Impatient Cycling a 90G tank

[Kodiak]

I am on the 5th week of cycling a 90G tank with one 9" Comet in it. .
Ammonia levels are finally down, but the nitrites and nitrates are
very high, almost impossible to control, I doing 30% to 50% water changes
and siphoning the gravel every day for the last three days. Before that i
was
doing it 3-4 times a week to keep Ammonia down.
I used Biozyme, and Cycle products a couple of weeks ago,
i don't think it did didely $%^#^@&(*
I am gonna lose it very soon if I have to keep doing this day in day out.
I don't understand why the Nitrates are also very high, could the fish be
polluting
the water really bad becasue he is suffering in the high Nitrite levels? I
noticed
more poop even though I am feeding him much less these days.

Is the end near?
How much damage is being done to my fish? (Ammonia burns gills, what does
Nitrite do?)
Are Nitrite spikes generally harder on the fish than Ammonia spikes?
There is alot of green **** in the filter, that stuff is supposed to be grey
or black
when it fully cycles right?

PH 6.5
Ammonia <0.1mg/L
Nitrite approx 1.6mg/L
Nitrate approx 75mg/L
water temp is generally high 70's low 80's.

Should i be checking other water parameters?
thank you in advance... ..Kodiak.

[Donald Kerns]

Kodiak wrote:

> I don't understand why the Nitrates are also very high

Some NO3 kits false positive when there is NO2 in the water.

-D
--
"There is nothing so strong as gentleness, and there is nothing so
gentle as real strength." St. Francis de Sales

[Geezer From The Freezer]

Got to agree with Poe (although I would cycle anyway).

[[email protected]]

if you dont get the ammonia and nitrites down to barely detectable it kills the
biobugs. I have had to do 100% water changes with flow thru (water in one side of
the tank, out the other) to bring nitrite levels down. feed every other day and
then very lightly. feed very little and high quality food cause all that high carb
food does is just in and out and rots in the filter fouling the tank.
I DO think your pH is too low for the biobugs (if that is what is coming out of the
tap!!) if pH out of tap is that low, get some dolomitic limestone and add a pinch of
baking soda until the pH gets up to 7.0. If you got nitrates that high, they gotta
come down or get a new test kit. it means the tank cycled and then uncycled for some
reason. nitrite in sufficient quantity will drop the pH and kill the biobugs.
stuff some more polyester batting in your filter.
try Bio Spira, one of things that actually work ...but keep the ammonia/nitrites
levels down to first level on test kit in the safe range.
your temp is good. biobugs like it warm.
add 1 teaspoon salt per 5 gallons, no additives, dissolve first, add slowly. this
will help protect the fish. use polyaqua to sooth the gills.
Ingrid

"Kodiak" > wrote:

>I am on the 5th week of cycling a 90G tank with one 9" Comet in it. .
>Ammonia levels are finally down, but the nitrites and nitrates are
>very high, almost impossible to control, I doing 30% to 50% water changes
>and siphoning the gravel every day for the last three days. Before that i
>was
>doing it 3-4 times a week to keep Ammonia down.
>I used Biozyme, and Cycle products a couple of weeks ago,
>i don't think it did didely $%^#^@&(*
>I am gonna lose it very soon if I have to keep doing this day in day out.
>I don't understand why the Nitrates are also very high, could the fish be
>polluting
>the water really bad becasue he is suffering in the high Nitrite levels? I
>noticed
>more poop even though I am feeding him much less these days.
>
>Is the end near?
>How much damage is being done to my fish? (Ammonia burns gills, what does
>Nitrite do?)
>Are Nitrite spikes generally harder on the fish than Ammonia spikes?
>There is alot of green **** in the filter, that stuff is supposed to be grey
>or black
>when it fully cycles right?
>
>PH 6.5
>Ammonia <0.1mg/L
>Nitrite approx 1.6mg/L
>Nitrate approx 75mg/L
>water temp is generally high 70's low 80's.
>
>Should i be checking other water parameters?
>thank you in advance... ..Kodiak.
>
>



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
List Manager: Puregold Goldfish List
http://puregold.aquaria.net/
www.drsolo.com
Solve the problem, dont waste energy finding who's to blame
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Unfortunately, I receive no money, gifts, discounts or other
compensation for all the damn work I do, nor for any of the
endorsements or recommendations I make.

[Tom La Bron]

Kodiak,

Place the roots of philodendrons in your tank. The Pathos (another name for
the plant) do well in low light and keep nitrates at zero in your tank, at
least they do for me.

