smyr2001
Aquarium Advice Newbie
Hi everyone.
I have researched this in prior posts and other forums, but I'm having a hard time figuring this out. I'm hoping you guys are smarter than me and can figure this out. I'm stumped.
Real quick back story, I set my Nano 29 up in late June. My lfs convinced me to cycle the tank with two Chromis in it from the start and use Aquafin Cycle. They promised the fish would live... They died.
I read somewhere that the best way to cycle a new tank is with shrimp from a grocery store. I decided a dead chromis would be good enough, so i left it in there to rot. It did and ammonia spiked. A week later, I tested and ammonia and nitrites were at 0, so I went and got a shrimp, two chromis, two clowns, a lawnmower blenny and an anemone (at different times of course - spread each one out over several weeks). I have been struggling with my ammonia ever since.
I fight with my ammonia levels on a daily basis. For several weeks, I did daily 5 gallon water changes. I pulled the stock filter out and now wrap pillow batting around charcoal and place it in the middle section on the tray in two places. I replace half of it every week. I have an ammonia reducing filter pad and nitrate reducing pad in the first chamber and an air stone in the third chamber. I rinse the sponge out near the pump once a week.
My anemone died last week. I really think it's because I keep fighting with the ammonia so much. Last night, it was at .25. I added Kent's Ammonia Pro and tested 30 mins later. It dropped to 0. This morning when I woke up, I tested again. I'm back to .25. I added more Ammonia Pro and do water changes several times a week. Every time I do a water change, I stir the substrate. I feed once a day but make sure I do it only enough to be consumed in 5 mins or less. I've thought about dropping that even more, but the fish look hungry. Last night I got home late and the clown nearly jumped out of the tank when I opened the lid it was so hungry.
I'm tired of fighting this. I'm worried that I didn't let the tank cycle enough. I keep adding Aquafin Cycle (I've read that it's garbage, but I still have it so I'm using it) and bought a powdered bacteria from Petco to add. I added it every day for a week and a half. Still having problems.
What am I doing wrong? If I didn't let it cycle correctly, can I get the bacteria in that the tank needs without everything dying off?
Thanks in advance for any help. I'd really appreciate any advice!
Thanks!!!
I have researched this in prior posts and other forums, but I'm having a hard time figuring this out. I'm hoping you guys are smarter than me and can figure this out. I'm stumped.
Real quick back story, I set my Nano 29 up in late June. My lfs convinced me to cycle the tank with two Chromis in it from the start and use Aquafin Cycle. They promised the fish would live... They died.
I read somewhere that the best way to cycle a new tank is with shrimp from a grocery store. I decided a dead chromis would be good enough, so i left it in there to rot. It did and ammonia spiked. A week later, I tested and ammonia and nitrites were at 0, so I went and got a shrimp, two chromis, two clowns, a lawnmower blenny and an anemone (at different times of course - spread each one out over several weeks). I have been struggling with my ammonia ever since.
I fight with my ammonia levels on a daily basis. For several weeks, I did daily 5 gallon water changes. I pulled the stock filter out and now wrap pillow batting around charcoal and place it in the middle section on the tray in two places. I replace half of it every week. I have an ammonia reducing filter pad and nitrate reducing pad in the first chamber and an air stone in the third chamber. I rinse the sponge out near the pump once a week.
My anemone died last week. I really think it's because I keep fighting with the ammonia so much. Last night, it was at .25. I added Kent's Ammonia Pro and tested 30 mins later. It dropped to 0. This morning when I woke up, I tested again. I'm back to .25. I added more Ammonia Pro and do water changes several times a week. Every time I do a water change, I stir the substrate. I feed once a day but make sure I do it only enough to be consumed in 5 mins or less. I've thought about dropping that even more, but the fish look hungry. Last night I got home late and the clown nearly jumped out of the tank when I opened the lid it was so hungry.
I'm tired of fighting this. I'm worried that I didn't let the tank cycle enough. I keep adding Aquafin Cycle (I've read that it's garbage, but I still have it so I'm using it) and bought a powdered bacteria from Petco to add. I added it every day for a week and a half. Still having problems.
What am I doing wrong? If I didn't let it cycle correctly, can I get the bacteria in that the tank needs without everything dying off?
Thanks in advance for any help. I'd really appreciate any advice!
Thanks!!!