they're trying to get medication out of the water. This will not solve your problem.

I would suggest reading up on cycling a tank the proper way and find a new safe home for your fish for the time being or take them back to your LFS.

Before you flame a user you should have read the person used Bio-spira which can insta-cycle a tank. I've used the product many times and never had any problems with adding fish the same time you put in the Bio-spira. Sometimes there is a little ammonia spike while the tank gets totally established and that is solved with some water changes.

As along you do some water changes you'll be fine.

I wouldn't consider this flaming a user. Yes, I know about Bio-spira but he still has amonia readings. IMHO adding fish to a tank that has amonia in it is still not a good idea.