Tom L.L.
------------------
"Kodiak" > wrote in message
.. .
> 90G=90Gallons
> I did not know plants take Ammonia directly, I wish I could plant,
> I planted Hornwort, Java fern, Kabomba, and some other plants,
> My fish rips them all apart in just a few days.
>
> I do like Donalds idea that the test kit for NO3 flases positive when NO2
> present.
>
> ...S
>
>
> "Poe Lim" > wrote in message
> . au...
> > Others will not agree, but you need plants in that tank (BTW, how big is
> > that tank?). The plants take up the ammonia directly, as well as the
> > nitrate. If you plant heavily enough before you add fish, you will find
> that
> > you don't have to cycle the tank at all, and N will be 0 (which is also
a
> > problem).
> >
> > Cheers,
> > Poe
> >
> > "Kodiak" > wrote in message
> > .. .
> >
> > > PH 6.5
> > > Ammonia <0.1mg/L
> > > Nitrite approx 1.6mg/L
> > > Nitrate approx 75mg/L
> >
> >
>
>

[Tom La Bron]

Kodiak,

While your at it add a couple of more airstones to your 90 gallon and put as
much air through them as you can. If you don't have any put at least four
in your tank. The finer the bubbles the better. This should help your
cycling. My tanks cycle in two to three weeks. Also, bring your pH up, the
biobugs establish themselves better at higher pH, somewhere between 7.6 and
8.2 . While you are at it get your KH at around 120ppm. If there are not
any carbonates for the biobugs to use you will never cycle your tank.

HTH

Tom L.L.
===========
"Kodiak" > wrote in message
.. .
> I am on the 5th week of cycling a 90G tank with one 9" Comet in it. .
> Ammonia levels are finally down, but the nitrites and nitrates are
> very high, almost impossible to control, I doing 30% to 50% water changes
> and siphoning the gravel every day for the last three days. Before that i
> was
> doing it 3-4 times a week to keep Ammonia down.
> I used Biozyme, and Cycle products a couple of weeks ago,
> i don't think it did didely $%^#^@&(*
> I am gonna lose it very soon if I have to keep doing this day in day out.
> I don't understand why the Nitrates are also very high, could the fish be
> polluting
> the water really bad becasue he is suffering in the high Nitrite levels? I
> noticed
> more poop even though I am feeding him much less these days.
>
> Is the end near?
> How much damage is being done to my fish? (Ammonia burns gills, what does
> Nitrite do?)
> Are Nitrite spikes generally harder on the fish than Ammonia spikes?
> There is alot of green **** in the filter, that stuff is supposed to be
grey
> or black
> when it fully cycles right?
>
> PH 6.5
> Ammonia <0.1mg/L
> Nitrite approx 1.6mg/L
> Nitrate approx 75mg/L
> water temp is generally high 70's low 80's.
>
> Should i be checking other water parameters?
> thank you in advance... ..Kodiak.
>
>
>

[Kodiak]

What is KH, is that a water hardness test? Is it related to calcium
carbonate?
Thanks in advance..
....Kodiak


"Tom La Bron" > wrote in message
...
> Kodiak,
>
> While your at it add a couple of more airstones to your 90 gallon and put
as
> much air through them as you can. If you don't have any put at least four
> in your tank. The finer the bubbles the better. This should help your
> cycling. My tanks cycle in two to three weeks. Also, bring your pH up,
the
> biobugs establish themselves better at higher pH, somewhere between 7.6
and
> 8.2 . While you are at it get your KH at around 120ppm. If there are not
> any carbonates for the biobugs to use you will never cycle your tank.
>
> HTH
>
> Tom L.L.
> ===========
> "Kodiak" > wrote in message
> .. .
> > I am on the 5th week of cycling a 90G tank with one 9" Comet in it. .
> > Ammonia levels are finally down, but the nitrites and nitrates are
> > very high, almost impossible to control, I doing 30% to 50% water
changes
> > and siphoning the gravel every day for the last three days. Before that
i
> > was
> > doing it 3-4 times a week to keep Ammonia down.
> > I used Biozyme, and Cycle products a couple of weeks ago,
> > i don't think it did didely $%^#^@&(*
> > I am gonna lose it very soon if I have to keep doing this day in day
out.
> > I don't understand why the Nitrates are also very high, could the fish
be
> > polluting
> > the water really bad becasue he is suffering in the high Nitrite levels?
I
> > noticed
> > more poop even though I am feeding him much less these days.
> >
> > Is the end near?
> > How much damage is being done to my fish? (Ammonia burns gills, what
does
> > Nitrite do?)
> > Are Nitrite spikes generally harder on the fish than Ammonia spikes?
> > There is alot of green **** in the filter, that stuff is supposed to be
> grey
> > or black
> > when it fully cycles right?
> >
> > PH 6.5
> > Ammonia <0.1mg/L
> > Nitrite approx 1.6mg/L
> > Nitrate approx 75mg/L
> > water temp is generally high 70's low 80's.
> >
> > Should i be checking other water parameters?
> > thank you in advance... ..Kodiak.
> >
> >
> >
>
>

