Rollins4Miles
04-02-2010, 02:00 AM
To give a bit of background - I used starter fish to get my first tank, 75g, cycled. The process took about 6-8 weeks. After that, when I set up a new tank, I would seed the new filters onto the 75g and when the new tanks were ready, I would transfer the new filter to the new tank and add the fish. I have received a lot of harassment for doing this but I have never had a problem.
I am currently in the process of setting up my 220g Amazonian tank. I made two prior attempts to get the tank running. I had seeded the media for the filters in established tanks, put the media back into the filters, let the tank run for a day, and then attempted to add fish to the tank. I added Giant Danios on both occasions. In both attempts the fish had died within a few days. The water parameters were zeros across the board.
Being beyond frustrated and confused, I consulted a professional. They came to my house and I explained the situation. After discussing the problem and two concerns of mine, which here on out are irrelevant (I hope), the gentleman recommended doing a fishless cycle and letting the tank mature.
On Tuesday, the man returned to my house to guide me through the process. Over the weekend I had purchased a live bacteria which he had recommended, "Fritz-Zyme Turbo Start 700." Unlike most live bacteria products I have come across, the Fritz-Zyme was stored in a refrigerator and was to remain refrigerated until use. I used two 4oz bottles which, according to the bottle, is sufficient for up to 320g. After adding the live bacteria, I doused the tank with approximately 2.5 grams of Proline ammonium chloride. I was told to let the tank run for a few days and when the nitrite levels went down, to add goldfish to the tank (I am assuming I was to use goldfish since they are cheap and produce large bio-loads). I bought four Red Comet goldfish and currently have them in a quarantine tank.
Towards the end of the first 24 hours, I did a water test. The results were [ammonia 1] [nitrite 0] [nitrate 0]. I did another water test later that night and the results were [ammonia 0.35] [nitrite 0.5] [nitrate 0]. Tonight, at the end of the first 48 hours, I did another water test. The results were [ammonia 0] [nitrite 0.25] [nitrate 5].
To give a brief summary of the tank:
220g w/ dual overflow
Running three filters:
1. JBJ Reaction 4 w/ UV canister - rating: 175g @ 290gph
2. Fluval FX5 canister - rating: 400g @ 925gph
3. Wet / Dry - rating: 264gph
Temperature is at 80F
So after this long digression I guess I should get to the point...
Is it common for a fishless cycle to move this fast? To have the nitrites starting to decline and signs of nitrates within 48 hours seems abnormally fast to me; but I am not a professional, simply a hobbyist.
Should I add another dose of the ammonium chloride to allow the bacteria colonies to grow? Or is the one application sufficient?
Are the goldfish a wise idea to add as a starter fish? I do understand that they produce a lot of waste which will help the bacteria remain healthy and expand; however, goldfish seem to be frequently diseased and my temperature in the 220g is not proper for goldfish. I feel that the higher temperature may lead to illness. Please be aware that the goldfish will not be permanent residents in the tank.
Once the tank has stabilized, is it smarter to transfer a few smaller fish into the tank at time, or move a single larger fish? Something tells me the several smaller fish is the smarter initial transfer.
I commend and thank anyone who had read this entire post. I truly apologize for the length. My job requires a large amount of writing which has crossed over into my personal life.
I am going to attempt to post a picture of the tank, a before and after sequence. It is the latest picture I had of the tank but unfortunately the plants were removed for what was thought to be a prior dilemma.
I am currently in the process of setting up my 220g Amazonian tank. I made two prior attempts to get the tank running. I had seeded the media for the filters in established tanks, put the media back into the filters, let the tank run for a day, and then attempted to add fish to the tank. I added Giant Danios on both occasions. In both attempts the fish had died within a few days. The water parameters were zeros across the board.
Being beyond frustrated and confused, I consulted a professional. They came to my house and I explained the situation. After discussing the problem and two concerns of mine, which here on out are irrelevant (I hope), the gentleman recommended doing a fishless cycle and letting the tank mature.
On Tuesday, the man returned to my house to guide me through the process. Over the weekend I had purchased a live bacteria which he had recommended, "Fritz-Zyme Turbo Start 700." Unlike most live bacteria products I have come across, the Fritz-Zyme was stored in a refrigerator and was to remain refrigerated until use. I used two 4oz bottles which, according to the bottle, is sufficient for up to 320g. After adding the live bacteria, I doused the tank with approximately 2.5 grams of Proline ammonium chloride. I was told to let the tank run for a few days and when the nitrite levels went down, to add goldfish to the tank (I am assuming I was to use goldfish since they are cheap and produce large bio-loads). I bought four Red Comet goldfish and currently have them in a quarantine tank.
Towards the end of the first 24 hours, I did a water test. The results were [ammonia 1] [nitrite 0] [nitrate 0]. I did another water test later that night and the results were [ammonia 0.35] [nitrite 0.5] [nitrate 0]. Tonight, at the end of the first 48 hours, I did another water test. The results were [ammonia 0] [nitrite 0.25] [nitrate 5].
To give a brief summary of the tank:
220g w/ dual overflow
Running three filters:
1. JBJ Reaction 4 w/ UV canister - rating: 175g @ 290gph
2. Fluval FX5 canister - rating: 400g @ 925gph
3. Wet / Dry - rating: 264gph
Temperature is at 80F
So after this long digression I guess I should get to the point...
Is it common for a fishless cycle to move this fast? To have the nitrites starting to decline and signs of nitrates within 48 hours seems abnormally fast to me; but I am not a professional, simply a hobbyist.
Should I add another dose of the ammonium chloride to allow the bacteria colonies to grow? Or is the one application sufficient?
Are the goldfish a wise idea to add as a starter fish? I do understand that they produce a lot of waste which will help the bacteria remain healthy and expand; however, goldfish seem to be frequently diseased and my temperature in the 220g is not proper for goldfish. I feel that the higher temperature may lead to illness. Please be aware that the goldfish will not be permanent residents in the tank.
Once the tank has stabilized, is it smarter to transfer a few smaller fish into the tank at time, or move a single larger fish? Something tells me the several smaller fish is the smarter initial transfer.
I commend and thank anyone who had read this entire post. I truly apologize for the length. My job requires a large amount of writing which has crossed over into my personal life.
I am going to attempt to post a picture of the tank, a before and after sequence. It is the latest picture I had of the tank but unfortunately the plants were removed for what was thought to be a prior dilemma.