New Tank Syndrome

[alexiooc]

I've had my new tank set up for a few weeks now but due to space issues I couldn't fully cycle the new tank. So I transferred as much stuff over from my little tank to my new one and had to add my fish almost straight away. I knew I would get an ammonia spike as I was basically starting again but after over a week of high ammonia levels in beginning to get worried that it may affect my fish. What's the best way to get the ammonia levels and nitrite levels down without killing the growing bacteria I need? I have nutrifin cycle, which I got off my uncle but I'm not sure how well it works. Please help as I don't want my fish to die!!

 

[ZoddyZod]

water changes, water changes and more water changes are what is needed. Large ones daily if you are getting any ammonia reading at all.

 

[phoenixgsd]

the best thing to do is read up on fish in cycling which can be found in the beginers section on here, but in short, to keep on top of ammonia and nitrite untill the filter is cycled is to do daily large water changes using nothing but temperature matched water with a good dechlorinator like prime, no need to waste money on those filter start products

 

[bikerfish]

Hi I have been reading up on a product called Evolution aqua pure aquarium balls they sound to good to be true but they might be able to help you out have a look and see what you think good luck with problem

 

[Akasha72]

Hi I have been reading up on a product called Evolution aqua pure aquarium balls they sound to good to be true but they might be able to help you out have a look and see what you think good luck with problem

I've seen these at Maidenhead Aquatics and made a post on here about them a couple of months back. They do seem too good to be true but they may work - could be worth a try.

*Note*
I'm NOT suggesting in anyway that these will stop you having to do daily water changes - you will still need to do this if you have New Tank Syndrome (been there, done that, had the poorly fish to prove it)
What I am saying is it can't harm to try and it would be good for someone with new tank syndrome to try them and report the results.
It's all good information for the good of all fish keepers - new and old alike

 

[bikerfish]

Must confess I am getting some on saturday as the tank I bought 8months ago came with 2 filters and they are a load of ....... They keep sending my tank into cycle and have not changed my routine since owning a juwel 125 so here is hoping they do what it says on tin for my sanity and the fish

 

[Akasha72]

Must confess I am getting some on saturday as the tank I bought 8months ago came with 2 filters and they are a load of ....... They keep sending my tank into cycle and have not changed my routine since owning a juwel 125 so here is hoping they do what it says on tin for my sanity and the fish

Well keep us posted on how it goes. Set up a thread that we can follow with the cycling results. I'd be really interested to know if they are as good as they sound

 

[bikerfish]

I have started one already with the title of product , so will keep informed as I have been battling with problem with tank now for quiet awhile and have just lost my lovely male @ female rainbows I done all the water testing and water changes so all cross this works

 

[alexiooc]

Thanks for all the advice. I've already used those aqua balls, have six in my tank at the moment but can't say I've notice anything.

Ive been changing water as suggested but now white spot has seemed to have developed on some of my fish! What's the best way to get rid of white spot whilst trying to sort out cycling? Will water changes help both problems? Also my uncle has suggested microbe lift special blend to help cycle the tank, does this stuff really work as I have a bottle from him which absolutely stinks!!

 

[Akasha72]

White spot has probably arisen from the poor water quality/stressed out fishes. It will need to be treated and I'd recommend Waterlife Protozin.

It will take longer to get rid of though whilst your cycling as the water changes will remove the protozin.

As for the microbe stuff - I've not heard of it before so can't comment on how good or bad it is.

 

[OldMan47]

Sorry Akasha, white spot is a parasite, not a water quality issue at all, although I am well aware that you have read that in other places.
As Zoddy said, the key to dealing with NTS is water changes with no holds barred. The key to ich treatment, if that is needed, is to continue whatever treatment you are using for a few days after the last hint of the disease is gone from your tank. Since we can only treat the free swimming phase of ich, the treatment needs to be present for a few days after the last spot is gone from the last of your fish.
The way to accomplish both of these objectives at the same time is to do water changes as needed for the cycle and re-dose the ich treatment with every water change such that the tank is never left without an ich treatment present. When I was fairly new to fish, in my 20s and younger, I used to lose lots of fish to ich. These days I simply lose none that way. Instead I cure the parasite infestation the first time it shows up and my fish are never weakened enough to succumb to it. I may be an extremist but my fish never die from ich. Instead I make sure that I never stop a treatment before the last possible parasite in my tank is dead. Until then, I make believe that my fish still need to be treated, because the tank does need that treatment.

 

[Dazzler666]

When my tank had itch I also read about slowly raising the temp by a 2 or maybe 3 degrees in order to increase the parasites development phase & speed up when it actually 'exits' the fish which is the time when you actually kill the parasite using your white spot treatment. Otherwise, it will not go & thus re-curring white spot problems!! .
As already stated though, keep up your water changes as this helps the fish to cope whilst infected with the parasite & as Old Man states, continue treatment for several days after.
Hope you get this sorted with minimal problems.

When my tank had itch I also read about slowly raising the temp by a 2 or maybe 3 degrees in order to increase the parasites development phase & speed up when it actually 'exits' the fish which is the time when you actually kill the parasite using your white spot treatment. Otherwise, it will not go & thus re-curring white spot problems!! .
As already stated though, keep up your water changes as this helps the fish to cope whilst infected with the parasite & as Old Man states, continue treatment for several days after.
Hope you get this sorted with minimal problems.

 

[alexiooc]

Thanks for the help guys. Slowly the nitrites are starting to rise so this is a good sign that the cycle is moving isn't it? As for the whte spot I'm using esha exit which was recommended by my lfs and seems to be dokng a good job as the other day nearly all my fish had ich but now only 2 have it so I'm still goin to be using the treatment until a good few days after all fish are clear. Hopefully it wont take too long for the ich to clear up and the cycle to complete!

 

[Henley96]

Thanks for the help guys. Slowly the nitrites are starting to rise so this is a good sign that the cycle is moving isn't it? As for the whte spot I'm using esha exit which was recommended by my lfs and seems to be dokng a good job as the other day nearly all my fish had ich but now only 2 have it so I'm still goin to be using the treatment until a good few days after all fish are clear. Hopefully it wont take too long for the ich to clear up and the cycle to complete!

much appreciated