steveangela1

Okay, Last week on Thursday I cleaned our 55 gallon tank, vaccumed it, rearranged the rocks (its an african cichlid mbuna tank).
Friday morning we had planned to go buy more cichlids (slowly stocking it this was our last group), all that week the nitrites were perfect, I did the water change just because it was due for one. Even the week before the nitrites only got up to 0.25 at the highest.

Saturday started this:
2/16 ph 7.8, nitrate 10, nitrite 1, ammonia 0
I did a 50% water change like I was told to do.

2/17 ph 7.8, nitrate 10, nitrite .50, ammonia 0
another 50% water change

2/18 ph 7.9, nitrate 10, nitrite 5!!!!!!, ammonia 0.
another 50% water change

2/19 ph 8.0 nitrate 10, nitrite 1, ammoina 0.25,
another 50% water change

2/20 (today) ph 8.0, nitrate 10 nitrite 1, ammonia 0
another 50% water change


The fish look healthy and are eating normally, I remove any uneaten food as fast as I notice they are done eating.

The only thing I think I did that I shouldn't have done at the same time as getting new fish: We got rid of the cheapo filter on the back that came w/ the tank and bought a penguin biowheel made for a 70 gallon tank. However, it had 2 spots for cartriges so I took the old ones out of the old filter and put them in the biowheel until the others get caught up w/ bacteria.

Am I doing any of this wrong? OR should I just be patient and let the bacteria build up and cycle out the extra waste the new guys/gals are puttiong out?

SereneReyn

i think you just need to wait a little while (sounds like you are), but if it were me... i'd go ahead and keep the cheapo filter on it too (i typically go with 3x what the box recommends). if you're using the carbon - that could be part of the problem... take the carbon out and maybe temporarily replace it with fresh carbon- until your readings are normal and your bacteria colony is established. then i'd go without carbon altogether.

Peterpiper

Sounds like you are going through a mini cycle due to the new fish and a change of filter.
The new fish would have increased the bio load in your tank, and changing to a different filter, you may have damaged some of the bacteria in the old filter.
I would keep up with the water changes, it won't take long for it to come good.

susitna-flower

Hi Angela, Sounds like this tank is really coming along for you....I know water changes are a pain, but well worth it. Justs sounds like the cleaning disturbed some of the bacteria, they'll catch up fast.

Do you have 2 pleco's in the 55? What kind are they?

I would suggest if this is the case that plecos contribute a lot of waste, and only help clean algae and some "leftovers", IF you could just go back to one in this tank it would be best.

steveangela1

actually they killed one of the plecos about 2 weeks ago. The one I do have is a trinadad pleco, he is only about 4 inches long.

btw... I got in a hurry since its been over 12 hours since the water change, my nitrites were between 0-.25 the api master water was bluish just didn't match the card... so I am thinking .25 to be safe.... I think that if it is the same tomm, after a good water change things will start calming down?!!

oh yea i removed the only carbon filter in the tank on the eheim ecco about 2 weeks ago

steveangela1

I feel like celebrating my Ammonia and nitrites are down to 0 for three days now!!
My nitrates are 10, and ph is 8.... I think the aquarium/filters finally are settled w/ the new additions!

finmama

Yayy!!! lol