So I've had a 29G setup for the past year that was somewhat well maintained (nitrates were usually little hight at 35-40, all other readings were normal (ammonia/nitrites at 0, ph at 7.5 or so)) and two occupants. When it was decided that they had outgrown their current living quarters a new 55G was put into motion.
The 29G utilized a Whisper power filter with a floss cage (the kind that you're supposed to put carbon into, but I rarely did) and a sponge. I installed the 55G with an AC Powerhead that had a DIY filter floss attached for about seven hours till the dust settled, and then the new XP3 was set in motion with the sponge from the Whisper filter. After two hours, one occupant was introduced and monitored for the next two hours. Temps were steady at 82 and no abnormal behavior exhibited. 24 hours later, after the second fish has been introduced and comfortably swimming about for about ten hours, my readings are a little strange...
Ammonia/Nitrite/Nitrates are all reading as 0 (or as close as the API test kit gets to 0) and I'm a little concerned.
Still with me? Good, I've got a bit more information on how the 55G is set up. The XP3 has, in order from bottom to top, 2x 20PPI, 1x Whisper sponge (from the 29G), 1x 30PPI, 2 levels of Bio Chem Stars, 1 pack of Bio-Chem Zorb, and 1 level of the Micro Fill.
The two fish (been with me for about 7 years this month) are not acting strangely beyond a slight confusion with their new quarters. Should I be worried? Was the sponge (and about ten gallons of water) from the 29G not enough to jump start the 55G?
And since this is my first post, I'll introduce myself. My name is Drew, my wife of two years is Shannon, and we couldn't live without Smooches and Mr. Mister.
The 29G utilized a Whisper power filter with a floss cage (the kind that you're supposed to put carbon into, but I rarely did) and a sponge. I installed the 55G with an AC Powerhead that had a DIY filter floss attached for about seven hours till the dust settled, and then the new XP3 was set in motion with the sponge from the Whisper filter. After two hours, one occupant was introduced and monitored for the next two hours. Temps were steady at 82 and no abnormal behavior exhibited. 24 hours later, after the second fish has been introduced and comfortably swimming about for about ten hours, my readings are a little strange...
Ammonia/Nitrite/Nitrates are all reading as 0 (or as close as the API test kit gets to 0) and I'm a little concerned.
Still with me? Good, I've got a bit more information on how the 55G is set up. The XP3 has, in order from bottom to top, 2x 20PPI, 1x Whisper sponge (from the 29G), 1x 30PPI, 2 levels of Bio Chem Stars, 1 pack of Bio-Chem Zorb, and 1 level of the Micro Fill.
The two fish (been with me for about 7 years this month) are not acting strangely beyond a slight confusion with their new quarters. Should I be worried? Was the sponge (and about ten gallons of water) from the 29G not enough to jump start the 55G?
And since this is my first post, I'll introduce myself. My name is Drew, my wife of two years is Shannon, and we couldn't live without Smooches and Mr. Mister.
