Advice on newly setup Tank

[funkymonk1984]

Hi guys,

So I’ve just set up a new tank. I added ADA power sand, Amazonia v2 and some powder soil along with hardscape.

I connected up the filter and added stability every day for 7 days and it’s been running for 3 weeks with no light or CO2 running.

Today I drained 90% of the water and planted it all and refilled adding prime, stability and flourish excel. Lights and co2 are now programmed although max light power is set to 70% ramping up and down over 7 hour period.

My question is when to move over my shrimp/fish from old aquarium? I’ve done tests and Nitrite/Ammonia are reading 0 but Nitrate is high at approx 100ppm.

I’m going to let the plants establish for another 2 weeks and do more tests in those weeks but wondered people’s thoughts?

 

[hypnogogia]

I’ve done tests and Nitrite/Ammonia are reading 0 but Nitrate is high at approx 100ppm.

Not sure I’d trust these measurements.

 

[G mac]

Do you trust your test kit?

the scape looks great 👍

 

[MichaelJ]

I’ve done tests and Nitrite/Ammonia are reading 0 but Nitrate is high at approx 100ppm.

If I understand this correctly, you said you just changed 90% of the water and measure 100 ppm (!) of Nitrate (NO3) ? That sounds way off...

What sort of level do you see straight out of the tap / water source ? and what test kit are you using?

Yes, nice scape!


Cheers,
Michael

 

[Superpuma1]

Something isn’t right there, it’s a new setup, how can you have nitrate so high?
Unless you have high nitrate in your tap water……
You surely have a dodgy test set or high nitrate in your tap water, which is to me unlikely.

 

[funkymonk1984]

If I understand this correctly, you said you just changed 90% of the water and measure 100 ppm (!) of Nitrate (NO3) ? That sounds way off...

What sort of level do you see straight out of the tap / water source ? and what test kit are you using?

Yes, nice scape!


Cheers,
Michael

If I understand this correctly, you said you just changed 90% of the water and measure 100 ppm (!) of Nitrate (NO3) ? That sounds way off...

What sort of level do you see straight out of the tap / water source ? and what test kit are you using?

Yes, nice scape!


Cheers,
Michael

API Master Freshwatet Test Kit… I agree those levels seem off. I’m going to let things settle anyway and I want plants to root in and get some growth. I did the dark start method to avoid massive amounts of water changes but I’ll prob do 2x 50% over these 2 weeks to be sure.

 

[funkymonk1984]

If I understand this correctly, you said you just changed 90% of the water and measure 100 ppm (!) of Nitrate (NO3) ? That sounds way off...

What sort of level do you see straight out of the tap / water source ? and what test kit are you using?

Yes, nice scape!


Cheers,
Michael

I’ll also test my Tap water as it’s a new house but same area so although hard water should be ok

 

[Bradders]

API Master Freshwatet Test Kit… I agree those levels seem off.

Just to add my input, I have had two API Master Test kits and noticed that the Nitrate tests are the first to 'go off' and give very high readings - and this was in an established tank where the math did not make sense.

Two seperate test kits (one was NTLabs and cannot remember another one) all showed a more sesnsible level taking into account my averate tap water content and ferts etc.

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,

My question is when to move over my shrimp/fish from old aquarium?

You still need to <"let it grow in">, personally I'd suggest at least another month, but that maybe too cautious*.

If I understand this correctly, you said you just changed 90% of the water and measure 100 ppm (!) of Nitrate (NO3) ? That sounds way off...

I'm pretty sure it isn't right.

I have had two API Master Test kits and noticed that the Nitrate tests are the first to 'go off' and give very high readings

This why I prefer plant growth as a <"measure of the nutrient content">, simply put the <"plants can't lie">.

*"Too long" is never as issue, "not long enough" has potentially fatal consequences.

cheers Darrel

 

[funkymonk1984]

5 days in and nothings melting yet. Doing 50-60% water changes regularly despite doing a dark start method first. I’m going to give the plants a full 2 weeks growth to root in and settle before testing properly and changing water change schedule. If tests are good I’ll add amano shrimp and ottos. I can then move over the rest a week or 2 after. No signs of algae, some of the wood fur appearing again after an initial toothbrush scrub and removal. One bit of wood has broken from its glue points annoyingly but is staying down. I’ll prob do a 90% change before livestock goes in and try to get it stuck down properly again. Will be adding some more plants next week as well to fill some gaps and to add more details. All in all going well so far. Will start fertilisers next week and put lights up 10% at peak period.

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,

I’ll add amano shrimp and ottos

I wouldn't add any Otocinclus <"https://www.planetcatfish.com/common/species.php?species_id=105"> yet, they are <"sensitive little beasts"> and they really need a biologically mature tank.

....... I wouldn't recommend putting them in a tank that is yet to mature. Otocinclus are delicate little fish and need a well established tank before they will thrive, even then it might not be enough to keep them healthy as they are generally imported in a poor state of health,......

What @John q says.

If tests are good

It is entirely up to you, but have a look at <"Nano Tank (ish)">. The thing is it maybe fine, it is just <"down to probability"> the reason I like "plant, and wait until grown in" is has very little probability of failure.

cheers Darrel