I thought I did everything right??

[Connie]

I have wrote here several times over the last few weeks... and I was taking
all the advice I could get, but something is wrong...

First question. does lighting affect the biological filter? Here is why.

I have a 29 gal tank, with gravel substrate, heater, HOB Aqua clear filter.
I did a fishless cycle, where I went thought the whole process, and ended up
with 5 ppm of nitrates, 0 each of ammonia, and nitrite.

Then I added fish. Last time I did the fishless cycle, I was able to add a
tank full of fish at once (I added enough ammonia to build a large bio
filter). I figured I could do it again. Well, after adding 4 tiger barbs, 2
mollies, a pleco, an upside down cat, and a black ghost... I had a mini
spike of 0.25 to as high as 1 ppm of ammonia. I managed that with water
changes. It seemed to be getting better, even had nitrites which means my
bio filter was growing. Well, a few days ago, my ammonia spiked to 8 ppm,
and I have 0 nitrites and nitrates. I have not changed anything, except
leaving my light off more often because of the ghost liking the dark. I have
lost all of my fish (even though 2 were sick, and I think 2 died from the
stress of all the water changes), except for the pleco, the cat, and
amazingly the ghost.

I am going to add alot of plants, but unfortunately the only place I can get
them from is petsmart, and last time they all died, and I even had
anacharis, which are hard to kill. I have no idea why they died. I am also
going to beg my LFS for some filter media from theirs. I hate to do that
cause of diseases, but I am at the end of my rope. It took 6 weeks for the
fishless cycle, and I have been dealing with this now for about 2-3 weeks. I
want this cycling to be done without losing my remaining fish. And now it
seems I am starting all over.

I am using ammo lock to keep the ammonia from killing my fish. I am worried
about when the nitrites spike... how do I keep that from being toxic to my
fish? Could my filter be crap? Thanks for any help.

[Gill Passman]

"Connie" > wrote in message
...
> I have wrote here several times over the last few weeks... and I was
taking
> all the advice I could get, but something is wrong...
>
> First question. does lighting affect the biological filter? Here is why.
>
> I have a 29 gal tank, with gravel substrate, heater, HOB Aqua clear
filter.
> I did a fishless cycle, where I went thought the whole process, and ended
up
> with 5 ppm of nitrates, 0 each of ammonia, and nitrite.
>
> Then I added fish. Last time I did the fishless cycle, I was able to add a
> tank full of fish at once (I added enough ammonia to build a large bio
> filter). I figured I could do it again. Well, after adding 4 tiger barbs,
2
> mollies, a pleco, an upside down cat, and a black ghost... I had a mini
> spike of 0.25 to as high as 1 ppm of ammonia. I managed that with water
> changes. It seemed to be getting better, even had nitrites which means my
> bio filter was growing. Well, a few days ago, my ammonia spiked to 8 ppm,
> and I have 0 nitrites and nitrates. I have not changed anything, except
> leaving my light off more often because of the ghost liking the dark. I
have
> lost all of my fish (even though 2 were sick, and I think 2 died from the
> stress of all the water changes), except for the pleco, the cat, and
> amazingly the ghost.
>
> I am going to add alot of plants, but unfortunately the only place I can
get
> them from is petsmart, and last time they all died, and I even had
> anacharis, which are hard to kill. I have no idea why they died. I am also
> going to beg my LFS for some filter media from theirs. I hate to do that
> cause of diseases, but I am at the end of my rope. It took 6 weeks for the
> fishless cycle, and I have been dealing with this now for about 2-3 weeks.
I
> want this cycling to be done without losing my remaining fish. And now it
> seems I am starting all over.
>
> I am using ammo lock to keep the ammonia from killing my fish. I am
worried
> about when the nitrites spike... how do I keep that from being toxic to my
> fish? Could my filter be crap? Thanks for any help.
>
>
Hi,
Your tank is still cycling...the addition of the fish caused the
spikes....your best bet is to keep on with the water changes to reduce the
nitrites....leave the filter alone...it will grow the bacteria to cope with
this....mature filter medium will also help. I tried this route of fishless
cycling but ended up having to put mature filter medium in to save the
fish - worked wonders :-) nothing better (IME)

