So I just bought Bacteria

[goatnad]

I have the Api master test kit . It shows 0 . Should I add bacteria. I change the water a week ago and I got the tank 2/3 months .

OK sorry but that did not answer my question. When you set the tank up months ago or however long ago were you testing and watching the water for changes in ammonia, nitrite and nitrates to see if beneficial bacteria were actually building up and doing their job of converting things?

 

[goatnad]

Have you ever changed the filter pads, or media, or washed off the filter media in plain tap water? If so, it would kill off beneficial bacteria and cause your cycle to begin again.

This is also a great question that needs to be answered.

 

[King Fisher]

0's across the board means daily water testing. It can go from 0 to high real quick because it isn't cycled and stable. You're in a fish in cycle situation. Every other day PWC's and water testing is your best bet. If something spikes plan to do several water changes to bring it down quickly. I think that beneficial bacteria in a bottle couldn't hurt to try at this point.

Like others have asked, what exactly (step by step) are you doing when you change out your water and clean the tank?

 

[Kingfish]

OK sorry but that did not answer my question. When you set the tank up months ago or however long ago were you testing and watching the water for changes in ammonia, nitrite and nitrates to see if beneficial bacteria were actually building up and doing their job of converting things?

No I didnt watch I only mostly test it when the fish is looking kinda off

 

[Kingfish]

0's across the board means daily water testing. It can go from 0 to high real quick because it isn't cycled and stable. You're in a fish in cycle situation. Every other day PWC's and water testing is your best bet. If something spikes plan to do several water changes to bring it down quickly. I think that beneficial bacteria in a bottle couldn't hurt to try at this point.

Like others have asked, what exactly (step by step) are you doing when you change out your water and clean the tank?

The way I do my water is I use a hose to pump the water from the tank out about 10/15% . I add new water using tap water in . 1 monthly water change 3monthly filter change . My filter is the fx4 it could do 250G . When my arowana was acting off I add driftwood I make sure the driftwood has no bacteria by boiling it for 20/25 minute . The fish was looking better . After a week she was acting very very weird very!!!!! So I bought a buffer that could drop the ph to 6.5. In the bottle it was one cap for 40g so mine is 100g . I did one cap coz I think that’s enough . The day after the arowana was looking way better more active . Somehow in 1/2 weeks the arowana was off and I don’t want to add any buffer coz I’m sure my arowana doesn’t need it . Test the water and the ammonia/ nitrites/ nitrate was all 0 . Went to the store . My fish guy first said didn’t u test the water didn’t u change the water didn’t u add more bacteria in . I said No I just only change the water a week ago and just testing the water ph7.2 the 3 others were 0 . So he given me some bacteria. He said one cap every 10g I only put 4 2 days ago 1 yesterday morning . I don’t know how my fish is looking coz I’m not in the city .

 

[Kingfish]

OK sorry but that did not answer my question. When you set the tank up months ago or however long ago were you testing and watching the water for changes in ammonia, nitrite and nitrates to see if beneficial bacteria were actually building up and doing their job of converting things?

The first time I test the water is 2 days ago ph7.2 The 3 other were 0 . But I just added some bacteria it’s one cap every 10 g so I did 5 caps . I have a 100 g ........ this is the second time the arowana was kinda off . First time I put drift wood and a buffer 6.5ph . I save the fish . The arowana was happy . Second time he was happy . I chang ether water and a week after he wasn’t . So I test the water same result.

 

[King Fisher]

The way I do my water is I use a hose to pump the water from the tank out about 10/15% . I add new water using tap water in . 1 monthly water change 3monthly filter change . My filter is the fx4 it could do 250G . When my arowana was acting off I add driftwood I make sure the driftwood has no bacteria by boiling it for 20/25 minute . The fish was looking better . After a week she was acting very very weird very!!!!! So I bought a buffer that could drop the ph to 6.5. In the bottle it was one cap for 40g so mine is 100g . I did one cap coz I think that’s enough . The day after the arowana was looking way better more active . Somehow in 1/2 weeks the arowana was off and I don’t want to add any buffer coz I’m sure my arowana doesn’t need it . Test the water and the ammonia/ nitrites/ nitrate was all 0 . Went to the store . My fish guy first said didn’t u test the water didn’t u change the water didn’t u add more bacteria in . I said No I just only change the water a week ago and just testing the water ph7.2 the 3 others were 0 . So he given me some bacteria. He said one cap every 10g I only put 4 2 days ago 1 yesterday morning . I don’t know how my fish is looking coz I’m not in the city .

Do you use dechlorinator with the tap water you add?

I wouldn't use a pH buffer. The swings in pH from them can do more damage than good. Your fish will adapt to pH.

 

[Brookster123]

Buffering is tricky. Creates swings unless you do it flawlessly. Not to repeat myself.. well.. yah... wayyy more water changes. 10% monthly is pointless. 50% weekly at the very least. Use quality water treatment. I like prime but there are other good products out there. Change more water though and change more water too.

 

[Kingfish]

No I don’t. I just use tap water and conditioner

 

[Kingfish]

Buffering is tricky. Creates swings unless you do it flawlessly. Not to repeat myself.. well.. yah... wayyy more water changes. 10% monthly is pointless. 50% weekly at the very least. Use quality water treatment. I like prime but there are other good products out there. Change more water though and change more water too.

But for sure I should add bacteria ?