[Tom La Bron]

Kodiak,

KH is the "carbonate hardness" in your system. It is telling you the amount
of carbonates in the water in ppm or degrees. The KH helps stabilize your
pH and is intricate to the biobugs diet to do their job. If the carbonates
are low they can't convert the ammonia to nitrites and nitrites to nitrates.
A good carbonate hardness is in the range of 100 to 200 ppm. 80ppm is low.

GH is general hardness of your water and is a measure of the calcium and
magnesium in the water. The harder the water the more calcium and magnesium
in the water. A typical water softener replaces the calcium with sodium
making the water "softer."

HTH

Tom L.L.
"Kodiak" > wrote in message
.. .
> What is KH, is that a water hardness test? Is it related to calcium
> carbonate?
> Thanks in advance..
> ...Kodiak
>
>
> "Tom La Bron" > wrote in message
> ...
> > Kodiak,
> >
> > While your at it add a couple of more airstones to your 90 gallon and
put
> as
> > much air through them as you can. If you don't have any put at least
four
> > in your tank. The finer the bubbles the better. This should help your
> > cycling. My tanks cycle in two to three weeks. Also, bring your pH up,
> the
> > biobugs establish themselves better at higher pH, somewhere between 7.6
> and
> > 8.2 . While you are at it get your KH at around 120ppm. If there are
not
> > any carbonates for the biobugs to use you will never cycle your tank.
> >
> > HTH
> >
> > Tom L.L.
> > ===========
> > "Kodiak" > wrote in message
> > .. .
> > > I am on the 5th week of cycling a 90G tank with one 9" Comet in it. .
> > > Ammonia levels are finally down, but the nitrites and nitrates are
> > > very high, almost impossible to control, I doing 30% to 50% water
> changes
> > > and siphoning the gravel every day for the last three days. Before
that
> i
> > > was
> > > doing it 3-4 times a week to keep Ammonia down.
> > > I used Biozyme, and Cycle products a couple of weeks ago,
> > > i don't think it did didely $%^#^@&(*
> > > I am gonna lose it very soon if I have to keep doing this day in day
> out.
> > > I don't understand why the Nitrates are also very high, could the fish
> be
> > > polluting
> > > the water really bad becasue he is suffering in the high Nitrite
levels?
> I
> > > noticed
> > > more poop even though I am feeding him much less these days.
> > >
> > > Is the end near?
> > > How much damage is being done to my fish? (Ammonia burns gills, what
> does
> > > Nitrite do?)
> > > Are Nitrite spikes generally harder on the fish than Ammonia spikes?
> > > There is alot of green **** in the filter, that stuff is supposed to
be
> > grey
> > > or black
> > > when it fully cycles right?
> > >
> > > PH 6.5
> > > Ammonia <0.1mg/L
> > > Nitrite approx 1.6mg/L
> > > Nitrate approx 75mg/L
> > > water temp is generally high 70's low 80's.
> > >
> > > Should i be checking other water parameters?
> > > thank you in advance... ..Kodiak.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>

[Kodiak]

Thanks for GH and KH definitions Tom.
You mention to soften GH you replace Calcium with Sodium
to make the water softer. How does that relate to soft water being
generally termed as Acidic (low PH)?

If GH goes down will PH go down too?
If you add Salt (Sodium Chloride as opposed to just Sodium) to water
does that tend to reduce the PH level to something more Acidic?

