hi again, i did some more reading on my amonia problem and think maybe i should get into more detail about my setup. The day i added my fish was also the same day i completelly drained my tank and refilled it with spring water. i've done this before without a problem but till now didn't really understand the importance of letting everything cycle before adding fish. so in combination with that and the warm temp. of the water it killed all the fish. i didn't catch it till the next morning but by then i had an amonia exposion. i read that lava rock helps but i don't use anything for the floor of my tank. i do this becuase i think it helps with filtering the water. now i have a couple different questions. Should i drain 25% of the water every few days or leave it as is and let nature take it's course and hope it balances out? Also, do you think i should try using chemicals or any other solution from a pet shop?
thank you
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i can't figure this out PART TWO
Replies (2)
Hi I am far from expert with crocodilians but do know a thing or two about fish keeping…
High nitrates and ammonia are mostly filtration problems… it’s commonly misunderstood and neglected. Mechanical filters (sponge ect) can do a reasonably good job at removing the solids but to break down the other chemicals you need to have some form of biological media ..on small volumes of water the sponge type filters do a reasonable job.. things to mess it up are constantly washing the sponge out and subsequently removing the biological bacteria that breaks down the other chemicals… and having too fast or slow of a flow rate through the filter. as you’ve said you have nothing on the floor of your water area you also have no place for the biological bacteria to grow so you filter is the only place it can breed…another important factor is oxygen. .the bacteria need a high supply of this to grow.. as for the fish dieing , if the filtration isn’t right the water wouldn’t be either hence the dead fish….check you filter set up and test the water.. if its still cloudy then id seriously look into getting a different set up.. Cloudiness is a combination of tiny micro organisms and waste material that is too small for your filter to extract.. you can buy an additive from a local fish store that binds it all together so the filter can remove it but this is only temporary.. For small amounts of water have a look at some recommended biological filters for fish tanks…for larger ones look at koi and pond filters.. Another cause of cloudiness could be algae starting to form .this is the vain of fish keeping and there are many solutions for it.. the best method I’ve personally used is ultraviolet light. Again there are chemical alternatives.
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no way the way no limit the limit
Petshop chemicals are quick fixes that won't help in the long run. You just need to wait 4-6 weeks for the water to cycle before adding fish, and even then you'll want to use hardy ones.
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Peter: It's OK, I'll handle it. I read a book about something like this.
Brian: Are you sure it was a book? Are you sure it wasn't NOTHING?