Gill

[Connie]

> Hi,
> Your tank is still cycling...the addition of the fish caused the
> spikes....your best bet is to keep on with the water changes to reduce the
> nitrites....leave the filter alone...it will grow the bacteria to cope
> with
> this....mature filter medium will also help. I tried this route of
> fishless
> cycling but ended up having to put mature filter medium in to save the
> fish - worked wonders :-) nothing better (IME)
>
> Gill

I understand it is still cycling, but what I don't understand is after
having nitrates for several weeks, why they have fallen to 0 again, and now
instead of a mini spike cause of the fish, I have begun the process all over
again... I did have nitrates, but now they are at 0??

[Daniel Morrow]

"Connie" > wrote in message
...
> I have wrote here several times over the last few weeks... and I was
taking
> all the advice I could get, but something is wrong...
>
> First question. does lighting affect the biological filter? Here is why.
>
> I have a 29 gal tank, with gravel substrate, heater, HOB Aqua clear
filter.
> I did a fishless cycle, where I went thought the whole process, and ended
up
> with 5 ppm of nitrates, 0 each of ammonia, and nitrite.
>
> Then I added fish. Last time I did the fishless cycle, I was able to add a
> tank full of fish at once (I added enough ammonia to build a large bio
> filter). I figured I could do it again. Well, after adding 4 tiger barbs,
2
> mollies, a pleco, an upside down cat, and a black ghost... I had a mini
> spike of 0.25 to as high as 1 ppm of ammonia. I managed that with water
> changes. It seemed to be getting better, even had nitrites which means my
> bio filter was growing. Well, a few days ago, my ammonia spiked to 8 ppm,
> and I have 0 nitrites and nitrates. I have not changed anything, except
> leaving my light off more often because of the ghost liking the dark. I
have
> lost all of my fish (even though 2 were sick, and I think 2 died from the
> stress of all the water changes), except for the pleco, the cat, and
> amazingly the ghost.
>
> I am going to add alot of plants, but unfortunately the only place I can
get
> them from is petsmart, and last time they all died, and I even had
> anacharis, which are hard to kill. I have no idea why they died. I am also

I know what you mean by plants in general. So far the only plants that
survive and grow for me is java fern and amazon sword (doesn't grow as much
as the java fern, or reproduce yet and I have had it for over a year). The
others turn brown and die (anachris grows weakly then turns brown and dies
here). I talked with a girl on the bus and she says pretty much the same
thing - it must be the local water here and there doesn't seem to be
anything we can do about it yet. Good luck and later!

[NetMax]

"Connie" > wrote in message
...
>> Hi,
>> Your tank is still cycling...the addition of the fish caused the
>> spikes....your best bet is to keep on with the water changes to reduce
>> the
>> nitrites....leave the filter alone...it will grow the bacteria to cope
>> with
>> this....mature filter medium will also help. I tried this route of
>> fishless
>> cycling but ended up having to put mature filter medium in to save
>> the
>> fish - worked wonders :-) nothing better (IME)
>>
>> Gill
>
> I understand it is still cycling, but what I don't understand is after
> having nitrates for several weeks, why they have fallen to 0 again, and
> now instead of a mini spike cause of the fish, I have begun the process
> all over again... I did have nitrates, but now they are at 0??