....Kodiak


"Tom La Bron" > wrote in message
...
> Kodiak,
>
> KH is the "carbonate hardness" in your system. It is telling you the
amount
> of carbonates in the water in ppm or degrees. The KH helps stabilize your
> pH and is intricate to the biobugs diet to do their job. If the
carbonates
> are low they can't convert the ammonia to nitrites and nitrites to
nitrates.
> A good carbonate hardness is in the range of 100 to 200 ppm. 80ppm is
low.
>
> GH is general hardness of your water and is a measure of the calcium and
> magnesium in the water. The harder the water the more calcium and
magnesium
> in the water. A typical water softener replaces the calcium with sodium
> making the water "softer."
>
> HTH
>
> Tom L.L.
> "Kodiak" > wrote in message
> .. .
> > What is KH, is that a water hardness test? Is it related to calcium
> > carbonate?
> > Thanks in advance..
> > ...Kodiak
> >
> >
> > "Tom La Bron" > wrote in message
> > ...
> > > Kodiak,
> > >
> > > While your at it add a couple of more airstones to your 90 gallon and
> put
> > as
> > > much air through them as you can. If you don't have any put at least
> four
> > > in your tank. The finer the bubbles the better. This should help
your
> > > cycling. My tanks cycle in two to three weeks. Also, bring your pH
up,
> > the
> > > biobugs establish themselves better at higher pH, somewhere between
7.6
> > and
> > > 8.2 . While you are at it get your KH at around 120ppm. If there are
> not
> > > any carbonates for the biobugs to use you will never cycle your tank.
> > >
> > > HTH
> > >
> > > Tom L.L.
> > > ===========
> > > "Kodiak" > wrote in message
> > > .. .
> > > > I am on the 5th week of cycling a 90G tank with one 9" Comet in it.
..
> > > > Ammonia levels are finally down, but the nitrites and nitrates are
> > > > very high, almost impossible to control, I doing 30% to 50% water
> > changes
> > > > and siphoning the gravel every day for the last three days. Before
> that
> > i
> > > > was
> > > > doing it 3-4 times a week to keep Ammonia down.
> > > > I used Biozyme, and Cycle products a couple of weeks ago,
> > > > i don't think it did didely $%^#^@&(*
> > > > I am gonna lose it very soon if I have to keep doing this day in day
> > out.
> > > > I don't understand why the Nitrates are also very high, could the
fish
> > be
> > > > polluting
> > > > the water really bad becasue he is suffering in the high Nitrite
> levels?
> > I
> > > > noticed
> > > > more poop even though I am feeding him much less these days.
> > > >
> > > > Is the end near?
> > > > How much damage is being done to my fish? (Ammonia burns gills, what
> > does
> > > > Nitrite do?)
> > > > Are Nitrite spikes generally harder on the fish than Ammonia spikes?
> > > > There is alot of green **** in the filter, that stuff is supposed to
> be
> > > grey
> > > > or black
> > > > when it fully cycles right?
> > > >
> > > > PH 6.5
> > > > Ammonia <0.1mg/L
> > > > Nitrite approx 1.6mg/L
> > > > Nitrate approx 75mg/L
> > > > water temp is generally high 70's low 80's.
> > > >
> > > > Should i be checking other water parameters?
> > > > thank you in advance... ..Kodiak.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>

[MattO]

Kodiak
Doesn't answer your question exactly but check out Chuck Gadd on PH/KH/CO2
relationship.
http://www.csd.net/~cgadd/aqua/art_plant_co2chart.htm
~ MattO


