I have been adding biozyme to my tank to accelerate the cycle. My LFS also gave me some Hikari Tropical Algea Wafers to feed my sand sifting sea star. I was wondering what anyone's opinion on these products are. Also, my tank is near the end of it's cycle and all the sudden I am testing positive for traces of ammonia. Is this okay or normal?
is this okay?
- Thread starter cara
- Start date
I have also seen some strange readings with Biozyme. As I recall, ammonia would spike high, but the nitrite spike was very low. The unusual thing was that I continued to get higher than expected ammonia readings after the nitrite spiked.
What are you using to cycle other than the star? How long has the tank been running?
What are you using to cycle other than the star? How long has the tank been running?
what's in the tank
We also have two percula clowns, two damsels, a blue tang and cleaner shrimp. We didn't do very much research with this tank and just listened to our LFS. Well, after spending many hours reading I realzed what we are doing is crazy. Anyway, the ammonia never got very high. At a different LFS they told us that is why you use the Biozyme. Anway, the nitrites are .50 and the nitrates are between 10 and 20. Our testing kit is also testing different than our new LFS. He gets different levels than we do. I have no idea what is going on with that.
We also have two percula clowns, two damsels, a blue tang and cleaner shrimp. We didn't do very much research with this tank and just listened to our LFS. Well, after spending many hours reading I realzed what we are doing is crazy. Anyway, the ammonia never got very high. At a different LFS they told us that is why you use the Biozyme. Anway, the nitrites are .50 and the nitrates are between 10 and 20. Our testing kit is also testing different than our new LFS. He gets different levels than we do. I have no idea what is going on with that.
Wow. That's a pretty heavy load for a cycle! However, the old rule of thumb used to be that if they survive the ammonia, they'll survive the nitrite. We didn't even used to have nitrite test kits.
The percs and damsels are tough, so I wouldn't worry too much about them. Don't know about the blue tang. I would have thought that the star and shrimp wouldn't have lived, but if everybody has made it this far, I guess I'd be tempted to sit it out. From the numbers, it looks like you're about five weeks into the cycle? If so, you don't have far to go. Water changes might be a good idea.
At least you'll know you have some tough critters when you get through this!
Don't worry about the nitrates. There are a lot of silly numbers floating around recommending various nitrate levels. You'll want to pay some attention to it when things settle down, because your star and shrimp will appreciate it, but do some research first. LOTS of different opinions on this one.
As for test kits, they're a little like hydrometers. I have three hydrometers and they show 1.019, 1.025 and 1.022 on the same sample. Go figure. Most folks are a little challenged by the various color schemes and reference charts used by the test kits. I'm color blind, so I have my wife read them!
Good luck!
The percs and damsels are tough, so I wouldn't worry too much about them. Don't know about the blue tang. I would have thought that the star and shrimp wouldn't have lived, but if everybody has made it this far, I guess I'd be tempted to sit it out. From the numbers, it looks like you're about five weeks into the cycle? If so, you don't have far to go. Water changes might be a good idea.
At least you'll know you have some tough critters when you get through this!
Don't worry about the nitrates. There are a lot of silly numbers floating around recommending various nitrate levels. You'll want to pay some attention to it when things settle down, because your star and shrimp will appreciate it, but do some research first. LOTS of different opinions on this one.
As for test kits, they're a little like hydrometers. I have three hydrometers and they show 1.019, 1.025 and 1.022 on the same sample. Go figure. Most folks are a little challenged by the various color schemes and reference charts used by the test kits. I'm color blind, so I have my wife read them!
Good luck!
Okay, now I am confused
Alright, all of my fish have died within the last 48 hours. :sad The only things I still have in my tank are the star and shrimp. I am almost 6 weeks into this now and my levels are still not showing any signs of evening out. Now that everything is pretty much dead is there anything I can add to finish the cycle off? I know this hobby requires patience but I feel bad for my invertebrates. Should I take them out and add chems? I am using Biozyme right now. My ammonia levels are going up again (b/w .25 & .50). My pH is so low (7.8) and my nitrites are finally coming down. Why is my ammonia spiking again? I also have 30 lbs of live rock and and 40lbs of live sand. :thud:
Alright, all of my fish have died within the last 48 hours. :sad The only things I still have in my tank are the star and shrimp. I am almost 6 weeks into this now and my levels are still not showing any signs of evening out. Now that everything is pretty much dead is there anything I can add to finish the cycle off? I know this hobby requires patience but I feel bad for my invertebrates. Should I take them out and add chems? I am using Biozyme right now. My ammonia levels are going up again (b/w .25 & .50). My pH is so low (7.8) and my nitrites are finally coming down. Why is my ammonia spiking again? I also have 30 lbs of live rock and and 40lbs of live sand. :thud:
Ammonia is going up because there is more bioload then you have bacteria to handle it, so you need time for those to grow. The best thing to do is do alot of water changes to get the ammonia down. If there is nothing eating the ammonia, no nitrite is produced so the readings will go down. And also, never trust the word of your LFS, most are out to make a quick sale since they usually dont care about the long term care of thier stock.
Also dont trust those gimicks like Biozyme or Cycle, since they may not do anything at all, but they might have some benefit, but remember you need 3 types of bacteria in an aquarium, the previously mentioned usually only have 1 type if it works at all.
Also dont trust those gimicks like Biozyme or Cycle, since they may not do anything at all, but they might have some benefit, but remember you need 3 types of bacteria in an aquarium, the previously mentioned usually only have 1 type if it works at all.