 

[Kingfish]

Buffering is tricky. Creates swings unless you do it flawlessly. Not to repeat myself.. well.. yah... wayyy more water changes. 10% monthly is pointless. 50% weekly at the very least. Use quality water treatment. I like prime but there are other good products out there. Change more water though and change more water too.

I don’t have a lot of fishes so I think 50% is to much maybe I’ll do 20/25% next month

 

[Kingfish]

Do you use dechlorinator with the tap water you add?

I wouldn't use a pH buffer. The swings in pH from them can do more damage than good. Your fish will adapt to pH.

Just tap water and conditioner and buffer one cap ever 40 g mine is 100g but I only do one cap . Should I add bacteria

 

[goatnad]

I don’t have a lot of fishes so I think 50% is to much maybe I’ll do 20/25% next month

If you don't take his spot on advice on 50% weekly water changes then your fish are probably going to die. You also need to start using a dechlorinator when you do water changes or the chlorine/chloramine that is in your water are going to continue to kill your beneficial bacteria and possibly your fish and your tank will never cycle. I'm thinking toxic levels of ammonia and chlorine are contributing greatly to your fish acting strange. I feel at this point it just might be best if you returned all of your fish to the store and began reading up on how to properly keep a tank. Or start taking the advice that people are giving you. They are giving you this info out of experience. After reading over some of your other threads you have rejected very sound advice many times. It also seems you are under the impression that all you need to do is use this bacteria.

 

[Brookster123]

I don’t have a lot of fishes so I think 50% is to much maybe I’ll do 20/25% next month

Do whatever you want. They're your fish in your tank. My fish are doing spectacular by the way.. I bang out 150 gallons a week.. I break a sweat too. Keeping some fish is not for everyone. You came into a fish advice forum asking for advice. I threw in mine. Take it or leave it. I know one thing... that arowana ain't settling for anything less than weekly wcs. Shoot... I'd be doing 50% 3 times a week.

 

[King Fisher]

If you don't take his spot on advice on 50% weekly water changes then your fish are probably going to die. You also need to start using a dechlorinator when you do water changes or the chlorine/chloramine that is in your water are going to continue to kill your beneficial bacteria and possibly your fish and your tank will never cycle. I'm thinking toxic levels of ammonia and chlorine are contributing greatly to your fish acting strange. I feel at this point it just might be best if you returned all of your fish to the store and began reading up on how to properly keep a tank. Or start taking the advice that people are giving you. They are giving you this info out of experience. After reading over some of your other threads you have rejected very sound advice many times. It also seems you are under the impression that all you need to do is use this bacteria.

To add to this, even if you use bacteria it will die if you have chlorine and chloramines in the water. Your fish will die too as goat stated. I'm not sure if you, Kingfish, are confused about water conditioner and dechlorinator.

 

[Leeatl]

I agree 100% with what goatnad,King Fisher , and Brookster123 have said in the last 3 posts on EVERY point they made .

 

[Kingfish]

If you don't take his spot on advice on 50% weekly water changes then your fish are probably going to die. You also need to start using a dechlorinator when you do water changes or the chlorine/chloramine that is in your water are going to continue to kill your beneficial bacteria and possibly your fish and your tank will never cycle. I'm thinking toxic levels of ammonia and chlorine are contributing greatly to your fish acting strange. I feel at this point it just might be best if you returned all of your fish to the store and began reading up on how to properly keep a tank. Or start taking the advice that people are giving you. They are giving you this info out of experience. After reading over some of your other threads you have rejected very sound advice many times. It also seems you are under the impression that all you need to do is use this bacteria.

It’s ok now the bacteria works .

 

[Kingfish]

Do whatever you want. They're your fish in your tank. My fish are doing spectacular by the way.. I bang out 150 gallons a week.. I break a sweat too. Keeping some fish is not for everyone. You came into a fish advice forum asking for advice. I threw in mine. Take it or leave it. I know one thing... that arowana ain't settling for anything less than weekly wcs. Shoot... I'd be doing 50% 3 times a week.

The arowana is better now when I put the bacteria in . Plus I only have 3/4 fishes in the tank

 

[Kingfish]

If you don't take his spot on advice on 50% weekly water changes then your fish are probably going to die. You also need to start using a dechlorinator when you do water changes or the chlorine/chloramine that is in your water are going to continue to kill your beneficial bacteria and possibly your fish and your tank will never cycle. I'm thinking toxic levels of ammonia and chlorine are contributing greatly to your fish acting strange. I feel at this point it just might be best if you returned all of your fish to the store and began reading up on how to properly keep a tank. Or start taking the advice that people are giving you. They are giving you this info out of experience. After reading over some of your other threads you have rejected very sound advice many times. It also seems you are under the impression that all you need to do is use this bacteria.

I only have 3/4 fishes in the tank . Ammonia isn’t 0 it’s about 0.4 ish but the nitrates and nitrite is 0

 

[Kingfish]

Do whatever you want. They're your fish in your tank. My fish are doing spectacular by the way.. I bang out 150 gallons a week.. I break a sweat too. Keeping some fish is not for everyone. You came into a fish advice forum asking for advice. I threw in mine. Take it or leave it. I know one thing... that arowana ain't settling for anything less than weekly wcs. Shoot... I'd be doing 50% 3 times a week.

The bacteria helps . Used to be 0 ammonia now it’s like 0.4 ish