Water Conditions A Mess Still....plz Help

S

syryjac2

AC Members
Jun 19, 2006
72
0
0
Hey everyone :D


I'm still fighting my nitrites and ammonia, but the nitrites are horrible!! I'm still doing daily water changes and vacuuming. There has to be an underlying problem that I can't figure out. There's nothing dead in the tank, I keep making sure of that. I just tested and they are out of this world. My ammonia is at .50 (that's actually alot better than it has been), but my nitrites are at 2. My sister suggested stress zyme and I've even tried that. No luck..................ANY AND ALL SUGGESTIONS WELCOME !!!!!!!! Just to remind everyone I have 3 platys, a swordtail, a cory cat, a pleco, 2 silver dollars, 3 frogs , several ghost shrimp and 5 (rescued black skirt tetras from my sister). HELP...................
 
You might want to ease up on the vacuuming until the cycle is established. The gravel holds a large percentage of the beneficial bacteria. Being too clean can slow down their growth in the beginning (just as it can cause a minicycle if you clean an established tank too thoroughly in one sitting.)

Don't vacuum or clean filter media or ornaments at all until the cycle is established. And only clean no more than half the stuff in the tank at one time afterward.

But always do water changes!
 
Oh My Gosh!!!!!!!!!! I have probably drawn this out way longer than it had to be. I'm so stupid............. I can't believe I didn't think of that. I just ordered some Amquel Plus online. I hope that will help also. Thank you so much!!!!
 
Vacuuming the gravel will not remove the bacteria.
 
No, but aggressive cleaning while cycling can slow the process down as the substrates the bacteria are growing on are repeatedly disturbed. No need to muck about there if it's not necessary while things are first getting started.

While the OP did not say it, I would not be surprised if they were cleaning the filter media daily, too, which would do more damage than gravel vacuuming.

I'm just advising that they stick to water changes only and leave the substrates be for a bit, since this problem has been on going and the daily cleaning is the only thing that seems unusual.
 
Well, if you say so. But if that was the case, fluidized bed filters would never establish a bacteria colony. I don't think he has a bio load to require the daily vac as long as he is not over feeding, just needs to keep on the water changes.
 
Thanks Guys again for all your help. I always appreciate everyone's input. I am really dumbfounded by this whole process to be honest. It's been almost 3 months now I think. The fish all seem so very healthy and active. I'm just so afraid that can change so quickly and I don't want that to happen. I will definately keep up the water changes without a doubt as it seems to be helping the ammonia go down. :D
 
I forgot to ask what do you think about the amquel plus? Have either of you used it?? I ordered it from Petsmart, hopefully I'll have it this week. Any other suggestions are welcomed. I was going to order Biospira, but if I understood what it said It's not really for tanks that already have the problem as it will take a while to work. Thanks again in advance.......
 
Haven't used the Amquel. When I needed to, I used Prime or other dechlor. My son uses Prime without any known issues. I have a private well without any additives (still test it monthly and once a year have the water company do a test for $12)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom