Zëbulon wrote:
"Tynk" wrote in message
oups.com...

Zëbulon wrote:


I got my first aquarium in the early 1950s. The changes are unbelievable
over the years. Pick up some Fish magazines and search the web. The new
knowledge is everywhere.


This is why I posted the current information about nitrifying bacteria
being sticky and adhering to the surfaces like glue. This *IS* the
current info.

No one said it wasn't. ;-)


This is why I posted about it adhering to the surfaces like glue:
Your comment made it seem that you thought this way.....

From: Zëbulon - view profile
Date: Wed, Jan 17 2007 11:32 am
Email: Zëbulon
Groups: rec.aquaria.freshwater.misc
Rating: (1 user)
show options
Reply | Reply to Author | Forward | Print | Individual Message | Show
original | Report Abuse | Find messages by this author



"JB" wrote in message


oups.com...


- Hide quoted text -
- Show quoted text -

I tried the suggestions on vacuuming my gravel for waste, cutting back
on my feeding to now once every other day and not very much... I've
completed two 25% water changes, and added AmQuel to try and Neutralize
the Nitrates and Nitrites..

So far I have the following...


Nitrate = 40ppm


Nitrite = 5.0ppm


Hardness = 150ppm (up from 75ppm from before)


Alkalinity = 0 (yes Zero.. It was around 40ppm Just yesterday)


PH = 6.8 (down from 7.2)


Now keeping in mind I did a 100% Water change last Tuesday 9th, and
have three 2" sword tail fish & about 14 or so fry in a net and with
the 100% change I cleaned all Decor & Gravel well, got rid of algae,
etc.. I don't know what I'm missing or can do to fix my levels..


My fish are just kinda "hanging around" most of the time... Sorry if
this seems like a identical repost, but it's more of an update and I
don't know what to do...



=============================
For now keep doing partial water changes until the cycle finishes.
Don't
disturb the gravel or filter material as the good bacteria are tying to
hang
on and multiply.


The "Don't disturb the gravel or filter material as the good bacteria
are trying to hang on"....

Same with the filter media. It *Should* be rinsed out in old tank water
during a cycling period for the same reasons.
If you are going to cycle a tank with fish, the water, gravel and
filters need to be kept very clean.
It has nothing to do with the whole "what works for you may not work
for me" kind of thing.
This doesn't apply to this situation. It's not just a different way of
doing things.
Current science has discovered the old way just isn't what it was
thought to be.
Not vacuuming isn't a good thing during a cycling period.