New Tank Transfered Media Just Need Some Advise

[Boo1966]

Hi Guys,

I have introduced myself in the new members section and just have a few questions!

I have puchased a new tank Fluval Roma 200 which is now planted and set up! I was going to do a fishless cycle as I had done a fish in cycle on my 27l tank but after posting on the beginners section I was advised that I can transfer media and would not need to do a fishless cycle.

SO here is what I have done, I set the tank up, declorinated the water, added two filter sponges from a new friend who has had his tank running for over a year successfully! My filter is a Fluval U4 and his was a Fluval U2 so I placed his filters in my filter and switched it all on the heater is on set at 27 and I added some additional cycle. My question is at the moment the tank has been like this for 24 hours when can I move my fish over from my 27L tank?

Do I need to put the filter from the 27L tank in as well to help with the cycle? will this tank be instantly cylcled?

I have tested the water and the readings were

Ammonia 0

Nitrite 0.8

Nitrate 20

PH 7.5

I am aware that the Nitrate should be 0 I could do a 20% water change to lower the Nitrite and Nitrate but now sure what to do now! please can someone help!

I have 2 large peices of bogwood in the tank and have planted to tank, I do not have a CO2 thing but have the lights that came with the tank and one of them says its for a planted tank. How long should I put the lights on each day to help the plants?

Any advice you be gratefully received.

The fish I am going to tranfer when its ready are 3 ballon Mollys I platy, 2 guppies, I neon, these are the fish that survived my LFS lead fish in cycle! I really want to do this right this time so please advice me on what to do!

Theresa

 

[Smells a bit fishy]

Just a quick one. Nitrites are too high. Leave the tank running until that has become 0. Then do a water change. Nitrates being 20 is normal. Most tap water has 20ppm nitrate so that is normal. There is no way of getting rid of all nitrates that is why we do weekly water changes to lower that. However 20 is perfectly normal and safe for the fish. Even levels of over 100ppm has been proven to be safe. However at that level it is worth doing a water change. Can't comment on anything else as I am fairly new myself, I'm sure more experienced people will be along shortly

 

[roadmaster]

Were it me,, I would perform a 50 percent water change and add the platy,guppies,and neon.After a week to ten days,I would Then add the mollies.
If the filter material you borrowed was kept wet while transferring it to your tank, you could prolly add all of the fish mentioned and perhaps test the water every day for a few days to ensure there was no ammonia or nitrite spike and be fine.If you see a spike in either,,then perform another water change.
Is important that the bacteria you borrowed has a steady food source (fish waste,fish food) or it will begin to die back and be less useful.
You can either add a couple three fish to feed the bacteria,or add a pinch of fish food each day until you place fish in the tank.

 

[Boo1966]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for your replies, yes the media was kept wet and only out of the tanks for about 40minutes! I am just going to work but later today when I return I will do a water change and then add the guppies, neon and platy to the tank.

I will continue to test the water and as suggested add the mollies in about 10 days time.

Thanks for your help its really appreciated! I just want to make sure that I do it right this time!

Theresa

 

[Boo1966]

Well did 50% water change at 3pm then checked after a night out at 12 and the Nitrite was back up to 0.8 so did 20% water change and only a tinge of pink so transferred the fish over! Will check again tomorrow and if needed do another 20% water change! Am I doing this right still no ammonia and 20 Nitrate?

I thought the mature media would kick in ?

Any advice would be appreciated!

 

[jkilby]

Nitrates at 20 isn't worrying to me, but to help reduce this you can use real plants, as they feed off of Nitrates and in turn lower the levels in the tank. This is also why the water from your weekly water changes is great for watering your garden with, as it is a super plant food.

 

[Boo1966]

Nitrates at 20 isn't worrying to me, but to help reduce this you can use real plants, as they feed off of Nitrates and in turn lower the levels in the tank. This is also why the water from your weekly water changes is great for watering your garden with, as it is a super plant food.

Thanks Fish Crazy,

I was more worried about the Nitrites being 0.8 so did a 20% water change! I have planted with real plants just hope the live as don't have any co2 equipment?

Theresa

 

[Boo1966]

Hi just an update any advice would be gratful if you could help!

Monday did a 50% water change in the morning as nitrites at 0.8 tested at 12pm at night and still 0.8 did a futher 20% water change and left overnight!

Tuesday tested at 7pm in evening as at work all day! results from Tuesday

Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0.8
Nitrate 10
PH 7.5

Did a 20% water change and added washed filter media from my 27 litre tank that I have now given to my son!

Left overnight!

Wednesday working from home so have tested water between typing reports.

Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0.3
Nitrate 0

PH 7.5

I am not sure what to do? do I do a 20% water change tonight when finished work? or do I leave it as not sure what to do as washed media into tank yesterday and dont want to lose it!

I am not sure why the nitrate has gone from 10 yesterday to 0 today is this good?

thank you in anticipation of any advice

Theresa

 

[This Old Spouse]

How are you testing? I'm curious as to how you come up with .8 and .3, etc., when the readings for an API test kit are in .25 increments.

Also, what kind of dechlorinator are you using?

 

[Boo1966]

How are you testing? I'm curious as to how you come up with .8 and .3, etc., when the readings for an API test kit are in .25 increments.

Also, what kind of dechlorinator are you using?

