Nihilist
05-30-2009, 01:57
Hello,
I have a 120-gallon tank running two Rena xp3 filters with fish in the tank. I have both gravel and ornaments in the tank. I have both biostars and bioballs media. Unfortunately prior to adding fish I had no previous knowledge of the "cycling process" and purchased quite a few fish for my community tank. In all I have about 50/60 fish (over 60% small community fish like zebra danios, platies, mollies) with a few larger ones (4 Angels/2 gourammies /2 tin foil barbs and one rescue Pacu (which will be moving to a larger tank just for him). All fish are well and healthy however the challenge becomes keeping them that way during the cycling.
Tank has been up and gong for about two weeks. I’m testing twice a day while doing water changes (2x) of 20%-40%. Current testing results (API freshwater test) are:
Temp kept at 78-80 degrees
PH 7.0
Ammonia seen a low of .5 to a high of 2
N02 .5
No3 between 5 and 10
Yesterday was my first time using Prime (was using Amquel but it was lowering PH too much) and today began using Stability in hopes to get the cycling process along quicker. I am experiencing a bacteria bloom, as the water is cloudy every 8-12 hours, when noticed I test and change water accordingly. Feedings are 2x a day, little waste of food.
My questions are as follows:
By changing out the water am I prolonging the cycling and if so what’s are my options here?
Should I let the Stability run its course (since the prime is protecting the fish-considering the readings are detoxified)?
When levels are high I use a 3x dose of prime, is this correct?
All fish are swimming well however i have had a 3 losses (platies-which i believe to the rapid ph change) however I have noticed that some are swimming toward the top though not much labored breathing (plenty of water movement with the filters and aeration) would this be ammonia poisoning even though I am using the prime?
And finally what am i doing wrong and should be doing...other than removing fish as that’s simply not an option?
I have a 120-gallon tank running two Rena xp3 filters with fish in the tank. I have both gravel and ornaments in the tank. I have both biostars and bioballs media. Unfortunately prior to adding fish I had no previous knowledge of the "cycling process" and purchased quite a few fish for my community tank. In all I have about 50/60 fish (over 60% small community fish like zebra danios, platies, mollies) with a few larger ones (4 Angels/2 gourammies /2 tin foil barbs and one rescue Pacu (which will be moving to a larger tank just for him). All fish are well and healthy however the challenge becomes keeping them that way during the cycling.
Tank has been up and gong for about two weeks. I’m testing twice a day while doing water changes (2x) of 20%-40%. Current testing results (API freshwater test) are:
Temp kept at 78-80 degrees
PH 7.0
Ammonia seen a low of .5 to a high of 2
N02 .5
No3 between 5 and 10
Yesterday was my first time using Prime (was using Amquel but it was lowering PH too much) and today began using Stability in hopes to get the cycling process along quicker. I am experiencing a bacteria bloom, as the water is cloudy every 8-12 hours, when noticed I test and change water accordingly. Feedings are 2x a day, little waste of food.
My questions are as follows:
By changing out the water am I prolonging the cycling and if so what’s are my options here?
Should I let the Stability run its course (since the prime is protecting the fish-considering the readings are detoxified)?
When levels are high I use a 3x dose of prime, is this correct?
All fish are swimming well however i have had a 3 losses (platies-which i believe to the rapid ph change) however I have noticed that some are swimming toward the top though not much labored breathing (plenty of water movement with the filters and aeration) would this be ammonia poisoning even though I am using the prime?
And finally what am i doing wrong and should be doing...other than removing fish as that’s simply not an option?