Yes, that's when I first set it up, day 1, before adjustments. I've left the substrate alone since then as much as possible.
-
You are viewing the forum as a Guest, please login (you can use your Facebook, Twitter, Google or Microsoft account to login) or register using this link: Log in or Sign Up
Accidental fish in cycle - help please.
- Thread starter LadyDay
- Start date
Yes it is, but the substrate disturbance is likely to account for the increased nitrite levels.
Several weeks later and persisting after water changes? Surely not?
It’s an active substrate so I wouldn’t be at all surprised if it contributes to the problem.
I did disturb the substrate thoroughly on a second occasion, after a few weeks. Small disturbances have happened later, but not big (haven't pulled out plants or anything like that). Either way, I will make sure not to disturb the substrate any further.
I experimented, on the suggestion of @_Maq_ , with adding H2O2 to the tank water that had Nitrite. You can see the results in the journal I started called "Trials and tribulations."
Weirdly, the tank again tested free of Nitrite this early morning (4 AM. I couldn't sleep.), but had at least 0.3 mg/l this noon. The same as the last two days. It seems something is making Nitrite go up during the day, but not during the night. Mystery!
Weirdly, the tank again tested free of Nitrite this early morning (4 AM. I couldn't sleep.), but had at least 0.3 mg/l this noon. The same as the last two days. It seems something is making Nitrite go up during the day, but not during the night. Mystery!
I didn't lose fish with the first aquarium either, but when it happened with this one I'm glad I tested the water.
Where you running Co2 at the time?
Yes
There could be one of the problems....the local fish stores aeration is far higher at the in store tanks!
That would make sense. The Killi behaved normally when they got in, though I didn't check gill movement, but as far as I know they could be hardier than the Kubotai.
How does one best acclimatise new fish to a tank with CO2?
The store uses the same filter as me (they build the filter in my tank and use the same on their own), but CO2 is a big difference.
Firstly what are you colour are you trying to achieve in the Drop Checker?
Somewhere between emerald and lime green. I don't want to go overboard with it, precisely because I don't want to put stress on the fish.
Emerald green is my preference!
If your going to purchase new fish.
Switch off the Co2 the night before and leave the lights off the following day.....have some surface disturbance.
De gas the aquarium basically.
Then acclimatise the fish over a few hours.....switch on lights and observe the fish!
Slowly add the Co2 over a couple of days....best done on no work days so you can moinitor the fishes well being.
If your going to purchase new fish.
Switch off the Co2 the night before and leave the lights off the following day.....have some surface disturbance.
De gas the aquarium basically.
Then acclimatise the fish over a few hours.....switch on lights and observe the fish!
Slowly add the Co2 over a couple of days....best done on no work days so you can moinitor the fishes well being.
Last edited:
Excellent. That will be the approach. And I will aim for Emerald. 🙂
See edited post!
I can do that. Will the plants be hurt by the couple of days with no/less CO2? How about algae as a result of the fluctuation? Neither are more important than the fishes wellbeing of course and it's not like I'll be adding fish all the time anyway, so I'm happy to approach it like this! But also, happy plants, happy tank.
Plants will be okay for a few days!
More plants less algae.....its mostly too much light that causes algae and poor maintenance, in my humble opinion!
More plants less algae.....its mostly too much light that causes algae and poor maintenance, in my humble opinion!
Excellent.
And your humble opinion seems quite competent. Algae is a tricky one, there are so many differing opinions out there! And while I've had an aquarium continuously for more than ten years, it's only been the one tank, and it's a 325 liters (this 80 liter is my first small tank), so I still don't feel particularly experienced.