Hi This Old Spouse,

Thank you for your post I am using Nutrafin Testing Kit, I also use Nutrafin dechlorinator.

I have just tested my tap water which is straight from the tap and the readings are as follows

Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate between 0.3 and 0.8
PH 7.5

Your advice is appreciated

Theresa

Sorry Nitrate wrong

Nitrate is 5 from tap and today testing my water it was 0 but just going to check that again to make sure!

Sorry got a bit confused
Theresa

 

[This Old Spouse]

If you're using the master test kit, great. The test strips are terribly unreliable.

I'm not very worried about your nitrates, and your ammonia and nitrite is at 0 so your tap water looks great. It's usually best to test the tap water after it sits for 24 hours, btw. But your tank water is only slightly elevated in nitrites, so I'd do a 50% w/c and test again.

Also, if the Nutrafin test kit is like the API test kit, you really need to shake the nitrate test bottles a LOT. Follow all those instructions to the letter. I just discovered that my API test kit nitrate bottle needs to be smacked on the table a couple times before I then shake it for 2 minutes, then add it to the test tube, then shake it for 2 more minutes. The results varied a great deal.

Keep us posted!

 

[Boo1966]

If you're using the master test kit, great. The test strips are terribly unreliable.

I'm not very worried about your nitrates, and your ammonia and nitrite is at 0 so your tap water looks great. It's usually best to test the tap water after it sits for 24 hours, btw. But your tank water is only slightly elevated in nitrites, so I'd do a 50% w/c and test again.

Also, if the Nutrafin test kit is like the API test kit, you really need to shake the nitrate test bottles a LOT. Follow all those instructions to the letter. I just discovered that my API test kit nitrate bottle needs to be smacked on the table a couple times before I then shake it for 2 minutes, then add it to the test tube, then shake it for 2 more minutes. The results varied a great deal.

Keep us posted!

Thank you for this info!

I will do a 50% water change later today as I am trying to get a report typed for work and the phone keeps ringing!

Will doing this water change effect the media I washed out in the tank yesterday! I know it should help with lowering the Nitrite which will be good!

Do you recommend the API kit over the the Nutrafin one? I have noted what you said about the nitrate test bottle I have been shaking this for about 30 seconds but when I test tonight I will shake it for longer and tap it on the table!

Do you know anything about plants and lighting as I have planted a lot of plants and do not have a CO2 thing I am relying on the lighting which came with the tank it was two bulbs one for plants and one for the fish!

I think they are Fluval GLO lighting unit,
One Power-Glo Fluorescent Aquarium Tube 30W 91.44cm (36in) T8
One Aqua-Glo Fluorescent Aquarium Tube 30W 91.44cm (36in) T8

I have used black fine gravel!

Any advice would be appreciated!
Theresa

 

[This Old Spouse]

You washed out the media IN the tank? That would probably account for the high nitrite level. The filter media should be rinsed in OLD tank water that you've just drained from your tank into a tub or bucket, then replace the media in the filter.

And water changes don't affect the filter media. All that great bacteria is in the filter media (and the substrate), not the tank water.

I've only ever used the API test kit and don't know about the Nutrafin kit. If it's a master test kit I'd think it would be fine. It's the test strips that are unreliable.

I'm in the same boat as you concerning plants and lighting. I've asked lots of questions on the forum but basically it's a matter of trial and error with me. Somewhere I've heard it mentioned that you should have 1 watt per gallon of water for good plant growth. In my 55g I should have 50-60 watts of light. Trying to save up to do that, as right now I only have 30w of lighting.

And then start planning for all the new fish you can get!

 

[Boo1966]

You washed out the media IN the tank? That would probably account for the high nitrite level. The filter media should be rinsed in OLD tank water that you've just drained from your tank into a tub or bucket, then replace the media in the filter.

And water changes don't affect the filter media. All that great bacteria is in the filter media (and the substrate), not the tank water.

I've only ever used the API test kit and don't know about the Nutrafin kit. If it's a master test kit I'd think it would be fine. It's the test strips that are unreliable.

I'm in the same boat as you concerning plants and lighting. I've asked lots of questions on the forum but basically it's a matter of trial and error with me. Somewhere I've heard it mentioned that you should have 1 watt per gallon of water for good plant growth. In my 55g I should have 50-60 watts of light. Trying to save up to do that, as right now I only have 30w of lighting.

And then start planning for all the new fish you can get!

On Sunday i got two filter sponges from a friend who has an established tank, these were from a U2 I have a U4 I put them in the filter! Then last night before I gave my small 27l tank to my son I washed the filter sponge from this small tank in my tank. Would this have raised the Nitrites?

Regarding the plants I think I will have to wait and see I amy order some SEACHEM Flourish Excel from the internet, it seems to have good reviews!

I am really exited about what fish to buy! to add to my 3 mollies 2 guppies and 1 platy and I neon! I already know that I want to have more neons to shoal with the one lonely neon! but not really sure about what else to get. I like Rams but not read up on them so not sure if they will be ok I would also like a sucker fish but not sure what one to get as I know some can grow really large!

Thanks again for your help and support
Theresa

 

[This Old Spouse]

It seems to me your nitrites could have been raised by washing the filter sponge in your tank. Not sure since I never heard of anyone doing it. At any rate, it's done and I would keep an eye on your levels for the next few days to be sure there's no spike in ammonia or nitrites.

Best of luck to you!