Breeding peppermints

[hinchles]

if i remember correctly you can get a build up of hydrogen sulphide (sulphate? note entirely sure dw is around here somewhere he'll know the exact gas he knows everything ) in the substrate from rotting food waste and poop etc.
this when disturbed and released into the water column is highly toxic to the fishies if you've got a deep gravel bed but only disturb the top few layers when vaccing you could have a build up further down or you've released a build up etc.

take the fishies out give the gravel a good mix up drag up everything from the bottom to the top etc really make a mess. drain the tank down and suck out all the stuff you've just dragged up from the bottom (believe me there'll be LOTS) refil allow to settle and you'll be good to go again.

 

[phear]

constant small waterchanges are the way to go when cycling a tank. big waterchanges will make problems worse.

the tank should be completly cycled in 4 weeks if you have still got ammonia problems at 6 weeks there is something seriously wrong!

have you been cleaning the filters regularly? they need time to colonise bacteria and cleaning them slow the process down alot!

 

[flame angel]

This is honestly ridiculous....ammonia still up.

Gonna thin out the layer of gravel - I need to do something, it's going nowhere. Can't be getting rid of too much nitrifying bacteria in the process cause there doesn't seem to bloody be any :wb:

 

[AusPleco]

Is there anything nasty hiding in your filter perhaps ?

 

[flame angel]

Only using air driven sponge filters, no where really for something to hide lol

 

[axle]

My advice would be to limit your gravel cleans and do not clean your sponges at all until ammonia is gone.
I have sponges in a couple of tanks and rarely do I clean them unless they really need it, Could there be a chance that you have too many sponge filters in the tank? Im no expert but maybe they simply are not getting enough waste in them to to work properly. I havnt read what size your tank is but just a thought.

 

[flame angel]

Haven't been cleaning filters at all so that can't be the problem.

Thinned out the gravel - will see how it goes and post back!

 

[phear]

there is no such thing as too much filtration.

i would strongly suggest adding an internal power filter and or canister filter,

also if you use a canister filter get some seachem purigen and seachem matrix and put that in too! purigen removes chemicals and heavy metals and is re chargable and matrix helps hold nitrates low!

it is just a matter of time for it to cycle the more you mess with it the longer it will take! (take this a lesson to not rush a tank next time)
the best way to start another tank is use 50% or more if you have it water from an aged tank, a filter and some gravel, wood plants from an existing tank and set it all up and leave running and feed as much food everyday that you think the fish your intending on putting in will eat and wait for ammonia and nitrites to be 0 and for your nitrate to start building up and this will mean the tank is 100% ready for your fish after a water change of 40% and nitrates are below 20 that is!

or if you didnt have a established tank you can take things from just set up and feed untill amm and nit are 0 and nitrate starts rising.

hope this is of some use to you and others!

 

[flame angel]

Seachem Purigen and Matrix won't help in this circumstance - matrix is just a media and purigen is just an expensive, less-efficient way to achieve the result of a water change.

This tank was not rushed - rather just an error of judgement (tank had been set up for years).

Oh and about using water from an established aquarium when setting up a new one to transfer bacteria over, many people seem to recommend it. I think this is pretty pointless - bacteria establishes on surfaces (primarily substrate and filter media), I doubt any measurable amount exists in the water column.

 

[phear]

matrix actually allows for denitrafying bacteria to establish in it so its not your average filter media! well worth the cash

purigen may also help with your ammonia problem too!

i just thought it must have been a new setup as its very rare to have ammonia spikes in an established tank which has been maintained properly unless it has not had fish in it for a while as the bacteria need waste to live.

 

[flame angel]

There is no need for denitrifying bacteria in this instance though, I don't have a problem with nitrate.

True, but I would rather just do water changes over going out and buying stuff like zeolite to chuck in.

The complications with the tank set up were mentioned in a previous thread (don't worry I can't be bothered reading entire threads either lol).

 

[phear]

no worries just trying to help!

the main reason i suggested the matrix is so that if you are ever too busy to do water changes as sometimes life throws us oddballs it will help so you dont have to worry as much!

good luck!

 

[flame angel]

yeah true

thanks I shall post back!

cheers