Dsm - Dry Start Method

Well, today I got eight otocinclus, along with my tests. I tested for ammonia, Nitrite and nitrate, and all were at zero. The tank has done its cycle in 2 weeks. Although I will admit to adding bacteria starter. It had two heavy waste fish, a gourami and a bristlenose. And yes I do have seeded media, just in case.

 

Remind me how many plants it has? You shouldn't have zero nitrates.

 

Yeah, I'm a little confused too. Anaerobic bacteria, maybe?

 

Also, is acrylic enamel paint bad for a fish tank background?

 

Just be careful... if you added a bacterial starter but no ammonia, there was nothing to feed the starter... you may have just started a fish-in cycle... for sure I would move over some media in there immediately...

 

One guy didn't make it. Looks like a worm

 

 

 

 

Just be careful... if you added a bacterial starter but no ammonia, there was nothing to feed the starter... you may have just started a fish-in cycle... for sure I would move over some media in there immediately...

There were two hardy, waste producing fish in there for around two weeks, along with the starter.

 

But is acrylic enamel a safe paint for a background?

 

Doubtful you have anaerobic bacteria eating all of your nitrates. Can you post a pic of the tank?

With the background of the tank, aren't you painting the outside of the tank? Most any paint should work then, as the fish aren't exposed to it at all.

 

I'm not gonna lie, I have no clue why there are so few nitrates. I'll test it when I can.
Here is the other tank.

 

The other tank, or the one with zero nitrates in it?

 

The one with the cave is the new one, the one with the zero nitrates is the other one.

 

I was asking if you could take a pic of the tank with zero nitrates.

 

Here it is.

 

Hmm, that may be enough plants to keep your nitrates below a readable level, since you don't have a heavy fish bioload in there.

 

8 otocinclus, 8 ember tetras, 2 endlers livebearers, one bristle nose pleco, one three spot gourami and one bamboo shrimp. The gourami was a rescue.

 

Well never mind, that's a pretty heavy bioload. Are you sure you're shaking nitrate bottle #2 really well?

 

Well, here's the thing. The guy promised me a master test kit. He even said he'd save one. All he had when I got there was a ammonia and a PH test kit. So I ran with it, cause I didn't have much of a choice. The nitrates were checked with a test strip.

 

So I wouldn't trust those results then. I'd save up and get a liquid test kit. I'd get a test kit before I got anything else.

 

Yes, I realize it's important, but he didn't have it. If he did, I would have gotten it. He said that he would have the master test kits, but I guess not.

 

Can you not order online or go somewhere else? It's pretty important, that's all.

 

Amazon carries them