"Kodiak" > wrote in message
.. .
> Thanks for GH and KH definitions Tom.
> You mention to soften GH you replace Calcium with Sodium
> to make the water softer. How does that relate to soft water being
> generally termed as Acidic (low PH)?
>
> If GH goes down will PH go down too?
> If you add Salt (Sodium Chloride as opposed to just Sodium) to water
> does that tend to reduce the PH level to something more Acidic?
>
> ...Kodiak
>
>
> "Tom La Bron" > wrote in message
> ...
> > Kodiak,
> >
> > KH is the "carbonate hardness" in your system. It is telling you the
> amount
> > of carbonates in the water in ppm or degrees. The KH helps stabilize
your
> > pH and is intricate to the biobugs diet to do their job. If the
> carbonates
> > are low they can't convert the ammonia to nitrites and nitrites to
> nitrates.
> > A good carbonate hardness is in the range of 100 to 200 ppm. 80ppm is
> low.
> >
> > GH is general hardness of your water and is a measure of the calcium and
> > magnesium in the water. The harder the water the more calcium and
> magnesium
> > in the water. A typical water softener replaces the calcium with
sodium
> > making the water "softer."
> >
> > HTH
> >
> > Tom L.L.
> > "Kodiak" > wrote in message
> > .. .
> > > What is KH, is that a water hardness test? Is it related to calcium
> > > carbonate?
> > > Thanks in advance..
> > > ...Kodiak
> > >
> > >
> > > "Tom La Bron" > wrote in message
> > > ...
> > > > Kodiak,
> > > >
> > > > While your at it add a couple of more airstones to your 90 gallon
and
> > put
> > > as
> > > > much air through them as you can. If you don't have any put at
least
> > four
> > > > in your tank. The finer the bubbles the better. This should help
> your
> > > > cycling. My tanks cycle in two to three weeks. Also, bring your pH
> up,
> > > the
> > > > biobugs establish themselves better at higher pH, somewhere between
> 7.6
> > > and
> > > > 8.2 . While you are at it get your KH at around 120ppm. If there
are
> > not
> > > > any carbonates for the biobugs to use you will never cycle your
tank.
> > > >
> > > > HTH
> > > >
> > > > Tom L.L.
> > > > ===========
> > > > "Kodiak" > wrote in message
> > > > .. .
> > > > > I am on the 5th week of cycling a 90G tank with one 9" Comet in
it.
> .
> > > > > Ammonia levels are finally down, but the nitrites and nitrates are
> > > > > very high, almost impossible to control, I doing 30% to 50% water
> > > changes
> > > > > and siphoning the gravel every day for the last three days. Before
> > that
> > > i
> > > > > was
> > > > > doing it 3-4 times a week to keep Ammonia down.
> > > > > I used Biozyme, and Cycle products a couple of weeks ago,
> > > > > i don't think it did didely $%^#^@&(*
> > > > > I am gonna lose it very soon if I have to keep doing this day in
day
> > > out.
> > > > > I don't understand why the Nitrates are also very high, could the
> fish
> > > be
> > > > > polluting
> > > > > the water really bad becasue he is suffering in the high Nitrite
> > levels?
> > > I
> > > > > noticed
> > > > > more poop even though I am feeding him much less these days.
> > > > >
> > > > > Is the end near?
> > > > > How much damage is being done to my fish? (Ammonia burns gills,
what
> > > does
> > > > > Nitrite do?)
> > > > > Are Nitrite spikes generally harder on the fish than Ammonia
spikes?
> > > > > There is alot of green **** in the filter, that stuff is supposed
to
> > be
> > > > grey
> > > > > or black
> > > > > when it fully cycles right?
> > > > >
> > > > > PH 6.5
> > > > > Ammonia <0.1mg/L
> > > > > Nitrite approx 1.6mg/L
> > > > > Nitrate approx 75mg/L
> > > > > water temp is generally high 70's low 80's.
> > > > >
> > > > > Should i be checking other water parameters?
> > > > > thank you in advance... ..Kodiak.
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>

[Kodiak]

Wow!... Thanks for the link Matt,
I'm gonna turn into a chemist before I get to understand all this stuff...
! ...:O
....Kodiak


