Tetra Safe Start Plus and Bacterial Blooms

Sorry if this topic has been addressed before; I have searched all morning and can not an exact replica of my situation in the forum.

So I am 10 days into my 10 gallon aquarium using TSS+ and all seems to be going well. Ammonia at .25, Nitrites 0, Nitrates 10-20. Over the last couple days I have experienced a bacterial bloom from decaying fish food- 1 of my Purple Emperor Tetras has pretty much laid claim to the front center of my tank and she chases off all the others anytime they get near; including feeding time.

I have so far let it be because I was worried about trying to clean or vacuum while still in the first 14 days of a new tank- I didn't want to vacuum the gravel with my siphon pump because I would inherently be doing a small water change which the directions on TSS+ say not to.

I followed this new tank setup to the letter from the guides here, the post from a member who was in contact with Tetra, and the directions from the bottle and website. All fish are healthy and happy; even both Amano shrimp have laid claim to territory and work diligently.

So today I called Tetra customer service. I explained to the lady I was having a heterotrophic bacterial bloom and I was still inside of the 2 weeks parameter recommended by her company to avoid water changes; explaining my concerns with cleaning and vacuuming. She told me "water changes won't affect an ALGAE bloom." I politely corrected her 3 MORE TIMES during the conversation before I told her thank you and hung up- lol.

I know the cause of my bloom and want to fix it but again do not want to have any problems with my tank from essentially doing a water change after cleaning the gravel.

Has anyone else who has used TSS+ had this bacterial bloom occur and what did you do? I know I could wait a few more days- I have an air stone and a large enough bio-wheel that there is no oxygen problems for the fish even as the bloom appears to get worse... I just want to remedy this ASAP because honestly I hate seeing the tank in this condition.

Thank you in advance for any recommendations from you all.

-Brandon

 

Bacterial blooms are very common in new tanks so even water changes wouldn't help. It should go away on its own so even though it's unsightly, I would leave it alone. Besides, looks like you're close to being cycled and only have 4 more days left so you could do a water change then if the cloudiness is from something else other than a bloom.

As for the uneaten food, you could always use a turkey baster to pick them up.

 

First, feed a lot less. If you have decaying food in the tank, you are overfeeding.

Second, is the bloom whitish? Can you take a pic of the tank?

Water changes can make bacterial blooms worse, so I would leave it alone until the 14 days are up.

Third, you seem to have some stocking issues. What fish do you have in the tank and how many of each?

 

First, feed a lot less. If you have decaying food in the tank, you are overfeeding.

Second, is the bloom whitish? Can you take a pic of the tank?

Water changes can make bacterial blooms worse, so I would leave it alone until the 14 days are up.

Third, you seem to have some stocking issues. What fish do you have in the tank and how many of each?

1: Unfortunately to make sure all of my fish eat I have to place food in several areas when feeding because of my aggressive female tetra and the surface flow. I have cut back on the amount of food given when I noticed decaying flakes on substrate right before the bloom.

2. I am at work currently and can't send a photo until later but (and it's a fairly safe assumption) I compared my tank to photos of bacterial blooms I have found and I'm like 95% sure it's a bacterial bloom; white and cloudy.

3. 10 gallon with only 5 purple emperor tetras and 2 Amano shrimp, planning to add a dwarf gourami in the future once tank is more established.

Most or all of this should be listed in my profile unless I set it up inaccurately...

Bacterial blooms are very common in new tanks so even water changes wouldn't help. It should go away on its own so even though it's unsightly, I would leave it alone. Besides, looks like you're close to being cycled and only have 4 more days left so you could do a water change then if the cloudiness is from something else other than a bloom.

As for the uneaten food, you could always use a turkey baster to pick them up.

Never considered a turkey baster, thank you el337

 

1: Unfortunately to make sure all of my fish eat I have to place food in several areas when feeding because of my aggressive female tetra and the surface flow. I have cut back on the amount of food given when I noticed decaying flakes on substrate right before the bloom.

2. I am at work currently and can't send a photo until later but (and it's a fairly safe assumption) I compared my tank to photos of bacterial blooms I have found and I'm like 95% sure it's a bacterial bloom; white and cloudy.

3. 10 gallon with only 5 purple emperor tetras and 2 Amano shrimp, planning to add a dwarf gourami in the future once tank is more established.

Most or all of this should be listed in my profile unless I set it up inaccurately...

I would still try to feed less. Fish don't need to eat as much as we think, and during cycling you don't want to feed too much. You're also overstocked not only for the for size of the tank, but also for using TSS+. TSS recommends only a few fish for every 10 gal during cycling.

Can you upgrade your tank when you're done cycling? A 10 gal is not appropriate for the emperor tetra (who need to be in groups of 6+) nor the dwarf gourami. A 20 gal would be much better.

 

I would still try to feed less. Fish don't need to eat as much as we think, and during cycling you don't want to feed too much. You're also overstocked not only for the for size of the tank, but also for using TSS+. TSS recommends only a few fish for every 10 gal during cycling.

Can you upgrade your tank when you're done cycling? A 10 gal is not appropriate for the emperor tetra (who need to be in groups of 6+) nor the dwarf gourami. A 20 gal would be much better.

Wow ok... Maybe I'm misinformed but I thought the 1" to 1 gallon rule was (generic guideline I know) was the way to go. Purple Emperor Tetras (some say they are Royal Tetras) can grow to max size of 1.5". Is it the mobility of the school that requires a larger tank? 5 females at the moment are mostly juvenile with the exception of 1 who is right at 1" in length.

Also as far as TSS+ start up goes I read this topic here: https://www.fishlore.com/aquariumfishforum/threads/q-a-with-tetra-about-tetra-safestart.58116/ where a reply from a member stated to add full stock; which I kept slightly lower than the "generic rule" of 1:1.

The 5 tetras and 2 shrimp have been in tank for 10 days (added a couple hours after using TSS+) and all seem to be energetic and happy... They chase and school in the open areas and hide when they want privacy (I guess lol).

I may be able to upgrade tank in the future but not today; stand was only designed for 10 gallon (120lbs.).

 

The inch per gallon rule is terrible and should never be used. By that logic, you an keep a 10 inch fish in a 10 gal.

And yes, they're too active for a 20" tank. 24" tank minimum, though bigger is better! You should look into upgrading as soon as possible. If you can't upgrade soon, you could easily rehome them (and don't get the DG) and stock with fish appropriate for a 10 gal:
https://www.fishlore.com/aquariumfishforum/threads/stocking-list-for-10-gallons.207629/

 

Thank you for your help, I will talk with the wife and see
what she wants to do. Probably have to upgrade because she has already grown attached to the gals.

And yes, they're too active for a 20" tank. 24" tank minimum, though bigger is better! You should look into upgrading as soon as possible.....

Update if interested; got a sweet deal on a 55 gallon Marineland Kit through Craigslist. Basically half the price for a never used setup. I know I will be upgrading the equipment but couldn't pass up this deal... Off to the workshop to build my stand!

And I thought researching fish/inverts for a 10 gallon was hard; this could take weeks. Should have stand finished by end of weekend and have tank setup and running by this time next week. Will TSS+ and use my 10 gallon fish and filter media for startup.

Thanks again for your help ladies.

 

When I used TSS+ on the tank at work, there was a bloom the second week in that lasted the entire week. It miraculously was clear again the next day. Here is what it looked like.


You can tell how cloudy it was. Just let it run its course