Ammonia Test / Substrate Question

M

mlefessler

AC Members
Mar 4, 2008
205
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Rochester, NY
First of all, here are my water parameters;
55-Gallon tank
Ammonia / Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 0 (just finished a 25% water change today)
pH: 7.8
Temp: 78-80F
Specific Gravity: 1.008-1.010
Inhabitants: 2 green spotted puffers (~1.5" and ~2")
Filters: One Penguin Bio-Wheel 330 and an AquaClear 30-gallon filter (I am currently running the AquaClear filter since it's from an established tank and will leave it running for approximately 3 weeks. Once 3 weeks is up, I have another 55-gallon filter that will replace the 30-gallon.)
Puffers are both very very active, their fluorescent patches are a bright green, gleaming white bellies, swimming and eating as normal.

Attached is a picture of my most recent ammonia water test.
All the while it tested at zero, what is that gunky, coagulation at the top? At first, I thought it was just bubbles from shaking the test solution, but I've never seen that before in my life. Has this happened to anyone else before?

Also - I currently have gravel for a substrate. I've read many benefits of having aragonite sand (buffering the pH, beneficial bacteria, etc.). Is there a way to replace the gravel with sand with a water change? Or would I have to consider doing a complete tear-down and re-setup?

Considering that I have a 55-gallon tank with measurements of 4' x 14" x 18", what is the appropriate amount of sand to get in order to cover the base, with a 1/2" to 1" depth?

DSC_0022.JPG DSC_0029.JPG
 
If I were you I would just change the substrate out during a water change, however you need to be aware that it may make your water cloudy for a few days while everything settles out. 1/2" should be fine, dont make it too deep!

PufferPunk brings up a good point. Is this a freshwater, saltwater, or a master test kit? You can use a freshwater test kit on everything but ammonia, the ammonia test must be performed with a saltwater test kit or your readings will be incorrect!!!

I would venture to make an uneducated guess on the stuff at the top of the tube. At that sg a protein skimmer would work, so it is possible that by shaking the tube and putting air bubbles in the water may almost be like the air bubbles in the protein skimmer. The organics in the water have floated to the top with the bubbles. This is sorta like when the waves crash against the beach and that foamy bubble stuff collects along the water line. So maybe its orgaincs in that water that have not been converted yet, phosphates....
 
I use the API SW Test Kit.

Brackeeper75 - Ahhh, phosphates. That actually makes a lot of sense. I'm assuming that a protien skimmer would do best to remove such an organic?
 
Yeah, I am not sure that that is actualy what it is but if you think about it... makes sense maybe??
Espicially with the puffers being suck messy little kids!
I use a skimmer and it does wonders!
 
One more question for ya: hehe - I love picking your brain!

To clean an aragonite sand.....how does one accomplish such a task?
 
I personally stir the sand about an hour before I am going to do the water change. Everything become water born and will settle on the top layer of sand or get sucked into the filter. I then carefully use a gravel vac held about 1/2 to 1 inch above the sand. (close enough to suck the poo, but not close enough to get the sand). Once you do it it becomes easy. Just don't suck the sand up... Also if you notice an area that is getting a large build up of gunk, I would get a power head put it in that area, and it will keep the gunk in the water column long enough for the filter to get it, just position it so it doesn't stir the sand. Make sense?
 
Ahhh, indeed. That's very doable. And the stirring of the sand will not disturb the fish inhabiting the tank at the time?

Also, as you can see from the picture in the first post - the tank is decorated on the heavy side, but my puffers are STILL cruising the glass? How can that not be enough? I really don't think I can add anymore.............can I?
 
I usually also pull most of the decoration out when stirring and vaccuuming. I wouldn't worry much about the fish when stirring or when putting new substrate in. Make sure you rinse the new substrae well and as long as you vaccuum stirring will not be an issue as you are going to be doing a water change soon anyways.

How long have you had the puffers?
 
I've had these guys for about a month. Before, they resided in a 20-gallon tank. I got my hands on a 55-gallon - where they reside now. They've been inhabiting this 55-gallon for about a week now. Is it possible they don't fancy the new environment?

Just the cruising of the glass and moments of "Oh geez, I can't find them. I don't see them!" - just to find them BOTH in the back bottom corner, their spots fading to virtually nothing. No stress lines, though. It's making me extremely worried.
 
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