EEEK please help

[bigbadfish711]

You removed much of your bio-filter when you changed the substrate. Your tank is going through a mini-cycle. Do water changes and dose with Prime.

How long has your filters been running on this tank. I recently changed over my 55 from gravel to sand. All new sand and water. My filter is old and been running for years. I did not go through a mini cycle at all. Most of your bb is going to be in your filters. although bb is on every thing in your tank most of it will be in you filtration.

 

[BMcAfee]

Well the filters have been running for over a year, but I dont think that it is a mini cycle due to the new sub comeing pre-rinsed and containing BB already from the factory it was in the bag wet ready to go the water did cloud up but only for 4 hours or so they I turned back on the filtration and everything seemes fine untill today. Now I am thinking that it could have been all of the buffers that came with the sand in it. I did add some stress + to the water after topping it off last night. could there have been to many buffers in the water and that could have caused this? I only say this because after wc they seemed alot better and are now for the most part back to normal. oh and the water was crystal 8 hours after adding the sub in I was amazed at that.

 

[Tri-Fisher]

Do another water change, and make sure you filters are not clogged with sand. You will be ok.

 

[bigbadfish711]

Well the filters have been running for over a year, but I dont think that it is a mini cycle due to the new sub comeing pre-rinsed and containing BB already from the factory it was in the bag wet ready to go the water did cloud up but only for 4 hours or so they I turned back on the filtration and everything seemes fine untill today. Now I am thinking that it could have been all of the buffers that came with the sand in it. I did add some stress + to the water after topping it off last night. could there have been to many buffers in the water and that could have caused this? I only say this because after wc they seemed alot better and are now for the most part back to normal. oh and the water was crystal 8 hours after adding the sub in I was amazed at that.

Did you buy "live sand" from the pet store? I ask this because BB need air to survive and a food source. I doubt it would have enough of either of those in a bag for very long. Also I was not aware or a live sand for fresh water tanks or that you could use it in fw.

 

[screaminleeman]

Did you buy "live sand" from the pet store? I ask this because BB need air to survive and a food source. I doubt it would have enough of either of those in a bag for very long. Also I was not aware or a live sand for fresh water tanks or that you could use it in fw.

I've also seen, and used, these types of freshwater sand substrate claiming to contain BB. One such brand is even named "African cichlid sand". I have also used gravels for FW wet packed and claiming B.B.

I can easily believe that the wet bagged setup was insufficient to sustain any B.B. for very long, however I have to side with BMcAfee though on the availability of these products specifically for FW tank setups being extremely commonplace even if they indeed are of little to no value insofar as the beneficial bacteria claim. One thing I am uncertain of is if you are "confusing" the sand substrate that from my understanding BMcAfee is using with what is labeled as "live sand" in the same stores. Completely different and for the most part unrelated. The products that I am speaking of nowhere on the package are labeled "Live Sand", they just mention on the packaging that beneficial bacteria is contained in the product.

 

[bigbadfish711]

I've also seen, and used, these types of freshwater sand substrate claiming to contain BB. One such brand is even named "African cichlid sand". I have also used gravels for FW wet packed and claiming B.B.

I can easily believe that the wet bagged setup was insufficient to sustain any B.B. for very long, however I have to side with BMcAfee though on the availability of these products specifically for FW tank setups being extremely commonplace even if they indeed are of little to no value insofar as the beneficial bacteria claim. One thing I am uncertain of is if you are "confusing" the sand substrate that from my understanding BMcAfee is using with what is labeled as "live sand" in the same stores. Completely different and for the most part unrelated. The products that I am speaking of nowhere on the package are labeled "Live Sand", they just mention on the packaging that beneficial bacteria is contained in the product.

Thanks for sharing that info. I had never scene this sand with bb in the stores here.

 

[revlemmon]

....the water did cloud up but only for 4 hours or so they I turned back on the filtration and everything seemes fine untill today. .....

Do you mean that your turned off your filters for 4 hours? If so some the BB may have died off. Dose with Prime and keep up your water changes.

 

[m1ste2tea]

when I used to do such large water changes my fish would also breath that heavily right away but would calm down after a few hours. I try not to do anything over 30% water change now. then again I never lost any fish that way, it just scared me a bit every time.