Levels Getting Worse.....

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...

No comment!

On 17 Jan 2007 07:57:21 -0800, "JB" wrote:

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...



-------
I forgot more about ponds and koi than I'll ever know!

Your tank is still cycling....patience is the key here (it can take
weeks) and making sure that levels don't kill the fish

Gill

"JB" wrote in message
oups.com...
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. Keep feeding sparingly and keep us posted.
--
ZB....
Frugal ponding since 1995.
rec.ponder since late 1996.
My Pond & Aquarium Pages:
http://tinyurl.com/9do58
~~~~ }((((* ~~~ }{{{{(ö ~~~~ }((((({*

Zëbulon wrote:

=============================
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. Keep feeding sparingly and keep us posted.
--
ZB....

Actually, they *should* vacuum the gravel during the cycling period.
The nitrifying bacteria secrete a glue like substance and adhere to
every surface. They are NOT going anywhere. Vacuuming gravel isn't
going to budge them.
It would do more harm to the health of the tank *not* to vacuum during
a cycle.

"Tynk" wrote in message
ps.com...

Actually, they *should* vacuum the gravel during the cycling period.

I started lurking here about a month ago as I was thinking about getting
back into keeping tropical fish. I had been a fairly avid hobbyist about 35
years ago, and am amazed at the advancements in the knowledge available. I
had never even heard of cycling a tank back then, I had pH testing, a couple
of anti-bacterial and fungal treatments and that's about all. At least from
what I remember.

So it looks like I have quite a bit to learn before getting too involved.
One thing that would help is a step by step guide on setting up a new tank
so that all the details (such as the one above regarding vacuuming the
gravel during the cycling period) are delineated and put in their proper
perspective within the process. Is there a consensus in the group as the
most comprehensive, correct, and readable guide (either printed or web page)
for setting up a new tank geared toward the new hobbyist?

BTW, I am very impressed with the quality of posts in this group and (except
for a few notable but very rare occasions) the civilized way in which the
discussions are presented.

Thanks,
-Don
--
Ever had one of those days where you just felt like:
http://cosmoslair.com/BadDay.html ?
(Eating the elephant outside the box, one paradigm at a time)

"Don Freeman" wrote in message
...

"Tynk" wrote in message
ps.com...

Actually, they *should* vacuum the gravel during the cycling period.

I started lurking here about a month ago as I was thinking about getting
back into keeping tropical fish. I had been a fairly avid hobbyist about
35 years ago, and am amazed at the advancements in the knowledge
available. I had never even heard of cycling a tank back then, I had pH
testing, a couple of anti-bacterial and fungal treatments and that's about
all. At least from what I remember.

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.

So it looks like I have quite a bit to learn before getting too involved.
One thing that would help is a step by step guide on setting up a new tank
so that all the details (such as the one above regarding vacuuming the
gravel during the cycling period) are delineated and put in their proper
perspective within the process.

Keep in mind what works the best for one person and their set up and
conditions, may not for another.

Is there a consensus in the group as the
most comprehensive, correct, and readable guide (either printed or web
page) for setting up a new tank geared toward the new hobbyist?

BTW, I am very impressed with the quality of posts in this group and
(except for a few notable but very rare occasions) the civilized way in
which the discussions are presented.

Hang out and learn......... we all are! :-)

--
ZB....
Frugal ponding since 1995.
rec.ponder since late 1996.
My Pond & Aquarium Pages:
http://tinyurl.com/9do58
~~~~ }((((* ~~~ }{{{{(ö ~~~~ }((((({*

On Wed, 17 Jan 2007 14:42:00 -0600, Zëbulon
wrote:


"Don Freeman" wrote in message
. ..

"Tynk" wrote in message
ps.com...

Actually, they *should* vacuum the gravel during the cycling period.

I started lurking here about a month ago as I was thinking about getting
back into keeping tropical fish. I had been a fairly avid hobbyist about
35 years ago, and am amazed at the advancements in the knowledge
available. I had never even heard of cycling a tank back then, I had pH
testing, a couple of anti-bacterial and fungal treatments and that's about
all. At least from what I remember.

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.

Then why do you continually give bad advice Carol? Maybe y need to
buy a few magazines and follow your own advice.....but your info sucks
big time that you give. Your totally clueless and ingnorant in what yu
advise others to do.


