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Post by devonjohnsgard on Dec 4, 2019 10:24:59 GMT -5
Wirh just stability and a sponge, I've gotten tanks to cycle in a week or two. I lean to just let the tank cycle now, but sticking to one method if it struggles after a week or so.
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Post by Carl on Dec 4, 2019 11:03:10 GMT -5
At this point, I would leave the plants in except for any that die (or any dead plant litter).
Since you need to feed the bacteria & plants, I would not use pure ammonia, rather liquified fish food or even at this point add some guppies or similar
Carl
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Post by parker002 on Dec 4, 2019 13:34:21 GMT -5
Okay, thanks guys.
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Post by parker002 on Dec 4, 2019 20:38:40 GMT -5
It does look like I'm going to have to submit an order here soon. I need more Wonder Shells at the very least.
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Post by parker002 on Dec 9, 2019 12:49:38 GMT -5
Guys, I'm getting REALLY frustrated.
I cleaned up all the mulm and dead anacharis, add a hunk of wonder shell, and let the cycle go. My nitrites are rising, albeit slowly, and my ammonia alert remains yellow. I have been taking a pinch of food each day, grinding it into a powder, and mixing it with tank water to create a fine mist of food.
I now have what appears to be fungus growing on the sand, even though the only organic matter I've ever introduced to the tank is fish food. It's getting to the point where I don't think I'll ever be able to put my axolotls in and it's really stressing me out.
What do I do?
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Post by Carl on Dec 9, 2019 17:58:26 GMT -5
Guys, I'm getting REALLY frustrated. I cleaned up all the mulm and dead anacharis, add a hunk of wonder shell, and let the cycle go. My nitrites are rising, albeit slowly, and my ammonia alert remains yellow. I have been taking a pinch of food each day, grinding it into a powder, and mixing it with tank water to create a fine mist of food. I now have what appears to be fungus growing on the sand, even though the only organic matter I've ever introduced to the tank is fish food. It's getting to the point where I don't think I'll ever be able to put my axolotls in and it's really stressing me out. What do I do? Do you have a seasoned bio filter from another aquarium available? I would simply go back to water changes followed by Stability. While not politically correct anymore in fish keeping, adding a couple of guppies, platties or similar during this time should help too. Besides the Ammonia Alert are you using liquid tests? Maybe try a test strip for comparison (at least for nitrites) Carl
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Post by parker002 on Dec 9, 2019 18:37:58 GMT -5
I don't have any ammonia strips and my ammonia drip test doesn't detect NH4 (only NH3) so if I use Prime, the test shows a false negative. I do have another aquarium but that aquarium was where my problems started and the suspected pathogen came from. My axolotl breeder said to start from scratch and not to use seasoned media.
Should I just go ahead and put my axolotls in there and dose every day with Prime to detoxify any ammonia or nitrites?
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Post by Carl on Dec 10, 2019 10:16:49 GMT -5
I don't have any ammonia strips and my ammonia drip test doesn't detect NH4 (only NH3) so if I use Prime, the test shows a false negative. I do have another aquarium but that aquarium was where my problems started and the suspected pathogen came from. My axolotl breeder said to start from scratch and not to use seasoned media. Should I just go ahead and put my axolotls in there and dose every day with Prime to detoxify any ammonia or nitrites? I understand your concern with seasoned media What are your most current NH3/NH4 readings via liquid and or test strips as well as NH3 via Ammonia alert? Carl
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Post by parker002 on Dec 10, 2019 11:56:42 GMT -5
The liquid ammonia test reads 0ppm. The ammonia alert is yellow, meaning less than .02ppm. The test strips are reading under .5ppm nitrites but above 0ppm (just slightly pink) with about 15ppm nitrates. So I know it's not finished cycling.
That being said, I did talk to my breeder last night and she said if the ammonia is at 0ppm, I can put them in and dose daily with Stability and Prime. If they show signs of stress, I can always tub them again but she thought it might be a good idea to have the axolotls themselves in the tank to jump start finishing the cycle.
So far they are eating (aggressively actually) and behaving normally so I'm just keeping an eye on them.
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Post by parker002 on Dec 10, 2019 12:05:26 GMT -5
Here's the copper fleck, named Cooper, begging for food. begging.mov (3.73 MB) And here's the leucystic, name Lucy, going crazy on a worm. eating.mov (3.34 MB)
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Post by Carl on Dec 10, 2019 13:13:27 GMT -5
The liquid ammonia test reads 0ppm. The ammonia alert is yellow, meaning less than .02ppm. The test strips are reading under .5ppm nitrites but above 0ppm (just slightly pink) with about 15ppm nitrates. So I know it's not finished cycling. That being said, I did talk to my breeder last night and she said if the ammonia is at 0ppm, I can put them in and dose daily with Stability and Prime. If they show signs of stress, I can always tub them again but she thought it might be a good idea to have the axolotls themselves in the tank to jump start finishing the cycle. So far they are eating (aggressively actually) and behaving normally so I'm just keeping an eye on them. I 100% agree with your breeder (I would add that I suggest slowly weening off the Stability and Prime). As for being fully cycled, I have seen aquariums with your numbers that are cycled (by many methods, including season filter media). My personal opinion is the aquarium IS cycled, but still has a fragile bio filter Your axolotls look like they are doing quite well Carl
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Post by parker002 on Dec 10, 2019 14:52:15 GMT -5
Honestly, I think my issue is that I just don't have enough circulation. I've got a small sponge filter but with it being air driven, it doesn't have a large inflow radius. Add to that that my pump driving the chiller is probably underpowered and I'm just not getting enough water through my bio filters. I'm going to put in a larger pump tonight and see what happens.
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