Conference 7.286::fish

Hello Everyone,

I would like to introduce a couple of new fish to my tank but thought about doing
some tests first.  PH 7.5 which is OK but the Nitrate registered RED (extremely 
high)  The book I have recommends a daily water change (of about 10% - 20%) which 
should bring it under control.

Question 1:  Are we doing the right thing????

We have now done 3 water changes, using a vacuum gravel cleaner and this morning
the solution still turned Red.   We did run the tank (Tropiquariam 8 gallons) before
using it back in December and introduced about 5 fish at the start. Only the 2 Angel
Fish are still with us so far. I have reduced the feeding since I'm now only down to 
2 fish.

In my book there is a beautfully drawn diagram showing Nitrate/Ph levels and the 
way I read it, is it has to get high before going low - am I close?  It's not in 
plain English and I am having a bit of trouble understanding it (I've only been 
doing this since end of Dec) & unfortunately there is not a society in my area who 
I can ring for advice, hence the reason why I'm asking for your help.

Question 2:  If I took all the gravel out, cleaned it and put it back would I be 
helping or harming the situation OR should I put in a couple of Cat fish to help
clean the bottom???? 

Any help is very much appreciated.

Thanks, Gill
CCS Warrington, UK

    Sounds like your tank is still cycling.  Stop doing the water changes
    and DON'T take out the gravel.
    
    Get a couple of inexpensive fish (feeder goldfish, platies for example)
    and let them help cycle the tank.
    
    Linda

Hello Linda,

Many thanks for your reply.

I started off with 2xAngel Fish, 2xMickey Mouse Platties 1xSilver Mollie the latter 
3 have all died within the last 2 weeks hence one reason why I bought the kits
and thought that maybe the Nitrate was killing them off but can not understand
why the Angels have survived.

If I introduce the ones that you recommend and they die too I wonder what the problem
can be then.

Roughly how long does the cycle of a new tank last, or does it depend on the fish
that are in their?

Many thanks once again,
Gill Forster

CCS Warrington, UK

[email protected]@internet

    Hi Gill,
    
    I'm surprised the Angels lived - they're usually pretty sensitive!  
    
    If they still look ok you could probably just use them to cycle and
    don't add anymore.
    
    It can take as long as six weeks to cycle.  If you've been changing the
    water during this time that may be why it's taking longer (can't
    remember when you set up the tank originally).
    
    The fact that your pH is normal means that you should start seeing the
    nitrates coming down.  Does your test kit check for ammonia too?  (If
    not, don't bother to go out and buy a test kit for that.)  Ammonia is
    just another part of the cycle.  
    
    Just do the nitrate test every day or two.  If it doesn't start to
    clear within, say, a week then you may want to talk to your local fish
    store to see what they recommend.
    
    Good luck!
    
    Linda

Hello Linda,

Oops!!  It's Nitrites (not Nitrates) which are extremely high - sorry that 
was my mistake.

I'm changing 10% of the water daily but the Nitrites is still showing high, 
I've so far changed about 50% of the water. 

Should I carry on doing this until it gets down?  

The tank has been running since 27th December '96 and the first fish (5 in 
total) were added on 5th January '97 and only the 2 Angel Fish have survived.  

There is no debris on the gravel and the water is crystal-clear.  Ph is 
still 7.5 although I've not tested for ammonia.

The filter (Fluval 2) is rough to touch and is made of a sponge material and 
is quite "dirty" which is I believe "normal" and the water is flowing out 
rapid so I don't think there is a problem their.

Help!!

Gill Forster
[email protected]@internet
851 1996



 

    Hi Gill,
    
    High nitrite is totally normal for this stage of the cycle.
    The tank and filter bed need to develop a population of
    bacteria to process waste.  I would stop doing water 
    changes for the next week or so, because at each water 
    change you're removing some of the healthy bacteria.
    Now, the tradeoff here is that angels are somewhat sensitive,
    and it may be that the water changes are keeping the nitrite
    just diluted enough that they're ok. 
    
    The message on the test kit, that recommends water changes
    every day until it's lowered, refers to nitrite problems in
    an established tank.  A new tank has to go through this
    nowmal process before it stabilizes.  A cycle can last as
    long as 8 weeks, and if you've been doing a lot of cleaning
    and/or water changes, it could even lengthen it beyond that.
    
    The good news is that since nitrite is high, you're nearing
    the end of the cycle.  Ammonia is probably down to 0 now, and
    you just need to wait out the nitrites.  It could peak and 
    start to lower any day now, or in the next week or two.  
    
    I know it's confusing.  There's a lot to learn. I strongly 
    recommend that you buy a good book or two on aquarium
    management, which will describe these processes.
    
    Good luck,
    Karen.

    Karen,
    
    Thanks for helping to explain to Gill....
    
    Good luck Gill - by the way - you have the PERFECT name for this hobby!
    
    Linda

Hello Karen, Linda,

Thank you thank you for your explanations ... wow it's simple when it's
explained in English !!

I've had a few laughs & comments made over my name too...  I did not change
any water yesterday & I won't do now for the next 10 days or so to
see how everything goes because I'm REALLY REALLY looking forward to buying
one or two more fish.

Many thanks your time and patience,

Gill Forster
CCS Warrington UK
851-1996