No Bio Spira - suggestions?

[Tapiana]

Hello Everyone -

Sad - weekend is almost over. I do not know if my new readings are due to the Bio-Spira or if it is due to the 3 gallon water change I did. Here are the new readings:

SG 1.005
pH 7.3
Ammonia - 0
Nitrite - 5.0 (still high - but at least the water wasn't dark like it was yesterday)
Nitrate - a little less than 20 - I am thinking around 15

As I understand it - the Nitrites will go down as the Nitrates go down. Still cycling - added an air stone to help move things along.

I will take another reading tomorrow morning. The GSP is looking great - he is looking better than I have seen him. I also got him some Bio-Pure Spurlina Brine Shrimp by Hikari - he loves those - his belly got nice and round.

No - that is white rock at the bottom of the tank. When I start the set-up of a new tank I will ask for advice as to what to put in it.

Couple of questions -

Kept the old filter in the filtration system after I changed that out - figured I would probably be better than changing out with a new one. When should I change that out? Mine are all one piece - filter/charcoal and it uses a bio-wheel. Also - when should I do another water change - and how should I pre-treat the water? With pH balancer/ etc? Or is it okay with Marine Salt to the correct SG and water treatment? What else should i be doing - is the air-stone ok or should I take that out?

By the way - haven't named him yet - any suggestions?

Thank you for the help - almost there. I just hope the new tank goes easier.

[Pufferpunk]

I wouldn't add salt until the parameters are stable (0 am/trite) for a week. As the nitrite goes down the nitrate goes up. I would only treat the water with Prime. Wait at least 48 hours after adding B-S, before you do a WC & only if necessary.

[Tapiana]

Good Morning -

Took readings again this morning - not much change. I think the nitrites went down to maybe 3 - hard to tell which color it was.

GSP - is swimming around - he has started to "nibble" on the "reef" and swim in and out of the plants and the holes in the reef. Kinda cool watching him go in and out of holes.

I think he doesn't like the light in the hood - he seems to prefer swimming around when it is off (I think it is too strong)- what type of light should I have in there for him?

Will the Prime help combat the Nitrites and the Nitrates?

Ohh - question with the stunting (I was reading that thread) I am clearing off space to set up a larger tank for him (30gal) and intend to cycle it asap - do you think he will be ok in his 5gal tank for a month (hopefully shorter - but not longer) before I move him?

[Pufferpunk]

How little is he? The problem with that size tank is it will be difficult to maintain good water conditions in there. If it has been 48 hours since you added the B-S, then do a 50% water change now & maybe again later in the day, to get the nitrate down to 0.

[Tapiana]

I think it was a typo - just want to make sure

The nitrates need to be at 0 as well as the nitrites?

Should I add the Marine Salt to the new water - or leave it until the tank evens out? Should I put in a fresh filter?

He is little - no more than 1.5" How often should I be testing the water - every day or every other once I have it settled?

I swear once I get this figured out - the 20 que will cease to a trickle

[Pufferpunk]

Yeah, I'm good for lots of typos... Nitrate should be <20. Nitrite should be 0 at all times. Once the system remains stable, test every other day to be sure, because the tank is so small.