"MattO" > wrote in message
news:6YlYa.84806$Ho3.12027@sccrnsc03...
> Kodiak
> Doesn't answer your question exactly but check out Chuck Gadd on PH/KH/CO2
> relationship.
> http://www.csd.net/~cgadd/aqua/art_plant_co2chart.htm
> ~ MattO
>
>
> "Kodiak" > wrote in message
> .. .
> > Thanks for GH and KH definitions Tom.
> > You mention to soften GH you replace Calcium with Sodium
> > to make the water softer. How does that relate to soft water being
> > generally termed as Acidic (low PH)?
> >
> > If GH goes down will PH go down too?
> > If you add Salt (Sodium Chloride as opposed to just Sodium) to water
> > does that tend to reduce the PH level to something more Acidic?
> >
> > ...Kodiak
> >
> >
> > "Tom La Bron" > wrote in message
> > ...
> > > Kodiak,
> > >
> > > KH is the "carbonate hardness" in your system. It is telling you the
> > amount
> > > of carbonates in the water in ppm or degrees. The KH helps stabilize
> your
> > > pH and is intricate to the biobugs diet to do their job. If the
> > carbonates
> > > are low they can't convert the ammonia to nitrites and nitrites to
> > nitrates.
> > > A good carbonate hardness is in the range of 100 to 200 ppm. 80ppm is
> > low.
> > >
> > > GH is general hardness of your water and is a measure of the calcium
and
> > > magnesium in the water. The harder the water the more calcium and
> > magnesium
> > > in the water. A typical water softener replaces the calcium with
> sodium
> > > making the water "softer."
> > >
> > > HTH
> > >
> > > Tom L.L.
> > > "Kodiak" > wrote in message
> > > .. .
> > > > What is KH, is that a water hardness test? Is it related to calcium
> > > > carbonate?
> > > > Thanks in advance..
> > > > ...Kodiak
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > "Tom La Bron" > wrote in message
> > > > ...
> > > > > Kodiak,
> > > > >
> > > > > While your at it add a couple of more airstones to your 90 gallon
> and
> > > put
> > > > as
> > > > > much air through them as you can. If you don't have any put at
> least
> > > four
> > > > > in your tank. The finer the bubbles the better. This should help
> > your
> > > > > cycling. My tanks cycle in two to three weeks. Also, bring your
pH
> > up,
> > > > the
> > > > > biobugs establish themselves better at higher pH, somewhere
between
> > 7.6
> > > > and
> > > > > 8.2 . While you are at it get your KH at around 120ppm. If there
> are
> > > not
> > > > > any carbonates for the biobugs to use you will never cycle your
> tank.
> > > > >
> > > > > HTH
> > > > >
> > > > > Tom L.L.
> > > > > ===========
> > > > > "Kodiak" > wrote in message
> > > > > .. .
> > > > > > I am on the 5th week of cycling a 90G tank with one 9" Comet in
> it.
> > .
> > > > > > Ammonia levels are finally down, but the nitrites and nitrates
are
> > > > > > very high, almost impossible to control, I doing 30% to 50%
water
> > > > changes
> > > > > > and siphoning the gravel every day for the last three days.
Before
> > > that
> > > > i
> > > > > > was
> > > > > > doing it 3-4 times a week to keep Ammonia down.
> > > > > > I used Biozyme, and Cycle products a couple of weeks ago,
> > > > > > i don't think it did didely $%^#^@&(*
> > > > > > I am gonna lose it very soon if I have to keep doing this day in
> day
> > > > out.
> > > > > > I don't understand why the Nitrates are also very high, could
the
> > fish
> > > > be
> > > > > > polluting
> > > > > > the water really bad becasue he is suffering in the high Nitrite
> > > levels?
> > > > I
> > > > > > noticed
> > > > > > more poop even though I am feeding him much less these days.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Is the end near?
> > > > > > How much damage is being done to my fish? (Ammonia burns gills,
> what
> > > > does
> > > > > > Nitrite do?)
> > > > > > Are Nitrite spikes generally harder on the fish than Ammonia
> spikes?
> > > > > > There is alot of green **** in the filter, that stuff is
supposed
> to
> > > be
> > > > > grey
> > > > > > or black
> > > > > > when it fully cycles right?
> > > > > >
> > > > > > PH 6.5
> > > > > > Ammonia <0.1mg/L
> > > > > > Nitrite approx 1.6mg/L
> > > > > > Nitrate approx 75mg/L
> > > > > > water temp is generally high 70's low 80's.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Should i be checking other water parameters?
> > > > > > thank you in advance... ..Kodiak.
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>

[Kodiak]

6 weeks and Nitrites still very high, i keep doing a 30% water change every
day to keep things in check.
Is it possible changing the water like that every day will extend the
cycling period? I use tap water
but immediately follow up with a healthy dose of dechlorinator (Aqua Plus
Tap Water Conditioner)
Ammonia is almost Nil...
....Kodiak

