View Full Version : I cannot seem to get my planted tank cycled,can someone tell me what Im doing wrong?
seshat
09-23-2012, 12:34 AM
I've had this tank set up with plants which are doing well, with heater and filtration and everything but fish sense the middle of august. I can't seem to get the ammo to spike or the nitrites/nitrates to rise. I went to my LFS and they told me to use this brown liquid that smells AWEFUL in it for three days and that it would start the correct bacteria growing. So I did that and the ammo hasn't spiked! My test kit uses the drops instead of the sticks you dip the water, and each time I've tested it it has shown readings between the 0 and the .25
I think the liquid was called Microsorb or something like that, if that helps.
I have every kind of algae growing in this tank you could imagine. From green web stuff to shelf looking things, to green tubes of algae hanging off my drift wood to brown hairy looking algae on my rocks. Last week there was even some blue green in there. This is the first tank I have cycled, my other tank I just got lucky with because I didn't even know what cycling meant and I put discus (this was a year ago) in it immediately and they are still alive and healthy today.
On the second week I tried putting some tetra's in it for a fish cycle. Didn't work, they got fin rot and died within days and the water changes I had to do to keep the ammo low enough for them to survive the day stopped bacteria and the like from growing.
It's been about a month and I can't figure out what the problem is. Does anyone have any ideas?
http://forum.simplydiscus.com/showthread.php?40119-cycling-my-tank
http://forum.simplydiscus.com/showthread.php?25298-Fishless-aquarium-cycle
This may help
Orange Crush
09-23-2012, 01:32 AM
I've had this tank set up with plants which are doing well, with heater and filtration and everything but fish sense the middle of august. I can't seem to get the ammo to spike or the nitrites/nitrates to rise. I went to my LFS and they told me to use this brown liquid that smells AWEFUL in it for three days and that it would start the correct bacteria growing. So I did that and the ammo hasn't spiked! My test kit uses the drops instead of the sticks you dip the water, and each time I've tested it it has shown readings between the 0 and the .25
I think the liquid was called Microsorb or something like that, if that helps.
I have every kind of algae growing in this tank you could imagine. From green web stuff to shelf looking things, to green tubes of algae hanging off my drift wood to brown hairy looking algae on my rocks. Last week there was even some blue green in there. This is the first tank I have cycled, my other tank I just got lucky with because I didn't even know what cycling meant and I put discus (this was a year ago) in it immediately and they are still alive and healthy today.
On the second week I tried putting some tetra's in it for a fish cycle. Didn't work, they got fin rot and died within days and the water changes I had to do to keep the ammo low enough for them to survive the day stopped bacteria and the like from growing.
It's been about a month and I can't figure out what the problem is. Does anyone have any ideas?
Micro lift?
Blue green algae could actually be cyanobacteria which is deadly to fish and needs to be treated with antibiotics. It is caused by too much light and not enough oxygen. So make some changes to your set up. Use fertalizers to feed your plants, no more than 8 hours of light and add an airstone or two (depending on how big your tank is).
Sometimes it takes up to 6-8 weeks to fully cycle
DiscusDrew
09-23-2012, 02:29 AM
I agree about the amount of crap you have growing in there.... Did you start with a perfectly clean system??? because honestly it doesnt really sound that way, it would appear the plants were not sterilized before intro into the tank, which is unfortunate because it kind of defeats the purpose of starting brand new filtration media if your just going to bring crap into it right away.... Anyway, what are you adding as an ammonia source???? Ammonia cant spike, and BB cant grow if you dont have a source of ammonia, which then produces nitrites, and finally nitrates, you get the idea. In a plantless cycle normally we would use pure ammonia, Im curious what you are using. No food (ammonia) = no BB.
dpete9
09-23-2012, 07:26 AM
I believe Cyanobacteria is pretty common in newly established planted tanks. Don't fret, you did the right thing and didn't dump any discus in there yet. give it some more time, maybe treat the cyanobacteria (blue-green slime) with antibiotics, 8 hrs of light, and wait a bit more until the algae is under control. If it were me.. I'd leave the water as is, no changing it for another week, fix the cyanobacteria, do a large water change and wait another week to test.
Just my thoughts.
eaglesfan3000
10-07-2012, 10:45 AM
This is what I did. Drain it bleach everything, fill it back up and purchase some discus from Mike Beals or Kenny and ask for a cycled sponge filter. Then your good to go.
