Starting Back Up Again...Questions About Using Seachem Stability

Here's something I wanted to ask you with regard to the filters, Loach -- I had asked Seachem for their opinion on replacing my Aqueon HOB with another AquaClear (the 70 model to complement the 110 that's already on there), and it got me thinking about the Aqueon's underwater pump design. While this allows the filter to self-prime, it does, from what I understand, dissipate heat under the water, and since I'm keeping goldfish, wouldn't this be a bad thing? As you know, they don't prefer warmer water like the tropicals do...

I was thinking of maybe replacing the Aqueon with a Seachem Tidal, but those have the pumps under the water, too....

Is this something to be concerned about?
 
If the Stability works (though slowly...) I guess a 0.50 reading could count as a spike.
You have 2 HOB's on there? I can't imagine them not having enough media volume for bacteria for just 2 small goldfish. I am not a fan of HOB's certainly not with fancy goldfish as you need volume not flow for them, but about all of those filters have the same design, the amount of heat a filter produces in a tank would be so small you would not be able to measure it. Maybe if the tank had the volume of a beer glass, but even then it would still be negligible.
 
the loach said:
If the Stability works (though slowly...) I guess a 0.50 reading could count as a spike.
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I see. At any rate, I'll run more tests later and report back. Thanks for your ongoing assistance here.

You have 2 HOB's on there? I can't imagine them not having enough media volume for bacteria for just 2 small goldfish.
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Yes -- two HOBs on either side. An Aqueon QuietFlow LED PRO 75, good for 400 gallons per hour of turnover, and an AquaClear 110, good for 500 gallons per hour of turnover. Indeed, there is plenty of media volume for bacteria, even if the tank was fully stocked, but the issue is the cartridges that come with the Aqueon, as they seem to be getting gunked up quickly. In the past, I simply dunked and rinsed these floss carts in removed tank water, like I did with the AquaClear sponge, but I'm not sure that's working this time...

Here's what the inside of these filters look like:

1594675729374.png1594675759660.png


I am not a fan of HOB's certainly not with fancy goldfish as you need volume not flow for them, but about all of those filters have the same design, the amount of heat a filter produces in a tank would be so small you would not be able to measure it. Maybe if the tank had the volume of a beer glass, but even then it would still be negligible.
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Thanks for the confirmation regarding the heat.
 
Here are the latest readings, just taken (SIXTH day of new Stability treatment; 7/13):

Ammonia: 0.25-0.50 ppm
Nitrite: STILL 0 ppm
Nitrate: STILL dark yellow color

Should I do a five-gallon water change just to manage that ammonia?
 
Okay Loach -- final day of the new Stability treatment; here are the numbers:

Ammonia: 0.25
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 0

I know these numbers sound totally nutty at this point in a cycle -- and we STILL have the cloudy bacterial bloom -- but that's what they're apparently reading...

Do you recommend I just ease off on the Stability at this point? I mean, don't do ANOTHER seven days, right?
 
No, if the product is effective it should be apparent, no need for an extension beyond their instructions. Do they by any chance say there are denitrifying bacteria in there? Have you tested a treated bucket of water for ammonia, does that give 0 or 0.25?
 
the loach said:
No, if the product is effective it should be apparent, no need for an extension beyond their instructions. Do they by any chance say there are denitrifying bacteria in there? Have you tested a treated bucket of water for ammonia, does that give 0 or 0.25?
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I only asked about the Stability because we did a SECOND week of it now...

I didn't get around to testing the tap water; I'll do that as soon as I can. When you say "treated," you mean dechlorinated with a conditioner?

As for the Stability, here's what the bottle says:

1594841108563.png
 
Today's (7/15) tests indicated:

Ammonia: 0.25 - 0.50 ppm
Nitrite: 0 ppm
Nitrate: 0 - 5.0 (STILL that dark yellow color)
 
Try testing your tap water to see what the reading is for ammonia and post the results.

T the loach was suggesting to fill your fish bucket with tap water, add the appropriate amount of water conditioner/dechlorinator and then test that water for ammonia.
 
dudley said:
Try testing your tap water to see what the reading is for ammonia and post the results.

T the loach was suggesting to fill your fish bucket with tap water, add the appropriate amount of water conditioner/dechlorinator and then test that water for ammonia.
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I'll do that, thanks Dudley.

At this point, I don't think the bacterial bloom should be still present -- we've had cloudy water now for well over a week.
 
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