Cycled Water

[erikharrison]

I have a new tank and I screwed up by overpopulating WAY too early (cuz I knew nothing about this when I got involved) and I was wondering if I could use someone elses pre bacteriallized water to help with a good start. I have a lionfish, spotted boxfish, midas blenny, and 3 damsels... The tank is a 47 gal column with a filstar x2. It has been up for 3 weeks and I have nitrite issues. I was hoping to catch someone doing a major water change or dissolving of a tank so I could snag their good water. Is this even a good idea???

[Hotrod32487]

Im not 100% certain so someone correct me if im wrong but i think its more the live rock and sand that hold the beneficial bacteria

[caferacermike]

I'm completely with HotRod. It's my understanding that old water contains nothing but wastes that you would not want to put into your tank. The lion will need a much larger tank anyways. You might want to think about taking it and some of your fish back to the store that sold you all of this. I hope no store sent you home with everything, IE: tank, stand lighting, filter, and fish, all on the same day. If so could you tell us who?

[erick]

Bio Spira- This is THE stuff.. You can get it at Pollys pets in SA and New Braunfels.... It IS the beneficial bacteria that break down the nitrogen cycle. Claims to instant cycle a tank. Has worked wonders for me, I strongly recommend it for new tanks. Check it out on www.wetwebmedia.com, google search thru that site and you will find lots of raves for this product.

[hobogato]

that is a quick fix that may not last initially - keep testing and doing water changes, you may have to dose the biospira more than once since you started with such a high fish load for a new tank.

[Bill S]

The best solution is a BUNCH of water changes. Go get 2 buckets of salt. If you insist upon "old water", I change about 28 gallons a week in my 215 - but won't be changing it until Monday night, probably.

[Texreefer]

The only MIRIACLE cure in salt water is TIME,, I would get rid of the lionfish and keep doing small water changes and do some reading on what fish might be apropriate for that size tank. nothing can substitute for a good book.. if you want some solid basics on marine aquariums with no frills, try Martin Moes's Marine Aquarium reference. it is a bit dated but has excellent material, an essential piece of my library. maybe someone else on here has a good choice that is newer.

[Bill S]

I have a POSSIBLE solution - but we are going out of town this weekend...

Come by, and pick up one of my Hiatt Torpedoes. Go up to CB Pets, and pick up some Right Start bacteria. Plumb it up to your tank - probably about $10 in pvc parts from HD or do it with 1" tubing - I have SOME, and supply a decent sized pump. I have one you can borrow, but it might take some work to plumb it and 's only about 800gph. That MIGHT work... If you want to try it, you'll need to come by before about 3:30 today... or, I might be able to work something out with my neighbor, she works for me and takes care of our fish & dogs when we are gon. Richard and Mark up at CB can help you with the concept... My cell # is 663.8079. BTW, this process cured 200# of live rock overnight for me...

[erick]

Yes, Ace is correct, You must use more than 1 dose of Bio-Spira, depending upon water quality...(test, test,test, and test again...) Get rid of the overload of fish, and start again... Good Luck!

[Richard]

I'm assuming you are having ammonia/nitrite issues correct?

Biospira will work fine but as mentioned you will have to use above the recommended amount (2-3x). A better product IMO is TLC which is just another brand of nitrifying bacteria. I have had the same results from it as I had from Biospira. The reason I say it is better is because of price, $12 for a bottle that treats 240 gallons versus alot more for Biospira. The thing to remember about these products is that they are just a live bacteria culture not a chemical additive, therefore you cannot ovedose them. For both, the recommended amounts assume you have a new tank, fake decor (not uncured liverock pumping out lots of ammonia), and you are only adding 1 or 2 fish. That is why you need to way overdose these products.

The Right Now Bacteria is supposed to work fine as far as ammonia & nitrite go without the torpedos and carbon. Although I have never tried it for that purpose. It is a more temporary fix though as the RN bacteria (bacillus species) will not permanently survive without the carbon media so they will eventually be outcompeted by the natural nitrifying bacteria according to the manufacturer.

When we first started up our 125's we stocked them, added probably 1/2 gallon of TLC and they were cycled. Never saw any ammonia or nitrite.

[mkengr45]

when you say 47 gallon column tank, what exactly are the dimensions? I am hoping it is not the tank I saw a while back on craiglslist (terrible shape for SW).