Elliots
10-07-2012, 05:24 PM
Buy some TetraSafeStart (Bacteria in the bottle), or similar. Get a few fish, as they recommend, I think 1" to 10-15 gallons, and you should be good quickly even with the plants!
Discus-Hans
10-08-2012, 03:05 AM
This is what I did. Drain it bleach everything, fill it back up and purchase some discus from Mike Beals or Kenny and ask for a cycled sponge filter. Then your good to go.
I don't really believe in this, think by the time the sponge arrives not many bacteria will be alive anymore,
Hans
Big-Ken
10-08-2012, 05:33 PM
what are you adding as an ammonia source???? Ammonia cant spike, and BB cant grow if you dont have a source of ammonia, which then produces nitrites, and finally nitrates, you get the idea. In a plantless cycle normally we would use pure ammonia, Im curious what you are using. No food (ammonia) = no BB.
X2, the magic ammonia fairy doesn't just come along and poof you have ammonia you have to add it. Cyano algae is not normal for a new planted tank, your lack of nitrates due to having an uncycled tank is what's causing it
tim_s
10-23-2012, 10:37 AM
I've had this tank set up with plants which are doing well, with heater and filtration and everything but fish sense the middle of august. I can't seem to get the ammo to spike or the nitrites/nitrates to rise. I went to my LFS and they told me to use this brown liquid that smells AWEFUL in it for three days and that it would start the correct bacteria growing. So I did that and the ammo hasn't spiked! My test kit uses the drops instead of the sticks you dip the water, and each time I've tested it it has shown readings between the 0 and the .25
I think the liquid was called Microsorb or something like that, if that helps.
I have every kind of algae growing in this tank you could imagine. From green web stuff to shelf looking things, to green tubes of algae hanging off my drift wood to brown hairy looking algae on my rocks. Last week there was even some blue green in there. This is the first tank I have cycled, my other tank I just got lucky with because I didn't even know what cycling meant and I put discus (this was a year ago) in it immediately and they are still alive and healthy today.
On the second week I tried putting some tetra's in it for a fish cycle. Didn't work, they got fin rot and died within days and the water changes I had to do to keep the ammo low enough for them to survive the day stopped bacteria and the like from growing.
It's been about a month and I can't figure out what the problem is. Does anyone have any ideas?
This does not sound accurate, if you are feeding and adding fish including the death of the fish you have a decent source of ammonia all on it's own!
1: What is your water change strategy?
2: What test kit are you using?
3: You get an ammonia level of 0.25 and -- the following day it is back to 0? - What is your expectations?
rerdragon1977
10-24-2012, 06:51 AM
When i set up my tank i had all kinds of algae in the beginning. So much to the point that i was considering starting over. A good simple way to attack the algae is a controlled blackout. do a cleaning and turn off your lights and C02 (if using) Wrap a heavy comforter (blanket) over the tank so it COMPLETLY blacks out the tank. Do not even look at the tank for 4 days. When you remove on the 4th day all of your plants will be standing straight up but your algae should be almost all gone. I had a wicked case of beard algae and this was the only thing that got rid of it. In regards to fast cycling there are all kinds of chemials out there but i think most of them are bunk. just be patient and it will work out but expect a long cycle if you are going fishless and not adding any kind of ammonia. Im not sure if this is an option but getting some mulm from a friend who keeps tanks or some used filter media can help.
pastry
10-24-2012, 07:57 AM
rerdragon, I've never had that problem, but I'm definitely writing down what you wrote just in case it ever happens! that sounds like my sort remedy.
Most of the bottle bacteria for cycling is junk. Use PurePond. It's great, and Inland Empire Discus can get it to you quickly. You won't need to add ammonia using this, and can just add the fish. I'd get the algae under control first though. The blue green (cyanobacteria) can be reduced by taking a syringe and filling it with Hydrogen peroxide and squirting it directly on the areas affected. You will also want to clear away as much of the other algae you see hanging from things, as it will start to cover your plants and you'll never get rid of it before it chokes them off. I'm not sure what experience you have with planted tanks, but a good start would be to look through one of the forums dedicated to planted tanks like rexgrigg.com. You'll find solutions and ways to prevent all of the things you listed. Good luck :)
rerdragon1977
10-24-2012, 10:41 AM
http://aquariumalgae.blogspot.ca/
everything you need to know, possibly more
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.2 Copyright © 2024 vBulletin Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.