You are right that it will move slowly with a small fish load in a large tank. It will give you a chnce to react if all does not go well. The black neons sound like a good one to start with. They are both hardy and small enough to have a minimal impact.
BioSpira?
- Thread starter The Zigman
- Start date
Because I can here's a lesson in the scientific process.
Question: Is the Biospira alive?
Possible answers
1. Yes and in sufficient numbers to accommodate a full tank.
2. No it's dead and you've just bought a lemon.
3. Yes, but not in sufficient numbers for a fully stocked tank.
Now how can we figure out which option it is... by testing it.
The easiest way is to feed the bacteria and see if they eat right?
So add the biospira and then add ammonia, fish flake, shrip, fish, other protein source.
Then test to see if the ammonia has been broken down to nitrate and how long it takes.
1. one to 2 days then it's alive and in sufficient quantities.
2. longer than a week - starting from scratch it's all dead
3. 3-6 days it's alive but not in sufficient quantities for a fully stocked tank.
Now pull out your labcoat and get to work.
Question: Is the Biospira alive?
Possible answers
1. Yes and in sufficient numbers to accommodate a full tank.
2. No it's dead and you've just bought a lemon.
3. Yes, but not in sufficient numbers for a fully stocked tank.
Now how can we figure out which option it is... by testing it.
The easiest way is to feed the bacteria and see if they eat right?
So add the biospira and then add ammonia, fish flake, shrip, fish, other protein source.
Then test to see if the ammonia has been broken down to nitrate and how long it takes.
1. one to 2 days then it's alive and in sufficient quantities.
2. longer than a week - starting from scratch it's all dead
3. 3-6 days it's alive but not in sufficient quantities for a fully stocked tank.
Now pull out your labcoat and get to work.
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OK, so here's the deal...
I have 9 fish n the tank, 8 black neons, and a 5" common pleco.
No levels have changed yet. No ammonia. No titrates, no nitrites..
nothing.
I have 9 fish n the tank, 8 black neons, and a 5" common pleco.
No levels have changed yet. No ammonia. No titrates, no nitrites..
nothing.
After looking at your other thread I see you have quite a few plants in there. Given the small size of the fish and the plants + biospira it is looking very good. 0-0-0 is a very good place to be.
Keep testing your water for the next two weeks to make sure the ammonia and nitrites don't start climbing. If they do, I hope you have a python handy. Otherwise, add a few more fish every week or two
Keep testing your water for the next two weeks to make sure the ammonia and nitrites don't start climbing. If they do, I hope you have a python handy. Otherwise, add a few more fish every week or two
Plants convert ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate into protein in their tissues. So your plants are really enjoying the fertilizer that your fish are putting off. If you didn't have plants the bacteria in the BioSpira would do the break down of urea into ammonia, nitrite and nitrate. Currently your plants appear to be sucking up the nitrogen as fast as your fish produce it.
