New Tank

[digitallinh]

I probably come off blunt sometimes (because I am), but I would not be disheartened --we're all still learning too (just different things)! I don't think that part ever stops.

Keep at it, it takes time but the bacteria will undoubtedly colonize (assuming you keep feeding it fish waste/decaying organic matter) and your tank will stabilize.

[eklikewhoa]

Have you tested the water source?

[digitallinh]

If you have a moment, here is a link that describes what is beginning to happen here -- http://www.fishlore.com/NitrogenCycle.htm

I'm just always amazed when I think about these things, -- just another beautiful example of living organisms carving out a niche for itself.

[Chris.d514]

Changed 50-75% of the water checked nitrites and nitrates again and they were down to 2 nitrites, 20-30 nitrates.

[eklikewhoa]

symbiotic relationship

[Chris.d514]

Should I remove some of the fish and put back in the more established tank?

[LooksLater]

If the ammonia and nitrites over there are at zero, I'd say yes. You want to keep a few in your daughters tank to feed the cycle, but no reason to have more than a few if it's still cycling. But keep watching the other one one, as well. If those numbers aren't at zero, no need. Same thing will happen over there.

[aquabee]

Just another tidbit that helps... remember that when you have nitrites present, your nitrates (though still present) will read falsely high. When I was cycling my old 125g, I had 4 ppm nitrites and like over 120 ppm of nitrates. And overnight, when the cycle completed, my nitrites read zero and my nitrates were only at 40 ppm. That's when I looked into the API test kit and found out the info about falsely high nitrates.

[Chris.d514]

Ah good to know. Thx Bee

[LooksLater]

Right on, I didn't know that either! Good info, B.

[aquabee]

Yeah, thought that was something I woulda liked to know before. I did a 90% WC one day to help with what I thought were super high nitrates, and after the WC, the nitrates still read >120 ppm. I'm like, HOW IS THIS EVEN POSSIBLE?!! haha!

[Chris.d514]

After removing fish and doing water changes the only thing I lost last night was a ghost shrimp. So I'm pretty happy with that.

[mnemenoi]

After removing fish and doing water changes the only thing I lost last night was a ghost shrimp. So I'm pretty happy with that.

That's expected really, inverts are really sensitive to water parameters. Funny they thrive in a ditch and die in tanks, just goes to show you the wonder of the natural world I suppose.

[aquabee]

+1! It's mostly about having stability and a balance rather than perfect numbers.

[Chris.d514]

If my water test ok today should I be able to move my endlers back to the 10? I ask because I am keeping them in a breed net that my powder blue gourami keeps trying to eat through to get at them.