Bacteria

[ninjastar]

What is the best way to get more bacteria within the tank> I been using stress zyme but I heard that theirs something better than that. Is their really something better? Reason being is that my tank has been setup since march 13 and my nitrite and nitrate is high. And heres a list of I have been doing to try and keep it low.

-10%wc every other day
-adding amquel
-adding stress zyme
-adding api water conditioner-> going to switch to prime after I finish the bottel

 

[KAWAMIKIE]

Cutting back on feeding will help.

 

[bomber]

I would do 50% WC everyday til the Nitrites went down.

 

[ninjastar]

I would do 50% WC everyday til the Nitrites went down.

Thats too much water and I heard doing a dramatic chage will damage the fish.

Also is it okay to feed ciclids once a day good?

 

[SeaweedPimp]

Thats too much water and I heard doing a dramatic chage will damage the fish.

Also is it okay to feed ciclids once a day good?

Nitrates "damage the fish" . Water changes wont. Just dont stress the fish while you're performing W/C's, AKA dumping 2 gallons of water in the tank in under 2 seconds.

Get your water clean bro. Its for the fishes best interest.

I also think you might be dumping too many chemicals into your tank. All you need is to take the chlorine out and hope your ph is right. (ive never had ph problems, you might)

Time builds bacteria. Skrew chemicals.

 

[VerdantGreen]

Nitrates "damage the fish" . Water changes wont. Just dont stress the fish while you're performing W/C's, AKA dumping 2 gallons of water in the tank in under 2 seconds.

Get your water clean bro. Its for the fishes best interest.

I also think you might be dumping too many chemicals into your tank. All you need is to take the chlorine out and hope your ph is right. (ive never had ph problems, you might)

Time builds bacteria. Skrew chemicals.

Agreed. I've done 75% changes on tanks before with no problems. Sometimes it takes a while for a tank to cycle. You can speed up the process somewhat with higher temps, better flow/aeration, seeding with established media, etc. but in the end it's just a waiting game. A month is not all that long for an initial cycle.

 

[ninjastar]

Agreed. I've done 75% changes on tanks before with no problems. Sometimes it takes a while for a tank to cycle. You can speed up the process somewhat with higher temps, better flow/aeration, seeding with established media, etc. but in the end it's just a waiting game. A month is not all that long for an initial cycle.

How would I seed the tank. Also I have 3 power heads in the tank 1 400gph and 2 200gph. And then I have a magnum 350 and a sump with a return pump of 500gph.

 

[mgk]

bacteria in ordinary freshwater tanks don't remove nitrates only nitrites and ammonia.

 

[Lupin]

bacteria in ordinary freshwater tanks don't remove nitrates only nitrites and ammonia.

Which bacteria? You discounted the anaerobic bacteria which does convert nitrate into nitrogen gas, the final byproduct of the nitrogen cycle.

 

[Lupin]

Thats too much water and I heard doing a dramatic chage will damage the fish.

Also is it okay to feed ciclids once a day good?

A dramatic change certainly will harm your fish especially if you are changing the water irregularly instead of consistently however a fish used to frequent water changes, tend to be healthier than those kept in substandard conditions. No point why you have to worry about large frequent water changes if you are quite consistent in its maintenance otherwise take it slow first by pulling out a small portion of the water in the first few days and progressively increase the water volume in the following days. This will give your fish time to adjust well to the changes.

Once a day feeding is fine provided your fish are already adults. Young fish should be fed almost frequently otherwise you risk stunting them in the process as they are unable to gather the proper nutrients in order for them to develop properly. You can still compensate their additional wastes with upgraded filtration systems and frequent water changes.