Nitrite & Ph Problems

[ranjohns]

Day 102

Nitrites, at 12 hours after dosing ammonia to 4ppm, are 1.0ppm - more than yesterday at 12 hours.

Ranjohns

 

[fatheadminnow]

Day 102

Nitrites, at 12 hours after dosing ammonia to 4ppm, are 1.0ppm - more than yesterday at 12 hours.

Ranjohns

Looking good!

-FHM

 

[ranjohns]

Day 102

Nitrites, at 12 hours after dosing ammonia to 4ppm, are 1.0ppm - more than yesterday at 12 hours.

Ranjohns

Looking good!

-FHM

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. But, thanks for your continuing encouragement. I'll keep posting....Ranjohns

 

[ranjohns]

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[fatheadminnow]

I am really looking forward to the day when nitrite drops to zero!

-FHM

 

[waterdrop]

Always helps to remember that the populations are clearly there. You are repeatedly putting in a lot of ammonia and the A-Bacs are processing that down to zero in 12 hours, or close to that the then the N-Bacs doing a fair amount on the nitrite too. All the new surface area in the new filter will be just getting underway. The bacterial cells have to get through the "lag" phase prior to beginning the "growth" phase of their life cycle. They have to build up the biofilm surroundings which they need to help sustain cell division. To the N-Bacs, the 13.5ppm or so of nitrite is a mountain of food to get through.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[ranjohns]

Day 103 fishless cycle

dosed ammonia to 4ppm; 12 hours later nitrites 1ppm.

Ranjohns

 

[ranjohns]

Day 104 Fish in cycle

Yesterday I did a 90% water change. Today, I'm ending the fishless cycle and am starting a new phase today - a fish-in cycle. I'll add 6 neon tetras later this morning.

I'll check water chemistry 2x/day and use water changes to temper chemistry spikes.

If I have to do this again, I would first do the fishless cycle then add plants. Having a fully planted tank early in the cycle made this cycle seemingly endless.

Thanks to all of you for bringing us this for. I'd like to let you know how things go from here and continue to get your feedback. Should I continue to post in this forum?

Ranjohns

 

[fatheadminnow]

Day 104 Fish in cycle

Yesterday I did a 90% water change. Today, I'm ending the fishless cycle and am starting a new phase today - a fish-in cycle. I'll add 6 neon tetras later this morning.

I'll check water chemistry 2x/day and use water changes to temper chemistry spikes.

If I have to do this again, I would first do the fishless cycle then add plants. Having a fully planted tank early in the cycle made this cycle seemingly endless.

Thanks to all of you for bringing us this for. I'd like to let you know how things go from here and continue to get your feedback. Should I continue to post in this forum?

Ranjohns

Yes, please continue to post, as I am anxious to see the results!

Most of the time I would say no to doing a fish-in cycle, however, in you situation I can fully understand.

HOWEVER, do not add Neon Tetras, as they NEED perfect water parameters to live, they WILL die or get really sick if you put them in your tank with your nitrite still not at zero.

I would recommend a different starter fish.

-FHM

 

[ranjohns]

Day 1 fish in tank

FM, I just read your post; 11 hours after adding fish. Water chem before adding fish: ammonia 0; nitrite 0; nitrate 40ppm
Added 6 Neon Tetra at 11:30AM; fed fish at 2:30PM; water temp 78

Water chemistry 9:30PM
Ammmonia 0
Nitrite 0
NitrAte 40ppm

I'll measure water chem. 2x day. So far so good and the fish seem content and they are nice to look at.

Ranjohns

 

[fatheadminnow]

Day 1 fish in tank

FM, I just read your post; 11 hours after adding fish. Water chem before adding fish: ammonia 0; nitrite 0; nitrate 40ppm
Added 6 Neon Tetra at 11:30AM; fed fish at 2:30PM; water temp 78

Water chemistry 9:30PM
Ammmonia 0
Nitrite 0
NitrAte 40ppm

I'll measure water chem. 2x day. So far so good and the fish seem content and they are nice to look at.

Ranjohns

Well, best of luck with it!

Personally I think that this is going to work out for you, why?

First of all, your 6 Neon Tetras are not poducing anywhere near 5 ppm of Ammonia, therefore there is enough bacteria in your filter already from the fishless cycle to process the 'X' amount of Ammonia porduced by yourfish to NitrIte, and finally to NitrAte.

And then by the time you add more fish, you Baceria are going to become well established enough to support more fish.

Lets hope my theory is okay, and all goes well.

Lets us know how it all works out for you!

I wouldn't add anymore fish until 1 week minimum; but two weeks preferably.

-FHM

 

[ranjohns]

I agree. We'll add more tetra is 2 weeks. I need an algae eater. A crossocheilus siamensis sounds like an excellent algae eater and can be a good tank mate.

Any thoughts to share about crossocheilus siamensis.

Thanks,

Ranjohns

 

[ranjohns]

Day 2 of Fish

10am nitrites 0
10:15 fed fish
3:30pm nitrites 0

 

[ranjohns]

Day 3 with Fish

nitrites, 10 hours after feeding fish, are 0.

I added 2 Otocinclus Catfish tonight to deal with the algae on the wood, glass and some plants.

Ranjohns

 

[fatheadminnow]

Glad to see that everything is working out for ya so far!

As long as your Ammonia and Nitrite are zero, you should be able to add more fish, respectfully.

-FHM