established tank changed over for a red tail catfish (how long with no fish ?)

[sirio1977]

hi hope someone can help.I have just changed my setup from a Malawi tank running 3 ext filters took all the fish out coral sand rock etc then done a 70 % water change to bring my ph down added sand and wood to help lower my ph tank has been running with no fish for a week and then I was told if the filters have not been fed since you took all your fish out chances are all the good munchers will all be gone now.so I tested my water ph still a bit high at 7.8ppm ammonia 0ppm nitrite 0ppm nitrate 20ppm this has been my readings before I took my fish out aswell so the only change is in my ph but if all the bacteria in the filters were gone would it not re cycle the tank and give me high ammonia and nitrite readings ?

 

[skjl47]

Hello; I think the beneficial bacteri (bb) are tough and seem to have been kept wet the entire time. There may be a reduction in the population size from a reduction in the amount of their food (ammonia) but some bb colonies are likely to be viable. You do not mention if there are other ammonia producers in the tank such as snails. There may have been some organic decay of left over food and other organic material during the period. Even so the remaining bb will repopulate the tank fairly quickly. I suppose that you could add some pure ammonia from a bottle for a couple of days to boost the bb population. A few smaller fish could be housed in the meantime for the purpose of ammonia production. If you have access to additional tanks you could take some established media loaded with bb from them when ready to add the new fish.

It may be that the tank is ready enough to take the new fish with little issue. The bb population will go thru an adjustment period untill there is a balance with the new fish. Should an ammonia spike happen there are steps you can take to dilute it or treat for it.

Here is a link to an article about the process. Perhaps it will help.
http://www.americanaquariumproducts.com/nitrogen_cycle.html

Good luck

 

[E.C.]

Well you could leave a piece of fish meat / shrimp meat with a cone feeder so that the needed ammonia for the BB will be enough for the BB to stand strong, and as you've said you're preparing it for a RTC which will be a lot of bio load for the said tank, I think having it cycled further and leaving it as it is will make a stable colony for BB.

 

[E.C.]

Here is a link to an article about the process. Perhaps it will help.
http://www.americanaquariumproducts.com/nitrogen_cycle.html

I found it informative than my source in my links. bookmarked!

 

[sirio1977]

Thank you I was expecting a bit of die back but wasn't worried in the slightest but when I was told that I started second guessing myself thinking god what if im wrong lol.sorry forgot I do have 2 wee tiny convicts that were hiding in the rocks there about an inch now thought I had them all away lol need to take them out before he goes in encase he grabs 1 and chokes.Hopefully should be ok dealing with any fluctuations when keeping Malawi's water quality is a must well a must for all fish think the main challenge in keeping my water is going to be lowering my ph never tried to get my ph down always went up the way.That was a really good read even read it twice to absorb it in cant thank you enough for putting my mind back to rest hopefully all will be ok thanks again lads

 

[Drstrangelove]

If you are doubtful at all, you can always drop some ammonia in the tank and see if it all gets converted. Regardless, do take reading after your first feeding of the RTC and keep your first feeding relatively small. Don't drop the neighbor's cat in the tank right off the bat!

 

[oneyedfish]

Use Seachem Stability according to the label as if setting up a new tank. This will eliminate any issues of re-cycling. You can add fish as soon as you add the stability. Be sure to follow the instructions, and you'll be fine.


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