There is insufficient info to comment in details, but it would appear
that your ammonia load when fishless cycling was too low (yielding only
5ppm NO3), and whatever bacterial culture developed was wiped out
(medications?). I don't think light is a significant factor. The UV
component in light will negatively affect the bacteria when it's in the
water column, but I don't think aquarium lamps have a significant amount
of UV and these nitrifying bacteria attach themselves to surfaces, and
are only infrequently in the water column (when expanded or having been
significantly disturbed).
--
www.NetMax.tk

[Ali Day]

> I know what you mean by plants in general. So far the only plants that
> survive and grow for me is java fern and amazon sword (doesn't grow as
> much
> as the java fern, or reproduce yet and I have had it for over a year). The
> others turn brown and die (anachris grows weakly then turns brown and dies
> here). I talked with a girl on the bus and she says pretty much the same
> thing - it must be the local water here and there doesn't seem to be
> anything we can do about it yet. Good luck and later!

I thought the same, plants, good healthy tank, CO2 injection, what could go
wrong. But they still wouldn't survive. Now I fertilise the plants I have
fantastic growth, I'd assumed they'd get all the nutrients from the water
changes and fish waste, but not at all.
Only thing I will say is if you start fertilising build it up slowly, as
you'll get algae all over the place, and it took three months to get rid of
it.

[lgb]

In article >,
says...
> I am going to add alot of plants, but unfortunately the only place I can get
> them from is petsmart, and last time they all died, and I even had
> anacharis, which are hard to kill.
>
There a a lot of online plant suppliers. They carry a much wider
selection than local stores, and their prices are usually much cheaper.
Delivery costs are pretty high, but if you're populating an entire
aquarium at once, total costs still wind up lower.

I can't remember the name of the one I like, but they're in Tea SD. If
you live on the east coast, there are at least one or two in FLorida.

PS: My plants all arrived in good shape and are thriving.

--
BNSF = Build Now, Seep Forever

[Elaine T]

Connie wrote:
> I have wrote here several times over the last few weeks... and I was taking
> all the advice I could get, but something is wrong...
>
> First question. does lighting affect the biological filter? Here is why.
>
> I have a 29 gal tank, with gravel substrate, heater, HOB Aqua clear filter.
> I did a fishless cycle, where I went thought the whole process, and ended up
> with 5 ppm of nitrates, 0 each of ammonia, and nitrite.
>
> Then I added fish. Last time I did the fishless cycle, I was able to add a
> tank full of fish at once (I added enough ammonia to build a large bio
> filter). I figured I could do it again. Well, after adding 4 tiger barbs, 2
> mollies, a pleco, an upside down cat, and a black ghost... I had a mini
> spike of 0.25 to as high as 1 ppm of ammonia. I managed that with water
> changes. It seemed to be getting better, even had nitrites which means my
> bio filter was growing. Well, a few days ago, my ammonia spiked to 8 ppm,
> and I have 0 nitrites and nitrates. I have not changed anything, except
> leaving my light off more often because of the ghost liking the dark. I have
> lost all of my fish (even though 2 were sick, and I think 2 died from the
> stress of all the water changes), except for the pleco, the cat, and
> amazingly the ghost.
>
> I am going to add alot of plants, but unfortunately the only place I can get
> them from is petsmart, and last time they all died, and I even had
> anacharis, which are hard to kill. I have no idea why they died. I am also
> going to beg my LFS for some filter media from theirs. I hate to do that
> cause of diseases, but I am at the end of my rope. It took 6 weeks for the
> fishless cycle, and I have been dealing with this now for about 2-3 weeks. I
> want this cycling to be done without losing my remaining fish. And now it
> seems I am starting all over.
>
> I am using ammo lock to keep the ammonia from killing my fish. I am worried
> about when the nitrites spike... how do I keep that from being toxic to my
> fish? Could my filter be crap? Thanks for any help.
>
>
Hang in there. Rather than media form LFS, I'd try BioSpira to add
bacteria. As others have said, keep changing water. Also, salt lessens
nitrite toxicity, so add 1 tsp salt/5 gallons of water. Use pickling or
aquarium salt to avoid toxic anti-caking agents.

As for plants, typical Perfecto and All-Glass striplights are nowhere
near enough light. I bet you have one 20" standard fluorescent bulb
over your tank. My first tank was a 29 gallon and I couldn't grow
anything until I got a twin tube stip light. Adding a third bulb and
CO2 gave me my first "jungle tank."

