Habitat - Indoor :: Tank setup problems

[Ryano]

Ok so I have my tank set up and going. Been going for about 3-4 weeks now. It's a 125 gallon with an FX6 set up like suggested in the other thread. A few days ago I tested the water and the ammonia was .25ppm, the nitrite was .5ppm and the nitrate was maybe a little more than 0. So I was reading and thought I should do a 25% water change. When I did the change I used prime for the water and I tested again a day later and the readings did not change. Now I have a little cloudiness to my water also which wasn't there before. I did some more reading and found out i should not change the water until the tank cycles which can take 4-6 weeks. So I guess I messed up and slowed down the process. So now I'm not sure what to do. It does have my turtle in it already and he seems fine.

[ljapa]

You are good, and the cloudiness can be a good sign. It's likely a bacterial bloom as the cycle is kicking in.

I know the advice is not to change water, but the bacteria involved in the aquarium cycle stick to surfaces--stuff in your filter, your substrate, even your glass. When I was cycling I did not change the water. Now, I wish I had. My ammonia readings got as high as 4 and my nitrite readings were higher than the chart. I should have changed.

Your readings are much lower. It's possible that by pulling some ammonia and nitrite out in the change, you've extended the total time for a full balance in bacteria. Nevertheless, you have nitrite and nitrate readings.

That means you have both kinds of bacteria, so you're well along in the cycle.

I wouldn't worry. And so long as the cloudiness doesn't last more than a few days, it's common during aquarium cycling.

[Ryano]

Ok tested again today PH was 7.4 , ammonia was almost 0 ppm, nitrite is deep purple possible over 5.0 ppm and nitrate has came up to close to 40 ppm. So I think that's good right the nitrite is high but the nitrate is coming up to fight it

[ljapa]

Not exactly fight it, but you are right. It is good.

Your ammonia is almost zero because you now have enough bacteria that consume ammonia and excrete nitrite to handle the bioload your turtle is dumping into the system.

Your nitrite is high because you don't yet have a large enough colony of the bacteria that eats nitrites and excretes nitrate, but then since you only just got the full complement of ammonia -> nitrite bacteria! those bacteria are only just now exposed to that full load of nitrite.

The really good news is that you are seeing nitrates go up, so your colony is eating the nitrite and growing.

Soon, you'll see zero on ammonia and nitrite and will remove nitrate via water changes.

I assume the cloudiness cleared?

[Ryano]

Unfortunately it was still cloudy today. But I don't know what could cause that besides a bloom because I have no substrate and the PH isn't outlandish

[ljapa]

Unfortunately it was still cloudy today. But I don't know what could cause that besides a bloom because I have no substrate and the PH isn't outlandish

I bet that's it. I have not experienced a cloudy bacterial bloom in the two tanks I've cycled, so the only experience I've had is reading about it.

Keep checking your numbers and keep us updated. Be prepared for very high nitrate levels when the cycle is complete and the need for a large water change.

EDIT: and your ph is fine. Mine varies from 7.6 to 8.2.

[Ryano]

How often do you suggest checking? Every other day? Or longer between

[Ryano]

Tested again today. Seems about the same for now ammonia is 0 for sure. Nitrite is above 5.0 and nitrate is around the 20 range. Just waiting for that nitrite to go down and the nitrate to go way up.

[devilduck]

FYI the nitrite reducing bacteria takes a while to grow. You can probably reduce your checks to every 3 days to a week.

[ljapa]

FYI the nitrite reducing bacteria takes a while to grow. You can probably reduce your checks to every 3 days to a week.

I think I'd check every day. I did in my first cycle, which also saw nitrite readings like yours. It dropped fast, like from off the charts to nothing in 12 hours.

If you are going to wait for further water changes until the cycle is complete, it's nice to catch it as soon as you can.

No need to test nitrate or ammonia, and the nitrite test is easy: 5 drops, one bottle. Plus, I guarantee once your cycle is complete, you'll rarely, if ever, use that nitrite test again.

[Ryano]

That's true. If I watch the nitrite, I'll know the nitrate without checking

[Ryano]

So when my nitrites go to 0 and I have the very high nitrate reading, how much of a water change is recommended when you say large?

[ljapa]

That partly depends on the nitrate reading. I like to aim for 20 at the highest, just before a water change. And do roughly weekly 25% changes.

As long as you don't have fish, you can easily do 50% or more. Just make sure you treat the water, preferably with carbon but if not with an aquarium water treatment like Prime. The chlorine or chloramine in your tap water can kill the bacteria you've spent all this time building up.

[Ryano]

Well still have the cloudiness and the nitrites are still high but I think it was a lighter purple on the test today so they may be coming down. I dunno what to do about the cloudiness though. I hate to do another water change until nitrates go up. I don't think the cloudiness is hurting anything though. The fish and turtle seem to act fine. I also don't want to clean the filter until it cycles. Filter is almost at a month now.

[ljapa]

Hang in there. If your nitrites are dropping, you're very close.