"Kodiak" > wrote in message
...
> Wow!... Thanks for the link Matt,
> I'm gonna turn into a chemist before I get to understand all this stuff...
> ! ...:O
> ...Kodiak
>
>
> "MattO" > wrote in message
> news:6YlYa.84806$Ho3.12027@sccrnsc03...
> > Kodiak
> > Doesn't answer your question exactly but check out Chuck Gadd on
PH/KH/CO2
> > relationship.
> > http://www.csd.net/~cgadd/aqua/art_plant_co2chart.htm
> > ~ MattO
> >
> >
> > "Kodiak" > wrote in message
> > .. .
> > > Thanks for GH and KH definitions Tom.
> > > You mention to soften GH you replace Calcium with Sodium
> > > to make the water softer. How does that relate to soft water being
> > > generally termed as Acidic (low PH)?
> > >
> > > If GH goes down will PH go down too?
> > > If you add Salt (Sodium Chloride as opposed to just Sodium) to water
> > > does that tend to reduce the PH level to something more Acidic?
> > >
> > > ...Kodiak
> > >
> > >
> > > "Tom La Bron" > wrote in message
> > > ...
> > > > Kodiak,
> > > >
> > > > KH is the "carbonate hardness" in your system. It is telling you
the
> > > amount
> > > > of carbonates in the water in ppm or degrees. The KH helps
stabilize
> > your
> > > > pH and is intricate to the biobugs diet to do their job. If the
> > > carbonates
> > > > are low they can't convert the ammonia to nitrites and nitrites to
> > > nitrates.
> > > > A good carbonate hardness is in the range of 100 to 200 ppm. 80ppm
is
> > > low.
> > > >
> > > > GH is general hardness of your water and is a measure of the calcium
> and
> > > > magnesium in the water. The harder the water the more calcium and
> > > magnesium
> > > > in the water. A typical water softener replaces the calcium with
> > sodium
> > > > making the water "softer."
> > > >
> > > > HTH
> > > >
> > > > Tom L.L.
> > > > "Kodiak" > wrote in message
> > > > .. .
> > > > > What is KH, is that a water hardness test? Is it related to
calcium
> > > > > carbonate?
> > > > > Thanks in advance..
> > > > > ...Kodiak
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > "Tom La Bron" > wrote in message
> > > > > ...
> > > > > > Kodiak,
> > > > > >
> > > > > > While your at it add a couple of more airstones to your 90
gallon
> > and
> > > > put
> > > > > as
> > > > > > much air through them as you can. If you don't have any put at
> > least
> > > > four
> > > > > > in your tank. The finer the bubbles the better. This should
help
> > > your
> > > > > > cycling. My tanks cycle in two to three weeks. Also, bring
your
> pH
> > > up,
> > > > > the
> > > > > > biobugs establish themselves better at higher pH, somewhere
> between
> > > 7.6
> > > > > and
> > > > > > 8.2 . While you are at it get your KH at around 120ppm. If
there
> > are
> > > > not
> > > > > > any carbonates for the biobugs to use you will never cycle your
> > tank.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > HTH
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Tom L.L.
> > > > > > ===========
> > > > > > "Kodiak" > wrote in message
> > > > > > .. .
> > > > > > > I am on the 5th week of cycling a 90G tank with one 9" Comet
in
> > it.
> > > .
> > > > > > > Ammonia levels are finally down, but the nitrites and nitrates
> are
> > > > > > > very high, almost impossible to control, I doing 30% to 50%
> water
> > > > > changes
> > > > > > > and siphoning the gravel every day for the last three days.
> Before
> > > > that
> > > > > i
> > > > > > > was
> > > > > > > doing it 3-4 times a week to keep Ammonia down.
> > > > > > > I used Biozyme, and Cycle products a couple of weeks ago,
> > > > > > > i don't think it did didely $%^#^@&(*
> > > > > > > I am gonna lose it very soon if I have to keep doing this day
in
> > day
> > > > > out.
> > > > > > > I don't understand why the Nitrates are also very high, could
> the
> > > fish
> > > > > be
> > > > > > > polluting
> > > > > > > the water really bad becasue he is suffering in the high
Nitrite
> > > > levels?
> > > > > I
> > > > > > > noticed
> > > > > > > more poop even though I am feeding him much less these days.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Is the end near?
> > > > > > > How much damage is being done to my fish? (Ammonia burns
gills,
> > what
> > > > > does
> > > > > > > Nitrite do?)
> > > > > > > Are Nitrite spikes generally harder on the fish than Ammonia
> > spikes?
> > > > > > > There is alot of green **** in the filter, that stuff is
> supposed
> > to
> > > > be
> > > > > > grey
> > > > > > > or black
> > > > > > > when it fully cycles right?
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > PH 6.5
> > > > > > > Ammonia <0.1mg/L
> > > > > > > Nitrite approx 1.6mg/L
> > > > > > > Nitrate approx 75mg/L
> > > > > > > water temp is generally high 70's low 80's.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Should i be checking other water parameters?
> > > > > > > thank you in advance... ..Kodiak.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>

[[email protected]]

nitrites are really toxic to the biobugs. gotta keep em down even with 100% water
changes more than once a day. add the dechlor, then add the water.
you might want to consider getting Biospira. Ingrid

"Kodiak" > wrote:
>6 weeks and Nitrites still very high, i keep doing a 30% water change every
>day to keep things in check.
>Is it possible changing the water like that every day will extend the
>cycling period? I use tap water
>but immediately follow up with a healthy dose of dechlorinator (Aqua Plus
>Tap Water Conditioner)
>Ammonia is almost Nil...
>...Kodiak


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
List Manager: Puregold Goldfish List
http://puregold.aquaria.net/
www.drsolo.com
Solve the problem, dont waste energy finding who's to blame
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Unfortunately, I receive no money, gifts, discounts or other
compensation for all the damn work I do, nor for any of the
endorsements or recommendations I make.

