Cycling with Stability

[camcoding]

Hi, Need a little advice please. 10 gal freshwater tank, Aquaclear 20 with foam and Matrix. 1 Betta, 1 ADF, 1 Cory Cat, 1 Bristlenose pleco and 1 Otto. Have added Stability for 7 days, the tank has been set up for 1 1/2 months. Have been using Prime since 5/15. I don't do water changes because I want the good bacteria to grow. I do vacuum daily and top off with 2 qts of water, no chlorine and no Am, Ate or Ites in the top off water.

Yesterdays readings:
Ph 6.8
Am .5
Ites 2 to 5 (color is about the same for both)
Ates 20
Temp: 84 f

When my tank cycles will my readings go to Zero even if I've added Prime? (Little confused on that, I know Prime binds the bad stuff and I think I read that the bacteria can eat the bound bad stuff).
Your Matrix, Purigen, Prime and Stability are great, I'm a believer and have read many forum posts that extol the effectiveness of these products. Have an API Master Test Kit and am aware that it will not give accurate readings with Prime until 48 hours later, so I don't test until then.

Thanks much, Cam

[Tech Support MS]

Hey Camcoding, thanks for the post!

When the cycle is complete, your ammonia and nitrite will be zero. Using Matrix, your nitrate should also be close to zero but this depends on how effective the Aquaclear is at forcing water though the media. If the water is bypassing the Matrix, it may not remove the nitrates as effectively as the nitrites and ammonia. Nonetheless, you should be able to maintain them in a safe range. Prime should have no effect on these readings whether the tank has cycled or not. You are correct about the bacteria as well, they will still be able to consume these compounds even when bound by Prime.

It looks like you are in pretty good shape and are progressing in the cycle properly. I would not be afraid to do a weekly water change ( maybe 10-20%). This should not have a negative effect on the cycle and will help get the nitrates down a bit.

[camcoding]

Thanks for your advice.
You gave me an idea. I modified the filter so all the water flows from the bottom, through the foam and through the Matrix now. Prior to this some of the water could enter through the side of the filter. Now all the water has to flow through the Matrix.
Nice.
Thanks again. Cam

[Tech Support EH]

Perfect, Cam:)

Have a great day!

[camcoding]

Hi,
My Am is now Zero.
Ites are still 5 or more
and Ates are 40
Using Matrix, Purigen, Stability and Prime. (Have Clarity but in another post you said wait to use that until cycle is complete).
I had added Prime to both tanks on Saturday at 5 pm, that means it was due on Monday at 5 pm. Had to go in the field and didn't get back until 5 am today. All fish still alive and happy.
So I guess there is a slightly longer window with Prime?
Anything I can do to get the ITES eaten up?
Thanks much, the advice you all give is great.
Cam

[Tech Support HK]

Glad to hear all of the fish are happy :)


Prime mostly dissipates within 48 hours. It could have been that not all of the nitrites were in the free form (more harmful form), and unfortunately there is not a test kit on the market that is capable of distinguishing the different forms.

Are you still dosing Stability? You could reduce the amount of food fed, or skip a day of feeding. This will reduce the amount of waste produced, which will allow the aerobic bacteria an easier job at consuming the nitrites.

[camcoding]

Am still adding a small amount of Stability, 1 mg. Began Stability on 6/4.
That's interesting about the Nitrites possibly not being a harmful form.
Vacuum out waste and excess food twice a day.
Thanks for the advice about not feeding, will not feed tonight or tomorrow.
Want to do what ever I can to get those good bacteria eating the nitrites.
Appreciate your advice!

[Tech Support HK]

Sounds good!

[camcoding]

Hi, I'm a little concerned. 2 FW tanks, 10 gal and 30 gal. 10 gal got fish on 4/28, 30 gal 6/4. Both have Matrix in Aquaclear filters. Aquaclear foam then Matrix, water flows through the Matrix 100%. Using Prime on both tanks. Used Stability from 6/5 thru 6/16.
10 gal & 30 gal
PH7.7 PH 30=7.5
Am 0
Ates 5
Ites 2 to 5
These reading have been consistent since 6/26. No Am but Ites off the chart.
The Ates drop with water changes so not worried there.
Is there anything I can do to get the BB to eat the Ites?
(Last recommendation from you was to stop feeding, did that. I vacuum the tanks daily to get poop and uneaten food out of the tanks).
About the Stability, I'm in Phoenix and when I took it out of the mail box the the box was blazing hot, just part of living here in the desert. Possible it got too hot?)
Thanks - Cam

[Tech Support MS]

Hey Cam,

It is possible for Stability to get too hot but pretty unlikely. The species of bacteria we utilize in this product can handle a very extreme range of temperatures and, because we use them in the spore state and not the active state, it would take quite a bit to kill them. Also, it seems as low ammonia readings are a good indicator that the product worked. The low nitrate concentration is also another good indicator. You might double check your nitrite test to ensure that it is working properly. Maybe just test a sample of purified water or some other sample that you can be sure has no nitrites.
I think it would be odd for the nitrates to go down with a water change but not the nitrites. It is possible that your test kit is giving you a false positive.