Purigen during Cycling process

[Skyrod74]

Hello,

My tap water is naturally cloudy and has some phosphates, cloramides, and ammonia. I started my new tank about 6 weeks ago it was cloudy from day 1 and is STILL cloudy today, almost milky!

I'm not sure if the cloudiness is a result of my tap water or just my tank still going through the cycling process. So, I picked up a bottle of Purigen at my LFS and added it to my HOB filiter. I using a Aquaclear 50 - Foam, Carbon, Purigen.

I've also been using Stability to help with the cycling since my test numbers have NOT changed. I'm also using Prime in conjuntion with 20% water changes for the past two weeks.

My water numbers really haven't changed much at all. The ammonia level rises and falls but that's about it. Right now,

Ammonia - .25
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - 0
pH - very low 5.8 to 6.0 (been adding pH correct tabs) The bacteria will not grow if the pH is too low. Is this correct??

I currently have 10 small tettras in a 36 gallon bow front tank.

I don't know what is wrong with my tank or what else to do!!! I'm so frustrated and ready to give up!

My primary concern now is, will the Purigen prevent my tank from fully cycling??

Any help is greatly appreciated!

Rod Colson
West Chester, PA

[Tech Support AN]

I'm sorry to hear about your tank! It sounds as if you have a bacterial bloom. What type of biological media are you using? I would recommend using our Matrix, along with the Stability, as they work hand in hand with one another. The Matrix provides an enormous amount of internal and external surface area in order for the bacteria in Stability to colonize and proliferate. If you would like to read more about Matrix, please follow the link below:

http://www.seachem.com/Products/product_pages/Matrix.html

When you put the Matrix into your filter, I would then recommend using the Stability daily for 7 days per the instructions on the label. This will ensure proper establishment of bacterial colonies. You can even pour the Stability directly onto the Matrix for quicker colonization. Be sure that you place the Matrix in an area where it will receive maximum water flow. I would hold off on the Purigen until your tank has fully cycled. However, once it has finished cycling, then the Purigen will be a great chemical filtration media to put into your filter. It is an organic scavenging resin that only goes after nitrogenous organic waste, removing the pre-cursors to ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate. It will also polish your water to unparalleled clarity. I hope this helps and please don't give up!

[Skyrod74]

Hi Tech Support,

Thank you for the very helpful response.

My water values still have not changed and my tank remains cloudy.

I'm using Two AquaClear 50 power filters with the supplied media. I have since removed the Purigen as you suggested. Currently in my flilters I only have foam, carbon, and the biomax resin. Not sure if the AquaClear biomax resin is actually doing anything to promote the bacteria. My LFS does not have Matrix and will have to order it.

However, if I start using the matrix now, will that only yet again delay the process and prolong the bacterial bloom? Just a thought....

Thanks again, I love your products and Service!!

[Tech Support AN]

My recommendation would be to get the Matrix and the day you put it in your filter, do a fairly large water change. After the water change, add the Stability according to the volume of your tank. I would then add the Stability daily for the seven days per the instructions on the label. The bacteria should be able to quickly find a suitable home on the Matrix and begin to proliferate rapidly. If the cloudiness remains, you could also try using a water clarifier such as our Clarity. It clears any type of clouding in any environment. If you decide to use Clarity, please be sure that you use a fine mechanical filtration such as filter floss or pillow stuffing. Place this in your filter and depending on how cloudy your water is, you will have to change the floss out every couple of hours, as it will get saturated. If you would like to read more about Clarity follow the below link:

http://www.seachem.com/Products/product_pages/Clarity.html

I hope this helps! :-)

[Skyrod74]

Sounds like a good plan!

I'm going try and find some Matrix and see what happens along with the Stability.

Thanks again, you guys are great!!

Rod

[Tech Support LK]

You are welcome!