Nitrates and bacteria bloom

[whyvonwhy]

I started my 20 gallon tank, which was an upgrade from 3 gallon tank with guppies, 1ballon Molly, 2 Mickey Mouse platyies and a dwarf gourami, and a otto for algae control. I understand that I am going through the nitrogen cycle and my ammonia level has ranged from 0.25-0.50 and would do water changes at least once a week, some times 2-3 depending on my ammonia level. So I see the light at the end on the tunnel when my ammonia dropped to zero, nitrites are zero but my nitrates at between 60-80 and what has resulted? A bacteria bloom. So through the sea of googling I'm finding mixed responses to this. Should I treat this or just watch and wait? I just did a 25% pwc weds. I have the API master kit along with a sea chem ammonia detector in my tank. First time I've seen that pretty yellow! I thought it was a fluke! I did test my tap water for nitrates and it is zero so that's not the problem. I haven't lost any fish and they seem to be doing fine.

 

[AnthonyC4C]

Keep going with 25% to 35% water changes, also invest into some seachem prime

 

[whyvonwhy]

I do condition with Prime

 

[AnthonyC4C]

Hmmm... try leaving the tank alone for 24 hours after to see if your levels drop then maybe 48 to see if it drops... that's what I would try...

 

[jdhef]

I recommend doing some water changes to get those nitrates down under 20ppm. The bacteria bloom shoukd clear up on it's own in a few days, so I wouldn't get too upset about it.

Your pretty heavily stocked, so that means more ammonia, and in a cycled tank the more ammonia that is being produced the more nitrates you end up with. So my guess would be that you're going to need to do 50% weekly water changes to keep your nitrates under 20ppm.

 

[whyvonwhy]

I did a 25% pwc and I hate to admit this, but remember I'm new so please don't judge, I wasn't using my vacuum properly. I was given wrong instruction at the LPS. I was told to lightly vacuum top. I YouTube and saw I was doing it totally wrong! So I did it the right way so hopefully that makes a difference. I'm ok with doing large water changes. It's on my bar so it drains right into the sink and it takes 15 mins tops.

 

[jdhef]

I was using the gravel vac the same way when I first started. Then the first time I went down to the bottom glass I couldn't believe all the gook that came up.

But you are correct, all that gook in the gravel decomposes, turns into ammonia-->nitrites-->nitrates. So there's a good chance your nitrates will stay lower now you are getting all that debris out.

 

[whyvonwhy]

Update: my nitrate was 40 this morning! Guess vacuuming correctly makes a difference! Lol I'll test again tomorrow and will do another pwc if still elevated

 

[flyinggogo]

I hope u got some supplimental veggie or algae food for your oto. I doubt your new tank has enough of what it eats to keep it healthy. Normally id say up your otos to five or six but since your tank is new I wouldn't do that yet. My otos like omega one veggie waffers. Honestly about every fish I have loves them.

 

[whyvonwhy]

I hope u got some supplimental veggie or algae food for your oto. I doubt your new tank has enough of what it eats to keep it healthy. Normally id say up your otos to five or six but since your tank is new I wouldn't do that yet. My otos like omega one veggie waffers. Honestly about every fish I have loves them.

Thanks for the tip, I'll get some next trip to LPS

 

[whyvonwhy]

Nitrates back up to 80 did a 50% wc conditioned with prime and changed my filter, which was filthy. I think I'm over feeding. They just seem so hungry, but I think they will eat anytime no matter what. Plus they get bloodworms about 2-3 a week.

 

[jdhef]

Healthy fish always act as is they are starving. But since they are coldblooded they do not burn calories producing body heat, so fish can live on a lot less food that you would think. You have a much better chance of harming your fish by over feeding than you do by underfeeding. So long as each fish gets a couple bites of food at each feeding, they will be fine.

 

[AnthonyC4C]

I only feed 2x a day and vacuum up anything that's left...BUT...NOW...my dang fish literally snub their noses to flake food now so, I refuse to feed them brine shrimp until they start eating flake again...Brats! Never seen bratty snobby fish about food until my recent inhabitants...

 

[RaeRose89]

Fish always act hungry. My cory cats will go from a dead standstill to frantic little eating machines the minute the top is open,whether I put food in or not. And the gourami goes straight to the top whenever I walk by his tank, no matter if I just fed him or not. They're little piggies.

 

[whyvonwhy]

Update: my numbers are near perfect. Nitrates now 20 and the water is starting to clear

 

[AnthonyC4C]

Update: my numbers are near perfect. Nitrates now 20 and the water is starting to clear

Glad to hear!