[Kodiak]

Going on 7 weeks, Nitrites still high, still doing a 30% every day.
How could this be taking so long?
....Kodiak


> wrote in message
...
> nitrites are really toxic to the biobugs. gotta keep em down even with
100% water
> changes more than once a day. add the dechlor, then add the water.
> you might want to consider getting Biospira. Ingrid
>
> "Kodiak" > wrote:
> >6 weeks and Nitrites still very high, i keep doing a 30% water change
every
> >day to keep things in check.
> >Is it possible changing the water like that every day will extend the
> >cycling period? I use tap water
> >but immediately follow up with a healthy dose of dechlorinator (Aqua Plus
> >Tap Water Conditioner)
> >Ammonia is almost Nil...
> >...Kodiak
>
>
> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
> List Manager: Puregold Goldfish List
> http://puregold.aquaria.net/
> www.drsolo.com
> Solve the problem, dont waste energy finding who's to blame
> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
> Unfortunately, I receive no money, gifts, discounts or other
> compensation for all the damn work I do, nor for any of the
> endorsements or recommendations I make.

[[email protected]]

nitrites are --->>> really toxic to the biobugs<<<-----. gotta keep em down even
with --->100% water changes more than once a day.
what are your nitrates? Ingrid

"Kodiak" > wrote:

>Going on 7 weeks, Nitrites still high, still doing a 30% every day.
>How could this be taking so long?
>...Kodiak



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
List Manager: Puregold Goldfish List
http://puregold.aquaria.net/
www.drsolo.com
Solve the problem, dont waste energy finding who's to blame
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Unfortunately, I receive no money, gifts, discounts or other
compensation for all the damn work I do, nor for any of the
endorsements or recommendations I make.

[Kodiak]

PH 6.5, Temp 79, ammonia nearly zero, 90G tank with a 9" COMET, 7 weeks in
the cycle. From what i read in the article, I could be having "PHOSPHATE
BLOCK" or the Chlorine in my water changes is killing the Nitrobacter.

Sufficient phosphates are normally present in regular drinking water. During
certain periods of the year, the amount of phosphates may be very low. A
phenomenon known as "Phosphate Block" may occur. If all the above described
parameters are within the optimum ranges for the bacteria and nitrite levels
continue to escalate without production of nitrate, then phosphate block may
be occurring.

Thank you for the great article!... ...Kodiak

"Azul" > wrote in message
...
> What is the temperature and the ph of your water? That will affect
> the bio bugs.
>
> See: http://www.bioconlabs.com/nitribactfacts.html
>
> On Sun, 17 Aug 2003 02:01:37 -0400, "Kodiak" >
> wrote:
>
> >Going on 7 weeks, Nitrites still high, still doing a 30% every day.
> >How could this be taking so long?
> >...Kodiak
> >
> >
> > wrote in message
> ...
> >> nitrites are really toxic to the biobugs. gotta keep em down even with
> >100% water
> >> changes more than once a day. add the dechlor, then add the water.
> >> you might want to consider getting Biospira. Ingrid
> >>
> >> "Kodiak" > wrote:
> >> >6 weeks and Nitrites still very high, i keep doing a 30% water change
> >every
> >> >day to keep things in check.
> >> >Is it possible changing the water like that every day will extend the
> >> >cycling period? I use tap water
> >> >but immediately follow up with a healthy dose of dechlorinator (Aqua
Plus
> >> >Tap Water Conditioner)
> >> >Ammonia is almost Nil...
> >> >...Kodiak
> >>
> >>
> >> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
> >> List Manager: Puregold Goldfish List
> >> http://puregold.aquaria.net/
> >> www.drsolo.com
> >> Solve the problem, dont waste energy finding who's to blame
> >> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
> >> Unfortunately, I receive no money, gifts, discounts or other
> >> compensation for all the damn work I do, nor for any of the
> >> endorsements or recommendations I make.
> >
>
>
> Azul

[[email protected]]

bring your pH up to 7.0, they dont like it too acid.

"Kodiak" > wrote:

>PH 6.5, Temp 79, ammonia nearly zero, 90G tank with a 9" COMET, 7 weeks in
>the cycle. From what i read in the article, I could be having "PHOSPHATE
>BLOCK" or the Chlorine in my water changes is killing the Nitrobacter.
>
>Sufficient phosphates are normally present in regular drinking water. During
>certain periods of the year, the amount of phosphates may be very low. A
>phenomenon known as "Phosphate Block" may occur. If all the above described
>parameters are within the optimum ranges for the bacteria and nitrite levels
>continue to escalate without production of nitrate, then phosphate block may
>be occurring.
>
>Thank you for the great article!... ...Kodiak


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
List Manager: Puregold Goldfish List
http://puregold.aquaria.net/
www.drsolo.com
Solve the problem, dont waste energy finding who's to blame
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Unfortunately, I receive no money, gifts, discounts or other
compensation for all the damn work I do, nor for any of the
endorsements or recommendations I make.