--
Elaine T __
http://eethomp.com/fish.html <'__><
rec.aquaria.* FAQ http://faq.thekrib.com

[Connie]

"Elaine T" > wrote in message
. com...
> Connie wrote:
>> I have wrote here several times over the last few weeks... and I was
>> taking all the advice I could get, but something is wrong...
>>
>> First question. does lighting affect the biological filter? Here is why.
>>
>> I have a 29 gal tank, with gravel substrate, heater, HOB Aqua clear
>> filter. I did a fishless cycle, where I went thought the whole process,
>> and ended up with 5 ppm of nitrates, 0 each of ammonia, and nitrite.
>>
>> Then I added fish. Last time I did the fishless cycle, I was able to add
>> a tank full of fish at once (I added enough ammonia to build a large bio
>> filter). I figured I could do it again. Well, after adding 4 tiger barbs,
>> 2 mollies, a pleco, an upside down cat, and a black ghost... I had a mini
>> spike of 0.25 to as high as 1 ppm of ammonia. I managed that with water
>> changes. It seemed to be getting better, even had nitrites which means my
>> bio filter was growing. Well, a few days ago, my ammonia spiked to 8 ppm,
>> and I have 0 nitrites and nitrates. I have not changed anything, except
>> leaving my light off more often because of the ghost liking the dark. I
>> have lost all of my fish (even though 2 were sick, and I think 2 died
>> from the stress of all the water changes), except for the pleco, the cat,
>> and amazingly the ghost.
>>
>> I am going to add alot of plants, but unfortunately the only place I can
>> get them from is petsmart, and last time they all died, and I even had
>> anacharis, which are hard to kill. I have no idea why they died. I am
>> also going to beg my LFS for some filter media from theirs. I hate to do
>> that cause of diseases, but I am at the end of my rope. It took 6 weeks
>> for the fishless cycle, and I have been dealing with this now for about
>> 2-3 weeks. I want this cycling to be done without losing my remaining
>> fish. And now it seems I am starting all over.
>>
>> I am using ammo lock to keep the ammonia from killing my fish. I am
>> worried about when the nitrites spike... how do I keep that from being
>> toxic to my fish? Could my filter be crap? Thanks for any help.
> Hang in there. Rather than media form LFS, I'd try BioSpira to add
> bacteria. As others have said, keep changing water. Also, salt lessens
> nitrite toxicity, so add 1 tsp salt/5 gallons of water. Use pickling or
> aquarium salt to avoid toxic anti-caking agents.
>
> As for plants, typical Perfecto and All-Glass striplights are nowhere near
> enough light. I bet you have one 20" standard fluorescent bulb over your
> tank. My first tank was a 29 gallon and I couldn't grow anything until I
> got a twin tube stip light. Adding a third bulb and CO2 gave me my first
> "jungle tank."
>
> --
> Elaine T __
> http://eethomp.com/fish.html <'__><
> rec.aquaria.* FAQ http://faq.thekrib.com

Thanks Elaine, I do have a twin tube light strip, it is 55 watts... but it
is also 5 years old - and just out of storage, so I know it is useless. I do
have a CO2 injector, but removed it cause I was afraid it was contributing
to my fish deaths.

Is the salt okay for the black ghost. I have him, a pleco, and a usd cat
left.

