Help me help my fish

[RioJAT]

Hello everyone,

I started my 55 gallon freshwater tank a week before Christmas. I filled it from the tap, added some bacteria starter (Petsmart brand, can't remember specifcs) and let it run up until the big day when it was given (empty) as a gift.

I had the water tested at my LFS, was given the green light and introduced 5 Black Skirt Tetras. Every Friday, I've taken a water sample to my LFS, gotten good readings and introduced 3-4 fish at a time up to my current 8 Black Skirts, 8 Dwarf Neon Rainbows and 2 Swordtails.

Everything has been going great, the fish have looked active and happy and my readings have been good until 3 days ago, my LFS reading said my Nitrites were a little high (but still safe). I quickly did a 25% change and felt confident.

The next test said my Nitrites were still high (higher than last time) and so I did a 50% change.....

I've slowed my feedings, and vaccumed my sand substrate, and my levels were still high today. (My girlfriend had it tested while I'm at work so I didn't get exact #'s)

I'm scared for my fish, and want to do all I can to help them.

I'll purchase my own test kit tomorrow and do another water change, but what else can I do to protect my fish and prevent this Nitrite from hurting them?

I know I didn't cycle the best possible way and I know I could have introduced slower....but it was a X-mas gift for my daughter and everything seemed to be going perfect.

Please help with with any advice you have. Can I add any bacteria at this point that would help? What else can I do besides regulary test and change the water?

Thank you for your time!!

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[Quest84]

your tank was not cycled at all. Are you using water conditioner? Do a 50% water change using water conditioner ASAP, most of us here use prime as our water conditioner. Prime can also be used in an emergency to detoxify ammonia and nitrite. When you have ammonia, nitrite or nitrate present in your water, the best thing is always a water change

Go to local fish store and ask them for some seeding material. They will give you a used sponge filter or piece of established media that has all of the good bacteria that you need on it. Squeeze out all the gunk into your tank and then let it float in the water. This will significantly speed up the cycle of your tank.

Bacteria in a bottle is crap and does not work.

 

[RioJAT]

Yeah, I'm using Prime conditioner every time I change water

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[RioJAT]

Ok, that's exactly why I'm on here....for that kind of tip, thank you! ! I'll ask for some seeding material tomorrow, water change tonight as soon as I get home

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[Quest84]

Ok, that's exactly why I'm on here....for that kind of tip, thank you! ! I'll ask for some seeding material tomorrow, water change tonight as soon as I get home

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that's the best course of action, good luck

 

[philipraposo198]

your tank was not cycled at all. Are you using water conditioner? Do a 50% water change using water conditioner ASAP, most of us here use prime as our water conditioner. Prime can also be used in an emergency to detoxify ammonia and nitrite. When you have ammonia, nitrite or nitrate present in your water, the best thing is always a water change

Go to local fish store and ask them for some seeding material. They will give you a used sponge filter or piece of established media that has all of the good bacteria that you need on it. Squeeze out all the gunk into your tank and then let it float in the water. This will significantly speed up the cycle of your tank.

Bacteria in a bottle is crap and does not work.

True nitrifying bacteria IN A BOTTLE DOES work!! don't spread lies. His tank has been running for a month and could be cycled but with no actual numbers you have no clue like the rest of us if his tank is cycled or not. So pretty much all of what you said minus the bit about changing water and prime is a load of bs.

Spreading false info only hurts the OP and anyone who reads this that doesn't know any better.

 

[Quest84]

True nitrifying bacteria IN A BOTTLE DOES work!! don't spread lies. His tank has been running for a month and could be cycled but with no actual numbers you have no clue like the rest of us if his tank is cycled or not. So pretty much all of what you said minus the bit about changing water and prime is a load of bs.

Spreading false info only hurts the OP and anyone who reads this that doesn't know any better.

if his tank is showing nitrite it isn't finished cycling. Spread lies? lol..keep telling yourself that rookie. The bacteria in a bottle is CRAP!!!!!!! IT HAS NO FOOD SOURCE TO STAY ALIVE. THE ONES ON THE SHELVES ARE NOT STORED IN THE PROPER TEMP. ETC..


Getting tired of you clowns that don't know hardly anything about this hobby challenging me when I am trying to give someone good advice, I have been doing this for a long time. The best way for him to get good bacteria is through seeding materia, not steal your money bacteria in a bottle

 

[philipraposo198]

For the op,

Do 50% water changes and get a test kit and calibrate it before you use it. Read on how to do this. Otherwise reading you will get MAY be false / inaccurate.

