LyndaB
Aquarium Advice Addict
Maybe she's rinsing off the mop in your tank.....
LyndaB said:Maybe she's rinsing off the mop in your tank.....
librarygirl said:Something is definitely off here.
I'd be safe and clean out everything in the tank (just don't rinse the filter media off in tap water or it'll kill any bacteria you might have on there, and keep it wet while you're cleaning everything else).
A while back Eco mentioned products like R/O Rite, which basicaly adds minerals to your water. The products are mostly used by saltwater aquarists who use stripped R/O (reverse osmosis) water in their tanks. After the issue I had with my tank (Eco mentioned it earlier) I switched to spring water and my tank cycled very fast. Now, I'm back to tap water but I add R/O Rite with water changes just in case my water is lacking some minerals. You might give it a try since we've looked at everything else (I'd also drain and strip the tank too and wash everything just to be safe). Does your tank have a hood/lid?
also considering an angelsplus active filter but kinda grossed out by the possibility of snails hatching off the thing...
I know the AngelsPlus people are very good at what they do and I'm pretty sure they keep their snails separate from their fish tanks. Either way I've gotten 2 seeded filters from them and have never had an issue with snails or other parasites. Others on here have used them too. I'd say go for it. Just make sure it says "active" next to the one you buy or else you're just buying a plain un-seeded filter.
Spring water is a pain to use for water changes, trust me. If you can avoid it, I would. I'd try the R/O Rite with your tap water and the seeded filter and see if anything changes.
Ponch said:just placed order for KEnt's R/O right and plain filter media. did a 90% pwc yesterday too. Will keep tabs on this and let all know. IF there is no drop in ammo (currently at 0.5ppm)by the time the RO right arrives i will do a full drain/rinse and start afresh.
Shane83 said:You should be using a bio booster, and there is no need to order when there are a number of quality products at your lfs. Unfortunately it seems there is a mentality amongst 'some' here that these are harmful and it is based on very anecdotal research they are trying to tout as science. Seachem stability can help to speed up your tank cycling process immensely and has been used safely by many aquarists for many years.
eco23 said:I'm not gonna get into it here...but "anecdotal research" is not remotely close to a correct statement.
To put it simply...FW home aquaria and a "cycled" tank contains two types of nitrifying bacteria, Nitrosomonas and Nitrospira (formally thought to be Nitrobacter). Seachem Stability (and virtually all other brands with the exception of a few) contains neither of those strains of bacteria. If you read the peer reviewed, cited articles in the thread I linked to you previously...by Seachem's own admission it does not contain those forms of beneficial bacteria. The articles I linked also show how Stability works by basically battling toxins while the true nitrifiers establish themselves (while in direct competition with the heterotrophs).
I don't necessarily have issues with bacteria supplements...but at the very least use a brand like Dr. Tim's O & O, or Tetra SafeStart which contain Nitrosomonas and Nitrospira. Even better, use an AngelsPlus sponge filter which comes from an established aquarium with heavy portions of the correct BB.
It should be difficult for you to dispute our cited, referenced and researched "science" without providing any opposing evidence to the contrary.
Here's a simple statement which shows how there are flaws in Stability (thanks to another member for pointing this out to me)...Seachem Stability is supposedly usable in both SW and FW aquaria...even the most novice of hobbyists who have any degree of knowledge regarding the nitrogen cycle in aquariums know there are entirely different types of beneficial bacteria in freshwater vs marine systems. So how are their bottled bacterias able to handle every aspect? Either they don't, or Seachem is in line for a Nobel Prize (which I haven't seen them nominated for).
Don't get me wrong, I love Seachem and wish I could support Stability. I use Prime, Matrix, Flourish, their Root Tabs and Excel...if Stability lined up in a way that it truly established a natural, stable bio-filter, I'd happily advise it to everyone. But it doesn't (again, by their own admission and explanation...read the articles in the thread).
This is the last I'll say on this topic on this thread...everything has been said and sited before in countless other threads. However, I simply ask that if you want to dispute the information / articles / science / facts that I and others have provided...please provide any evidence to the contrary other than just saying "it's been used safetly".
Hey all - whats the best dosage of R/O rite for supplementing my tap water in a 5 gallon tank? Seems like the dosages vary from 1-4 tsp based on type of fish in the tank but since I have none - am fishless cycling - wondering what's the recommended amount? I'm thinking 4 but would love to get some advice. Thanks.
UPDATE - 7 days since tank drain/do-over
i *THINK* its working!
Kept the same filter media from my previous attempt at fishless cycling (which included some lfs seed gravel) but pretty much started over with all else.
10/23
- 18 drops ammonia (5gallon tank)
- 2-3 ppm amo
- 0 nitrates
- 7.6 ph
10/25
- 3 ppm amo
- no test nitrates
- 7.6 ph
10/27
- 3 ppm amo
- 0 nitrates
- no test ph
10/30
- 2 ppm amo!!!
- no test nitrates
- 7.6 ph
I actually got a 2ppm reading on 10/29 as well but being skeptical didn't believe it until I saw it two days in a row. I think it may be starting to happen for me.
Also I decided not to use the Kent's RO rite when I started over even though I have a full bottle - decision mostly based on hypothesis that I actually did accidentally contaminate my tank last time. Thought is I can always add if a couple weeks go by with no further progress ... But really want to know if the added step of adding this stuff with all future water changes is really necessary.
There is usually a lag bw time ammo starts dropping and time nitrites start showing up, right?
Thanks all - will keep you posted!
librarygirl said:Yes, there's usually a lag-time between ammonia dropping and nitrites showing. Are you testing nitrite or just nitrate? I didn't see the nitrite results in your tests above. Ammonia is dropping so that's a good thing. Good luck!