29 Gallon Upgrade And Cycle

HI All,

I just upgraded from a 13 Gallon to a 29 Gallon 2 weeks ago. I moved all the decorations, fish (3 guppies and some fry, 3 danios), snails (2 nerite), shrimp (~150 neo yellows) and plants (big amazon sword, anacharis, java fern, and 5 marimo balls) over. I got a new Filter (Aquaclear 50) but I moved my old media (seachem matrix) over from the old tank that had been cycled for a year. New gravel. I also, moved all the water from the old tank then topped it off.

Since, I have had somewhat cloudy water, and ammonia is always at 0.25. No Nitrites, and nitrates are usually around 10 when I change the water, which I have been doing 5-7 gallons, 2 times a week. I use Prime, Stability, and Flourish. I assume the cloudiness is a bacteria bloom, but it seems when all I moved over, that my cycle would have been maintained. I have not added any additional stock yet. Everyone seems happy, except I have lost 3 shrimp, but out of 150, and given their lifespan, that may be natural.

Could the ammonia be test error from using Prime? I use the API master kit. Is it ok to add more stock (nerites and a couple of Danios). Would a UV sterilizer be ok to clear up the cloudiness and does it hurt to have a UV along with Shrimp and Snails.

It hasn't been too bad of a transition, but I just want to be sure I am doing what I need to be.

Thanks

 

I can't speak to the sterilizer as I have never used one however it is common to have a bit of a bloom when you transfer to a larger tank. Lots of extra bits of waste , food , plant matter get exposed during the move and a healthy bacteria colony expands for a bit to adjust to the added ammonia. Treat it with water changes until it balances it out and monitor closely.

 

It is very possible that you are experiencing a minI cycle caused by the disruption during the move. I personally wouldn't get overly concerned at this point. If you are using Prime as your water conditioner you should give your tank a full dose every 24 hours or so as long as you are seeing any ammonia. that will keep you fish safe until this minI cycle finishes.

Ninja'd by Greg F

 

OK, thank you. I was just making sure I didn't miss something. I did stir up a lot of stuff in the move. Do you think the aquaclear 50 is large enough for the 29 Gallon? I read some other threads that said a 70, but I got this one on clearance at Pet Supplies plus for $16. I have a quiet flow 10 that I could run next to it, but it is quite a bit noisier.

Thanks for the tip on the Prime, I didnt know I could dose it everyday.

 

OK, thank you. I was just making sure I didn't miss something. I did stir up a lot of stuff in the move. Do you think the aquaclear 50 is large enough for the 29 Gallon? I read some other threads that said a 70, but I got this one on clearance at Pet Supplies plus for $16. I have a quiet flow 10 that I could run next to it, but it is quite a bit noisier.

Thanks for the tip on the Prime, I didnt know I could dose it everyday.

You are very welcome.

I am firmly in the you can never have too much filtration camp. If you have room to run both filters, you should. I have 2 HOB"s and 2 double sponge sponge filters running in my 55 and if I had room for it I would add another HOB. I am considering adding a canister to the mix.

You may need to rinse out your filter media a bit more often until your water clears. Just be sure to always rinse it in used tank water or fresh dechlorinated water. If at all possible you may want to add extra media to your filter housing such as poli-fil. You can get a huge bag of it at your local wal-mart . Just rinse it off and stuff it in the filter housing.

 

I run two aqua clear 50s in my 29 gallon, as well as two large air stones for adequate surface agitation.

 

I went back to the store, and they had an AquaClear 30 and 50 both still on clearance. I got the 30 to run along side by 50, because it is physically smaller. Do you think that will be good? I thought 2- 50s would be too tight in the opening in my hood.

 

I went back to the store, and they had an AquaClear 30 and 50 both still on clearance. I got the 30 to run along side by 50, because it is physically smaller. Do you think that will be good? I thought 2- 50s would be too tight in the opening in my hood.

It's great that they still had them on sale. The 2 of them should be sufficient for your tank.

 

Yeah, it was good. They are moving to a smaller location next door, so they have a lot of stuff on clearance. Today was the last day before the move, so glad I made it in. Thanks again.