So it looks like I have quite a bit to learn before getting too involved.
One thing that would help is a step by step guide on setting up a new tank
so that all the details (such as the one above regarding vacuuming the
gravel during the cycling period) are delineated and put in their proper
perspective within the process.

Keep in mind what works the best for one person and their set up and
conditions, may not for another.

Yes, but your so far out in left fild most times and thats where the
difference lay. Seems odd a person inthe UK can give advice top a
problem a person has and it gets remidied, and that can be applied to
virtually all, yet when you r caught giving erroneous crapout like you
do your comeback is well it works for me. For some reason or other, I
would certainly not want to do anythng you recomemnd on that kind of
thought process, as its bound to be hazzardous to more than it helps.

Is there a consensus in the group as the
most comprehensive, correct, and readable guide (either printed or web
page) for setting up a new tank geared toward the new hobbyist?

Just because its on th einternet to lots of foks means it has tor be
right. But then look at folks like carol aka Zebulon. She has a
website and she frequents forums, and is always handing out erroneous
info......Hang around the forums and it does not take long to see who
is giving good info and who is full of **** like CArol and a few of
her supporters of plagarism.

BTW, I am very impressed with the quality of posts in this group and
(except for a few notable but very rare occasions) the civilized way in
which the discussions are presented.

Hang out and learn......... we all are! :-)
Too bad carol your not hanging, like your buddy Ed Alston
contemplated doing in the suicide groups. Now all the tweo of you do
is trash and make problems for any groups you all decide to hang out
in.




-------
I forgot more about ponds and koi than I'll ever know!

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.
If you take your own advice and pick up the January issue of Tropical
Fish Hobbyist magazine, you will read for yourself how sticky the
nitrifying bacteria are.



Keep in mind what works the best for one person and their set up and
conditions, may not for another.

Yes, that is true. However, new found information that is completely
different than once was thought can only benifit the hobbyist, and
mostly, the fish. Hence the reason for vacuuming during the cycling
period.


Is there a consensus in the group as the
most comprehensive, correct, and readable guide (either printed or web
page) for setting up a new tank geared toward the new hobbyist?

BTW, I am very impressed with the quality of posts in this group and
(except for a few notable but very rare occasions) the civilized way in
which the discussions are presented.

Hang out and learn......... we all are! :-)

That's good advice.
Seriously though, January's issue of TFH. This information about the
bacteria secreting a very sticky substance was only recently found
out...like within the past decade.
I too once thought if you vacuumed during the cycle you'd be removing
the bacteria. I also once thought that adding old tank water to a new
tank transfered some too. It does not, as the bacteria do not float
about in the water.
Some also thought that if you squeeze out a filter pad from an
established tank into a new tank that you would be "seeding" the new
tank. It does not. It only adds gunk.
I realize you've been in the hobby since the 1950's, but this is the
current information.
Science is an amazing subject that never gets dull.

Most posts are fine, and folks get correct answers, that is unless its
Zebulon and her canned erroneous replies, which are not even in the
ballgame in lots of circumstances. One wold be welladvised on
utilizing any info Zebulon or whatever nym she changes to as her info
has a track record of being WRONG.....Strick with Tynk Carls, Gill
and a few of the others, they are dead on in being correct.



On Wed, 17 Jan 2007 12:03:49 -0800, "Don Freeman"
wrote:


"Tynk" wrote in message
groups.com...

Actually, they *should* vacuum the gravel during the cycling period.

I started lurking here about a month ago as I was thinking about getting
back into keeping tropical fish. I had been a fairly avid hobbyist about 35
years ago, and am amazed at the advancements in the knowledge available. I
had never even heard of cycling a tank back then, I had pH testing, a couple
of anti-bacterial and fungal treatments and that's about all. At least from
what I remember.

So it looks like I have quite a bit to learn before getting too involved.
One thing that would help is a step by step guide on setting up a new tank
so that all the details (such as the one above regarding vacuuming the
gravel during the cycling period) are delineated and put in their proper
perspective within the process. Is there a consensus in the group as the
most comprehensive, correct, and readable guide (either printed or web page)
for setting up a new tank geared toward the new hobbyist?

BTW, I am very impressed with the quality of posts in this group and (except
for a few notable but very rare occasions) the civilized way in which the
discussions are presented.

Thanks,
-Don



-------
I forgot more about ponds and koi than I'll ever know!