[Elaine T]

Connie wrote:
> "Elaine T" > wrote in message
> . com...
>
>>Connie wrote:
>>
>>>I have wrote here several times over the last few weeks... and I was
>>>taking all the advice I could get, but something is wrong...
>>>
>>>First question. does lighting affect the biological filter? Here is why.
>>>
>>>I have a 29 gal tank, with gravel substrate, heater, HOB Aqua clear
>>>filter. I did a fishless cycle, where I went thought the whole process,
>>>and ended up with 5 ppm of nitrates, 0 each of ammonia, and nitrite.
>>>
>>>Then I added fish. Last time I did the fishless cycle, I was able to add
>>>a tank full of fish at once (I added enough ammonia to build a large bio
>>>filter). I figured I could do it again. Well, after adding 4 tiger barbs,
>>>2 mollies, a pleco, an upside down cat, and a black ghost... I had a mini
>>>spike of 0.25 to as high as 1 ppm of ammonia. I managed that with water
>>>changes. It seemed to be getting better, even had nitrites which means my
>>>bio filter was growing. Well, a few days ago, my ammonia spiked to 8 ppm,
>>>and I have 0 nitrites and nitrates. I have not changed anything, except
>>>leaving my light off more often because of the ghost liking the dark. I
>>>have lost all of my fish (even though 2 were sick, and I think 2 died
>>>from the stress of all the water changes), except for the pleco, the cat,
>>>and amazingly the ghost.
>>>
>>>I am going to add alot of plants, but unfortunately the only place I can
>>>get them from is petsmart, and last time they all died, and I even had
>>>anacharis, which are hard to kill. I have no idea why they died. I am
>>>also going to beg my LFS for some filter media from theirs. I hate to do
>>>that cause of diseases, but I am at the end of my rope. It took 6 weeks
>>>for the fishless cycle, and I have been dealing with this now for about
>>>2-3 weeks. I want this cycling to be done without losing my remaining
>>>fish. And now it seems I am starting all over.
>>>
>>>I am using ammo lock to keep the ammonia from killing my fish. I am
>>>worried about when the nitrites spike... how do I keep that from being
>>>toxic to my fish? Could my filter be crap? Thanks for any help.
>>
>>Hang in there. Rather than media form LFS, I'd try BioSpira to add
>>bacteria. As others have said, keep changing water. Also, salt lessens
>>nitrite toxicity, so add 1 tsp salt/5 gallons of water. Use pickling or
>>aquarium salt to avoid toxic anti-caking agents.
>>
>>As for plants, typical Perfecto and All-Glass striplights are nowhere near
>>enough light. I bet you have one 20" standard fluorescent bulb over your
>>tank. My first tank was a 29 gallon and I couldn't grow anything until I
>>got a twin tube stip light. Adding a third bulb and CO2 gave me my first
>>"jungle tank."
>>
>>--
>>Elaine T __
>>http://eethomp.com/fish.html <'__><
>>rec.aquaria.* FAQ http://faq.thekrib.com
>
>
> Thanks Elaine, I do have a twin tube light strip, it is 55 watts... but it
> is also 5 years old - and just out of storage, so I know it is useless. I do
> have a CO2 injector, but removed it cause I was afraid it was contributing
> to my fish deaths.
>
> Is the salt okay for the black ghost. I have him, a pleco, and a usd cat
> left.
>
>
Salt isn't ideal for soft water fish, but it's a good antidote for
nitrite, which is far worse. One tsp/5 gallons is quite low and I've
never had a problem adding that to any tank.

Anacharis is actually rather easy to kill, so don't get discouraged. It
usually requres more light than you have, and there's also a cold water
species that doesn't grow at tropical temps.

With 55 watts and fresh bulbs (change them every 6 months for the best
light output), you should be able to grow low to mid-light plants like
Hygrophila polysperma, Java moss, Java fern, Anubias, Cryptocorynes, and
maybe an Amazon sword or Rotala indica. Fertilize with something good
like Flourish and see what happens without worrying about CO2 right
away. If you didn't use Flourite or laterite in the substrate, put iron
tablets at your swordplant and Cryptocorne roots.

Anubias are great - slow growing but almost impossible to kill. Tie
them on bogwood to root there for a nice effect. Java fern also likes
to root on wood. Cryptocorynes may "melt" and lose their leaves when
you put them in the tank but leave them alone and they'll come back
strong and beautiful.

--
Elaine T __
http://eethomp.com/fish.html <'__><
rec.aquaria.* FAQ http://faq.thekrib.com