Daily large what changes can't hurt your fish UNLESS you tap water is full of nitrates or something else harmful to fish. in which case you should be able to find reports of your water online somewhere. Temp matching is key, also ensure the ph in the tap matches the tank. otherwise fish will get stressed out and possibly die.

 

[RioJAT]

I appreciate all your help regardless, and more help just helps more, so thanks to all!

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[Brookster123]

Nitrites have no place in a cycled tank Phillip.. and bacteria in a bottle is entirely hit or miss.. we both know that.
Op- sounds like you're doing just fine, investing in an api master kit for proper.liquid testing would.be my first course of action.. seeded media will.always help but most chain stores.will not share.. I'd continue with a 30% wc every day until you're cycled.

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[philipraposo198]

i don't trust that the lfs is giving this person current info that why I will wait till he actually performs his own tests using a liquid test kit.

Many people have used those products with success. its all over the internet. generally those tht don't have success using it is because they have done something incorrectly.

Not going to get into a debate over what works and what doesn't. the internet provides tons of proof that both TSS and atm colony and dr tims all work.

 

[Coursair]

To the OP, when you get your test kit also test your tap water without prime. And then test again with prime.

If you'd like to try some, easy live plants can also help cushion the cycle for your fish, and may help speed the cycle up.

Moss Balls
Java Ferns
Anubias
Crypts
Anacharis

Are all easy low light plants. The Java ferns and Anubias don't even need to be planted. You can tie or glue them to rocks or wood. Anacharis can be floated or planted. Crypts do need a root tab to be happy.




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[Coursair]

If you haven't found these already, here are some articles on cycling.
http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forum...ou-get-started-with-your-aquarium-154837.html

One tip, don't throw away your filter pads every month like the pet store tries to tell you to do. Just rinse off filter pads in used tank water. And put them back in. I keep using them until they fall apart. You do not need fresh carbon in a tank, except to remove medications.




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[Delapool]

Hello everyone,

I started my 55 gallon freshwater tank a week before Christmas. I filled it from the tap, added some bacteria starter (Petsmart brand, can't remember specifcs) and let it run up until the big day when it was given (empty) as a gift.

Just in case - there are two bacteria in a bottle products. Not sure which one you used? Both can work (although also may not).

One will have nitrifying bacteria and the other will be some sort of sludge destroying bacteria. The two are differant and if you try bacteria in a bottle, than make sure it says it will complete your cycle / remove ammonia & nitrite / add nitrifying bacteria (or something like that).

 

[treemanone2003]

Many people have used those products with success. its all over the internet. generally those tht don't have success using it is because they have done something incorrectly.

Not going to get into a debate over what works and what doesn't. the internet provides tons of proof that both TSS and atm colony and dr tims all work.

Many people "CLAIM" to have used "MANY" products with success. However, success is only measures in numbers and unless you can provide those numbers in detail with supporting documentation, I will venture on the side of caution first.

By stating that "the proof is in the Internet" on what works and what doesn't is an invitation on initiating, debating, and losing such a debate. Again, I will reiterate that you've supplied no info to back up that claim. To go one step further, as pointed out previously, temperature plays a vital role in these "bacteria colony" products and when you add in the fact that the entire US is fairly cold right now, they don't last during shipping.

One more thing while we're at it. As for those "products", while there are a few that claim Dr. Tim's and a couple that agree about TSS, you're the ONLY promoter of ATM products on this forum.

Op, I'm not trying to take anything away from your thread. I feel Quest has you pointed in the proper direction and suggest you follow those guidelines. I'm just trying to add some clarity on the post I quoted. Hope this helps.


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[RioJAT]

Ok, you guys have been awesome, thank you. I'm off work now and headed home to do a water change. I have been draining five or six 5 gallon buckets and then filling them back from the tap, adding Prime conditioner. I let them sit a few hours to even the temp, but that only gets it to room temp and my tank is set to 79 degrees. Anything else I need to be doing temp-wise?

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[RioJAT]

The bacteria I used initially was definitely some sort of starter bacteria, I just don't have the bottle anymore to give specifics

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[RioJAT]

I work in the morning, as soon as I'm off I'll read about calibrating (jk, I'll do that at work,) buy a liquid test kit, test my tap, test my tap with Prime, and test my tank water. I'll probably buy a live plant or two. Aside from regular tests and changing the water accordingly, any other tips to keep these fish happy and healthy would be appreciated! !

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[RioJAT]

Thank you all for your time and advice!!

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[Coursair]

For temp matching , I touch my tank and touch my tapwater and just do an approximate match. My fish seem fine with this.


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