HELP
- Thread starter motomac3
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Those are typically used once the tank is established and there is a some sort of issue where levels become elevated such as a snail or fish dying. Also, no water changes either since your at this point, once and only once trites are zero then do a 50% water change and go from there!
Keep your ph in line and only test for trites at this time.
seastar
Well-Known Member
here's a good article that actually helped me when I started. https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/the-supreme-guide-to-setting-up-a-saltwater-reef-aquarium.84/
About 3/4 down explains cycling. So ammonia spike first, then nitrite, followed by nitrate. You can stop dosing the other stuff and just let it do it's thing. In the article they talk about dropping in a shrimp to let it decompose and kickoff the cycle, or you could dose pure ammonia like Cody suggested. With you're nitrite being so high you've already begun though - that's why everyone suggested getting all the fish out of there, it's really hard (basically lethal) to them while all of that is going on.
About 3/4 down explains cycling. So ammonia spike first, then nitrite, followed by nitrate. You can stop dosing the other stuff and just let it do it's thing. In the article they talk about dropping in a shrimp to let it decompose and kickoff the cycle, or you could dose pure ammonia like Cody suggested. With you're nitrite being so high you've already begun though - that's why everyone suggested getting all the fish out of there, it's really hard (basically lethal) to them while all of that is going on.
As mentioned, there's no need to do a water change. It makes sense that your nitrites are going up and down after your water change; this is the very nature and responsive action of a water change. The issue is you're removing nitrite manually when you shouldn't be, you need to let it set, do it's thing, and your nitrites will fall. Then... you'll see your nitrates spike higher.
Performing water changes or adding additives to control nitrites is the wrong approach. The only benefit in doing this would be if you had an established system and you did "something" to cause a mini cycle and you were trying to save livestock.
Performing water changes or adding additives to control nitrites is the wrong approach. The only benefit in doing this would be if you had an established system and you did "something" to cause a mini cycle and you were trying to save livestock.
thanks for all your help.....as hard as it was for me to believe.....with what you all are saying i think my tank never fully cycled....i never fed or added anything when setting up except live rock and live sand......i have been buying water from the local saltwater store to this point....again thinking it would lessen cycle length. all water added to this point is already made up water from pet shop. yes i bought clean and cured "live" rock.....and caribsea arag-alive hawaiian black sand......im gonna stop driving my self crazy and just let the tank go and do its thing.....i will wait a day or 2 and start testing nitrites again......guess i just need to wait till nitrites do its thing and drop back to or near zero....and go from there
How is the water yoir buying already cycled? Is it coming from an established tank? If so imo it's never good to use watet from a tank your not familiar with. If its salt water make sure its mixed with rodi. But yea just relax and let it ride. Do weekly water changes and it should be fine.
Looks like you solved your problem. Even when you start a system with live substrate you need to add an ammonia source or the bacteria will slowly die off. Again, don't forget your cycling happens in your substrate not your water. If it was me, i would remove all livestock, dose pure ammonia (make sure it's pure, ace hardware usually keeps it in stock, must be clear and produce almost no bubbles when shaken) and let the tank do its thing. You can test daily, nothing wrong with that, I did when I started my first tank; test away, just don't touch it!
Have you checked the parameters of the water your buying? How they keeping that rock alive? Bacteria has to be fed somehow. How often do they clean the tubs. Type what are they using. Are they putting ant additives? Seems like your adding to many unkown variables to your tank. Especially with probably the most important thing which is water.
rockstarta78
Well-Known Member
I don't like using unnecessary chemical in my tank. And I hate even more telling people to use chemical.
Now that the disclaimer is out of the way, (unless I missed it) you still have 4 clown lives that are depending on your success. There's a chemical called Bio-Spira (BRS actually have a video on this on you tube). That should help with adding those fishes back in your tank. I think right now you are on the right track. There are some really good advice on this thread that were give so far. Don't worry about the WC right now, your Nitrite will sort itself out (eventually). Some tanks get cycled in 3 weeks, and some could take 6 weeks. Don't beat yourself up. This is an excellent learning opportunity, and you will learn more as you progress. Everyone makes mistake. I made one last night ........ turned by reactor on with the output line hanging outside the floor ........ ton of water all over the floor........ and an upset wife. I digress. Anyway, you will learn and you will get frustrated, and you will learn and get frustrated again. Welcome to the hobby, and if you have patience you are going to love all the crazyness.
Now that the disclaimer is out of the way, (unless I missed it) you still have 4 clown lives that are depending on your success. There's a chemical called Bio-Spira (BRS actually have a video on this on you tube). That should help with adding those fishes back in your tank. I think right now you are on the right track. There are some really good advice on this thread that were give so far. Don't worry about the WC right now, your Nitrite will sort itself out (eventually). Some tanks get cycled in 3 weeks, and some could take 6 weeks. Don't beat yourself up. This is an excellent learning opportunity, and you will learn more as you progress. Everyone makes mistake. I made one last night ........ turned by reactor on with the output line hanging outside the floor ........ ton of water all over the floor........ and an upset wife. I digress. Anyway, you will learn and you will get frustrated, and you will learn and get frustrated again. Welcome to the hobby, and if you have patience you are going to love all the crazyness.
Your better off buying two containers, small kitchen trashcans will do. One can for fresh water and other for salt that u mix yourself. Juat fill up with rodi water. It's a small tank so water should last a while. 13g aquarium would only require 1.3g water change a week, you can round to 1.5g to make it easier. Trash cans are good because you can hide the in a corner or closet in your home or office.
Still concerned for the 4 clowns in a 6g with no filtration... what's the gig there?
I'd let it do it's thing, see if your nitrites drop; give it a few days and go from there
