Newbie With A Biorb

[Nad_84]

Morning all,

Thought I would introduce myself. I'm Nad, and I'm living in the Hertfordshire area. I own a 30-litre biorb with an I-light and 4 plants. I am new to this world and have already been through some problems. I literally followed the guide in the manual of the biorb and set it up and added fish very quickly (7 days of cycling). 3 swordfish, and now I only have one.

I have bought myself an API testing kit and some API chemicals, which boost the bacteria. I think my nitrite levels are too high (5) and that is what has put them to sleep.

Anyway I am open to all advice as to what my next steps should be.

Hopefully I will soon have a healthy tank full of happy fish

 

[Nad_84]

When i get home tonight, i will post up what my reading are. As i think this will help me get the advice i need.

Will anyone be able to help me?

 

[aaronnorth]

nitrite, ammonia have to be 0, 0.25 MAX

nitrates up to 40 (depends on fish, discus wont tolerate more than 20)
Once your nitrites have dropped and you get a reading of nitrates, your tank will be cycled and you can add fish, up to 5 a week although that will probobaly be the maximum depending on fish

 

[Nad_84]

Thanks for the advice,

Readings are:
pH 8.4
Nitrite 0.25
Nitrate 5
Ammonia 0

i think that is pretty good, although i think the pH is high

I got 2 dalmation mollys tonight to give the sword tail some company.

I was told that i shouldn't do a water change for another 4 days to allow the new fish to climatize to the new water. Is this the case?

I added 1 and a half tsp of Stress Zyme yesterday. Hopefully that will help.

What do you guys think?

 

[Nad_84]

Anyone?

 

[WILDER]

Biorb are nice to look at but don't make very good fish tanks.
All there fit for it a betta.

Your tanks still cycling and will take it's toll on the fish as they have to go through the ammonia and nitrite process, which can damage the fish gills and burn the fish skin.

Plenty of water changes and aeration, if you have only scordtail in the tank, I would add two teaspoon of salt to help pretect the gills and the fish skin.
Read up on cycling tank.

Added two mollies which I wouldn't of advised in a cycling tank.

 

[aaronnorth]

I had a molly in a cycling tank and it was ok, swimming around, healthy, they are very hardyeven in freshwater. You can use peat to lower pH but if fish are ok then leave it, don't go near chemicals.

 

[Duck and Dive]

I agree biorbs arn't very practical but they do look good when they are fully furnashed. I have a 60L. They ones are not just fit for bettas, you can also have guppies in a 30L