New Set-up

[boonc]

I have set up a 350 litre Juwel Trigon 5 days ago. I have been using Seachem Stability as described on the bottle. I have added no ammonia source as yet. I have cloudy white water and the following chemistry - Ammonia 0.1mg/l, Nitrite 0.1mg/l, Nitrate 50 ppm, pH 8.5.

My tap water is Nitrate 25ppm anyway.

What is all this telling me?

Thinking of adding a few Zebra Danios shortly.

Will the cloudy water clear? I'm doing daily 20% water changes.

Look 4ward to your thoughts

Thanks

 

[Ian H]

you shouldnt add any fish until ammonia and nitrite are at 0

cloudy water means there has been a bacterial bloom, its fairly normal in the cycle although if you havnt added any ammonia im a bit confused

 

[boonc]

Only thing I have added is tap safe and the stability - does stability contain a source of ammonia?

 

[boonc]

Water is starting to clear this morning - good news.

My pH is a little high at 8.5 for my chosen fish (Angel Fish) what can I do to lower this?

 

[ashleybrown2]

What is the pH of your tap water? if it is a bit lower you could do water changes to lower it, if not maybe you could get away with 8.5 as long as it is stable. I think the general consensus is a fluctuating pH will do more harm than a stable pH that is higher/lower than recommended (and using chemicals will likely cause your pH to fluctuate...however it does this naturally during a cycle).

You need to cycle the tank, 0/0/50 doesnt tell you anything about the bacteria, basically you need to add a source of ammonia, and monitor the levels of ammonia and nitrite, until 4ppm of ammonia gets broken down to 0 ammonia and 0 nitrites within 12 hours.

You shouldnt add any fish until its cycled. are you using strips to test the water or liquid test kit?

Ash

 

[boonc]

I am using a liquid test kit - I haven't checked the pH of my tap water.

I am planning a fish-in cycle with daily water changes - I know this isn't the preferred option of some but it's a 350 litre tank and I am confident I can keep the water at acceptable levels with daily water changes.

 

[ashleybrown2]

ok well in that case, would it be possible to get some mature media from somewhere? Perhaps someone on the donators thread is near you? It will really speed things up.

Ash

 

[boonc]

My grandad has an established aquarium - however I have been advised against taking media from someone elses tank in case you get more than you bargained for?!

I am hoping that the Seachem Stability will do the trick - I have read many favourable reviews about it.

 

[ashleybrown2]

the only thing to worry about would be if he has had any diseases with any of his fish recently. if it is a healthy tank then theres nothing wrong with using media from someone elses tank at all, its highly recommended, even moreso with a fish-in cycle. The trouble with those "bacteria in a bottle" products is they rarely work due to being handled wrong while being shipped and/or stored. they are meant to be kept refridgerated but there is very rarely any circumstances where they have been handled correctly from being bottled to getting into your tank.
Ash

 

[boonc]

Thanks for all your advice - I'll keep you posted on how it all goes!