Quote:
Originally Posted by oneidkat
I've added a product called CYCLE because my son rinsed our water filter in FRESH water rather than tank water during our last water change and I worried there may be a chance my tank is going to recycle. It's been a week since that episode and no change in quality aside from the phospates which I really do believe I am responsible for things are fine... Is it true though that it can take more than a week to begin recycling and I may not see any changes yet?
I would not use the Cycle product. Its going to give you false readings and mess with your cycle. Most folks here do not use that product.
So far the fish all seem to be acting normally, the neons dulled a bit when they were first added but now they're a lovely bright colour again. Another question I have is how long before I'll start seeing a drop in water quality because of the extra fish? With regard to over stocking what precisely is the major issue? Is it that the fish will be stressed without enough room or is the issue water quality... If it is quality and I manage to keep my tank in tip top shape will the fish be ok until I can get a new tank for them? If it's space can I do any thing in the interum to help the fish cope? |
G'morning
IMO your tank is going through a 'mini cycle' due to the added fish and the filter rinse. Since you have had it running for 5 years, hopefully you have enough beneficial bacteria in the tank now and it will not take long to get it back to a normal cycle. If it was just the filter media being rinsed in tap water, it would most likely take a few days. With the added fish in there now, along with the filter media mishap, you will have more ammonia in the tank and that will have to produce more bacteria to compensate. My guess is that it will probably take a week to get back to normal.
Do you have testing kit available? I would do tests more often to see where you are in the mini cycle and also to tell when you need to do a water change, which will have to be done now more than you are used to doing.
Glad to hear that you are going to get another tank.. hopefully soon for the happiness of your fish.
To answer the question whether it is a water quality issue or the not having enough room for your fish, it is both. Having too many fish in the tank will also stress out the fish. They like to be able to have the room to move around with out getting into some one else's territory where the aggression will start. Its sort of like being stuck in a elevator with too many people. You can do it for a short time.. but in the long run it sure gets stuffy in there!
~ kate
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Even with very frequent water changes, it is hard to keep so many fish in that tank. Not to mention that the Rainbow shark will start snacking on the Neons pretty soon. Please take the Tetras back.
