Im new and need help

bethkira2000 · 01/13/2008, 08:11 AM

Hello,
I have a new 55g tank, I have had it running with a fishless cyle for two weeks, I used a raw dead shrimp to start the cyle, I had tested my tank 2 days ago and the ammonia was at 1.0, now the ammonia is at 0 and I tested it twice this morning why would this happen?

NitrItes-10.0
NitrAtes-40
pH-7.8
Alkalinityis between-180 and 300
SG-is 1.026
and the temp is 78 and steady

kzickovich · 01/13/2008, 08:37 AM

sounds like it's still cycling give it time it will get there. don't put anything in until 0 across the board trits trats and amm.

Potsy · 01/13/2008, 08:37 AM

Once the bacterial colonies have become established, ammonia levels can plummet quickly. You might be the first person to actually worry about low ammonia levels - looks like your cycle is moving along!

Try to get your pH up to around 8.2 - 8.4. The rotting organics in an aquarium can cause the pH to drop a bit. Once your cycle is complete, a few water changes will set everything in balance. Be sure to check your calcium level.

bethkira2000 · 01/13/2008, 09:08 AM

I have a huge brown diatom bloom right now, and some green algea that well looks like grass. I also have I think an aiptasia too. Should I take out the rotting shrimp or leave it in there?

phenom5 · 01/13/2008, 09:15 AM

I would take the shrimp out. It sounds like your cycle is moving along.

I wouldn't worry about the algae, it's normal for a new tank to have algae blooms.

I would start battling the aiptasia though. You can use Joe's juice or Kalk paste, or you can inject them directly with lemon juice. You may not be able to rid yourself completely of the little bastards, but you should be able to reduce the numbers. Then, once your cycle is complete, you can add 2 or 3 peppermints to finish off the job.

Hope that makes sence, I've got too much blood in my coffe system right now.

zotzer · 01/13/2008, 09:15 AM

At this point, you don't need the shrimp. I would, however, deal with the aiptasia while your tank is inhabitant-free.

The diatoms and hair algae are normal, but manually removing whatever hair algae you can will help move things along more quickly.

Tracy

bethkira2000 · 01/13/2008, 09:32 AM

Okay, I unfortunatley have two blue leg hermit that my Petco gave me thinking they were just empty shells, will they do anything about the algea, I have fed them with seaweed salad sheets. I also found this morning I think a brittle sea star.

Potsy · 01/13/2008, 10:30 AM

Well, that's not really unfortunate. They're omnivores - they might eat some plant material but they definitely prefer meat. Some people stay away from hermits because they'll prey upon beneficial sand critters and, at times, snails. Brittle stars are a beneficial addition.

bethkira2000 · 01/13/2008, 11:35 AM

what should I feed them?

Sk8r · 01/13/2008, 11:47 AM

They've probably been living off that dead shrimp.

Get a little Formula One pellet food.

bethkira2000 · 01/13/2008, 01:29 PM

okay thank you, I am going to get another test result to make sure that I got the right reading, it just doesn't make sense, that it happened so quick

01/13/2008, 08:11 AM	#1
bethkira2000 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Maine Posts: 38	Im new and need help Hello, I have a new 55g tank, I have had it running with a fishless cyle for two weeks, I used a raw dead shrimp to start the cyle, I had tested my tank 2 days ago and the ammonia was at 1.0, now the ammonia is at 0 and I tested it twice this morning why would this happen? NitrItes-10.0 NitrAtes-40 pH-7.8 Alkalinityis between-180 and 300 SG-is 1.026 and the temp is 78 and steady

01/13/2008, 08:37 AM	#2
kzickovich Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Zion Il Posts: 959	sounds like it's still cycling give it time it will get there. don't put anything in until 0 across the board trits trats and amm. __________________ Ken Current Tank Info: 90 Gal mixed reef 55 Gallon basement pump up Sump 25 Gal fuge 2 Mp40 DIY led light fixture Bubble King Mini 200 Gen2 skimmer BRS Duel reactor

01/13/2008, 09:15 AM	#5
phenom5 Unregistered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Arizona Posts: 5,096	I would take the shrimp out. It sounds like your cycle is moving along. I wouldn't worry about the algae, it's normal for a new tank to have algae blooms. I would start battling the aiptasia though. You can use Joe's juice or Kalk paste, or you can inject them directly with lemon juice. You may not be able to rid yourself completely of the little bastards, but you should be able to reduce the numbers. Then, once your cycle is complete, you can add 2 or 3 peppermints to finish off the job. Hope that makes sence, I've got too much blood in my coffe system right now. __________________ Rob Current Tank Info: DSA 155 Pro \| ATI Sunpower \| ATB 840 v2 \| Apex \| Wav

01/13/2008, 11:47 AM	#10
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	They've probably been living off that dead shrimp. Get a little Formula One pellet food. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

01/13/2008, 08:37 AM	#3
Potsy Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Kinnelon, NJ Posts: 1,827	Once the bacterial colonies have become established, ammonia levels can plummet quickly. You might be the first person to actually worry about low ammonia levels - looks like your cycle is moving along! Try to get your pH up to around 8.2 - 8.4. The rotting organics in an aquarium can cause the pH to drop a bit. Once your cycle is complete, a few water changes will set everything in balance. Be sure to check your calcium level.

01/13/2008, 09:08 AM	#4
bethkira2000 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Maine Posts: 38	I have a huge brown diatom bloom right now, and some green algea that well looks like grass. I also have I think an aiptasia too. Should I take out the rotting shrimp or leave it in there?

01/13/2008, 09:15 AM	#6
zotzer Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 346	At this point, you don't need the shrimp. I would, however, deal with the aiptasia while your tank is inhabitant-free. The diatoms and hair algae are normal, but manually removing whatever hair algae you can will help move things along more quickly. Tracy

01/13/2008, 09:32 AM	#7
bethkira2000 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Maine Posts: 38	Okay, I unfortunatley have two blue leg hermit that my Petco gave me thinking they were just empty shells, will they do anything about the algea, I have fed them with seaweed salad sheets. I also found this morning I think a brittle sea star.

01/13/2008, 10:30 AM	#8
Potsy Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Kinnelon, NJ Posts: 1,827	Well, that's not really unfortunate. They're omnivores - they might eat some plant material but they definitely prefer meat. Some people stay away from hermits because they'll prey upon beneficial sand critters and, at times, snails. Brittle stars are a beneficial addition.

01/13/2008, 11:35 AM	#9
bethkira2000 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Maine Posts: 38	what should I feed them?

01/13/2008, 01:29 PM	#11
bethkira2000 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Maine Posts: 38	okay thank you, I am going to get another test result to make sure that I got the right reading, it just doesn't make sense, that it happened so quick