Has anyone had a tank that seems like it won't complete it's cycle

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
Yeah ... I'd say a mix of circulation even as much as surface movement .. you still have a hetertrophic bacterial bloom so there is excess organics not broken down and possibly insufficient oxygen ... what temp have you set to? Sometimes help to drop the temp a few degrees within fishes happy range
 
If it was me .. I'd cut feeding (stop) back for a week or two add a tank cycler like easy life start up and maybe easy life fluid filter media liquid and cut water changes way back to allow tank to cycle .. then check temp and circulation and that you are using enough dechlorinator
 
Ok so I raised the spray bars so there breaking the surface and moved the return of the 304b behind the air so it pushes the bubbles. Hopefully I can get this this thing situated. Only time will tell now
 
I'd also think about putting sponges on the intakes as pre-filters. It will help keeping the media in the filters clean, reduce the regularity of cleaning/disturbing the filters but the sponges must be washed at least weekly. They are also great at clearing the water.. I use large medium density blocks, cut them in rectangular shape, make a hole (not all the way through) and insert on the intakes. The media inside the filters must remain clean, hence pre-filters. All these will give you a more permanent solution.

Do not cut back on water changes, increase them while the tank is cycling...If anything, do not disturb the filters unless they're clogged with detritus...
White cloudy water is caused by a type of heterotrophic bacteria that is capable of living in aerobic and anaerobic conditions. It normally resides in the substrate or dirty filters and one must have disturbed either to get that water. It multiplies in a matter of hours when its released in the water column. It consumes a lot of oxygen and out-competes obligate aerobs like the nitrifying bacteria for available surfaces and oxygen. It will clear up itself but its a sign of things not being great. Its not a bad bacteria to have in one's substrate when living in anaerobic conditions but not in the filters. That's why I always do have pre-filters and I recommend everyone does too. You need oxygen and clean filter media.
 
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Cleaning filters and excessive 50% water changes can hamper s tank bedding in ... if you're cleaning the media every week before the tank has cycled you are causing problems ... smaller water changes and less feeding are a much more reliable way to cycle a tank ... obviously keep monitoring nitrite and ammonia but u should not have spikes if you stop feeding and have cleaned everywhere to allow you too cycle properly
 
Cleaning filters and excessive 50% water changes can hamper s tank bedding in

I agree with cleaning the filters but changing the water is essential and will not hamper your cycle. What is the logic of your idea because I do not see any benefit but on the contrary, dangerous advise here.. 50% water change is not excessive by the way...
 
I never change more than 30% at a time ... it's common for people who do more and don't vacuum adequately to have heterotrophic bacterial blooms which can release large amounts of ammonia and nitrite from available organic matter into the tank .. it's also a bigger change in water chemistry and temperature ...imo 30% with thorough vacuuming is a good approach if your tank isn't stable ... obviously monitoring is key
 
That's a lot of fish for a 180 mate, stop feeding them for a bit and follow what people have said about breaking the water surface if you are using a spray bar point it upwards so the jets come out of the water creating as much surface movement as possible, it makes a lot of noise but does the job... The water surface in your tank should look like a fast flowing river,,
 
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I allso agree with the need to change water 50% is fine, people get worried about the amount of water they change in there tanks per week!!!I i do 70% water changes in all 9 of my tanks every week and have done for last 2 years, if I have some spare time I would change it more then once a week,,
 
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