[Ram_Puppy]

I agree that Bstreeps torpedo is a great way to go for filtration on a Fish only tank and you should definately look into it, Richard showed me how to modify a filstar canister and that worked out great using the HIATT method as well. somethign you should seriously consider considering your stocking.

I would really be worried about the lion in that tank, if it's a column, and the dimensions are along what I think they are, it's going to be very cramped for that lion... I would suggest returning it and getting a dwarf species of lion if you can.

[Hotrod32487]

Even with Bio Spira and that stuff arent you supposed to wait a day or two? I say, since the fish store is partly at fault for selling you these fish you should take them back and ask them if they could hold on to them for you for a little while until you get your tank ready for them. I dont know anything about lion fish, but i do know that people on here know what they are talking about so i would take their advice and get something else... Best of luck to you

[erikharrison]

i think the tank is 18x18, but I read a post about someone having high nitrate problems, and Ace mentioned to him about his level of sand.... Also, I met this guy who told me he's got 16 seahorses in a 29 gallon, he said to definitely get a protein skimmer and he told me about this little gem, the Berlin airlift (airstone skimmer). Holy crap.. so i added biospira yesterday, another 10 lbs of live rock, a new bag of sand and BADDA BING, instant fish health!!! My lionfish has been looking good recently, but today is the first time hes STAYED SWIMMING. He stops now and then to chill a bit, but then in all of his glory he's back up swimming pretty as ever. It's been almost a month, and I'll tell you this, I have spent money money money money saving my fish. I told my girlfriend like this; "Essentially I feel that I am responsible for the lives of those lil guys.... I would feel terrible if I knew that money would solve the issue, and I had it to spend but I chose not to instead of saving a life that completely depends on me for its survival"
I think I'm a good daddy...
Love, peace and chicken grease!

[caferacermike]

But yet you still ignore the advice to get rid of that poor little lion fish. One day your lion fish will be almost 14" tall, long and wide.. Or instead it will suffer from not being able to grow properly. Next money pit needs to be a 100g tank. Or trade it out for a fumanchu dwarf.

You will come to absolutely hate that $10 airlfit skimmer. The lime wood stones need to be constantly changed and aren't cheap. Start planning on buying something nicer like a needlewheel impeller type skimmer.

[jroescher]

spent money money money money


It doesn't stop! Welcome to the addiction.

[loans_n_fishes]

Here is what I would do:

1. Do a water change (like 50%)

2. Add Amquel plus to bind the ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate

3. Add as much biospira/tlc as you can afford!

4. Take the lionfish back (you might want to do this at the same time that you buy the biospira and amquel...so number 1A)

I believe there are 2 reasons people are telling you to return the lion. One, it will eventually be too big for your system. Two, they are VERY messy and can add LOTS of ammonia to your system very quickly.

I think your best chance to save your tank is to do the above steps. Biospira has saved my hide before, too. I have seen it work almost immediately!

[loans_n_fishes]

Also, I met this guy who told me he's got 16 seahorses in a 29 gallon, he said to definitely get a protein skimmer and he told me about this little gem, the Berlin airlift (airstone skimmer).

This disturbs me! I am not sure I would take too much advice from this guy. Please refer him to seahorse.org. He should only have a couple of pairs in a tank that size! Even if his water is in good condition, that is not enough room for those horsies! Plus, as I understand, that skimmer is not a great one.

I just set up my seahorse tank and it has lots of room (I only have 1 pair in a 20x18x32 tank). If he wants to sell some of them, I may be able to take some off his hands. (I would need more info on the horses first, of course). Also, Jose (seamonkey) has a seahorse system that is really nice I hear.

Please please please...urge your friend to sell all but 4 of thoses horses!

I see your tank is doing better! :) That's fantastic! :D :D :D

[Bill S]

I agree. 16 seahorses and a recommendation on a Berlin skimmer. The skimmer technology for them came out in 1971!

[Richard]

Actually those little counter current wood airstone skimmers worked really well if you didn't mind constantly tweaking them and replacing the stupid airstones. I didn't know anyone still made them though. This type was my first skimmer and my "advanced" book at the time said skimmers helped alot because all the bubbles vented off ammonia LOL.

[erikharrison]

I got some nasty water off my first little cup o'crap, and it seems to work well!