Water Quality

[goldielocke76]

So, I just got done setting up the new tank. All the old gravel is in, all the old filter media, all the old decorations, all old everything except for the tank, which is bigger. Upgraded from a 20 gallon tank to a 36 gallon bow. I did add a bottle of tetrasafe start to help with the extra water volume. Does anyone know if it's like a huge water change? Anything that I can expect to do before adding Luau into his new home?

[Pufferpunk]

Yep--same as a WC. Add him ASAP or there will be nothing to feed the bacteria.

[bertie 83]

+1 . Look forward to pics

[goldielocke76]

Is there a reason why when I do a water test I have readings of ammonia?? I am afraid to put him in. I don't want him to suffer any ill effects.

[goldielocke76]

NM I think I was reading it wrong. I forget that the color of my walls are no longer white >< as soon as I hold it up to a white cabinet, it looks fine doh!

[goldielocke76]

I was freaking out over nothing. In my panic, I forgot that I had another fish tank to test against (need to find color chart from move) and it looked green after I tested it. Well, I just tested PZ's tank and they are the same damn color, just like you both said. Ugh. I wish I didn't go into panics like I did over my animals sometimes. But, water or four legged, they are all my babies. Will take pics and post them soon. He's now acclimated to the tank, and had a look of wonder on his little face. After he got over his initial shock, he noticed that there were ghost shrimp in there waiting for him, so he's busily hunting them right now. =D

Quick question: I have an AC 70 on there. Should I add another 70, or should I put a 110 on there, or is it ok as is?

Another dumb question: He's now the only fish in there with 7 zebra nerite snails and every so often a handful of ghosties (these are food so don't last long). I know puffers have a huge bioload, but is Luau, all by himself in there, enough to keep the bacteria fed? I am assuming so, but I just wanted to double check to see what everyone else thought.

Thanks!

[Flutter]

Yep, it'll be fine. The bacteria grow in proportion to the waste in the tank.

[Pufferpunk]

If you have a 110, use it! I have a 110 on my 20g with a single Congo in there.

[RTR]

Minor clarification: Nitrification bacteria grow in proportion to the levels of the nitrogen metabolites (ammonia and nitrite) in the water, not to the water volume itself.

HTH

[Pufferpunk]

Isn't that what this means?

The bacteria grow in proportion to the waste in the tank.

[RTR]

Not really. DOCs, bacterial blooms, high phosphates, etc. and other pollutants do not influence nitrification bacterial colony size, nor does nitrate itself. Those are all wastes or pollution of a sort; they are pollution when not in low titers/counts. Only incompletely oxidized nitrogen compounds affect nitrification bacterial colony size (ammonia and nitrite).

You can have - and many tanks are - a heavily pollute tank with zero detectable ammonia and nitrite.

"Pollution" is a very broad brush, which may include detectable ammonia and nitrite titers, but those two factors are not either necessary nor essential for a tank to be labelled polluted. There are hundreds to thousands of pollutants possible to likely in semi-closed systems (fish tanks).

HTH

[goldielocke76]

If you have a 110, use it! I have a 110 on my 20g with a single Congo in there.

I don't but I am willing to get one (although looking at the prices on Amazon I just might get another 70....). Just want to make sure that he has the correct set up. With an exception of maybe adding 1-2 more pieces of decor, and getting some plants, I want to make sure that once I am done adding and upgrading the tank, I am done done. My plan was to get him a tank that he can grow into and not grow out of. So far, I haven't seen him pace once, and he's been happily chasing the shrimp around the tank. He also ate the meal worm I fed him last night. It's been fun watching him in the big tank ^.^

[Terrance]

There are hundreds to thousands of pollutants possible to likely in semi-closed systems (fish tanks).

Good info Thank you.

AC 110 nice option. It'll take up more space at the back of your tank than the AC 70.

[goldielocke76]

There are hundreds to thousands of pollutants possible to likely in semi-closed systems (fish tanks).

Good info Thank you.

AC 110 nice option. It'll take up more space at the back of your tank than the AC 70.

Then I'll prolly just stick with either one or two AC 70s. There's enough room for an AC 110, but, I am not going to make not enough room for one filter when two is an easier option for me.'

Just have to say: the change in behavior since Luau has been put in the bigger tank is astounding! Now I am definitely of the opinion that a 20 gallon is the barest of the bare minimum needed for an F8, and that at least 30 gallons is much better. He is all over the tank, just happy as can be. Denzil and I have noticed a difference, and an increase in his activity level. I'm soo happy he's happy! ^.^

[RTR]

Unfortunately there is always a non-trivial difference between the minimum set-up and the optimum set-up.

The most obvious differences show up in behavior short term. But the long term differences in fish health and activity are equally significant. Not to mention that tank care is easier due the huge differences in water quality degradation in the optimum versus the minimum set-up. Those differences provide the long term improvements in health, activity and lifespan.

Unfortunately, many folks just have a hard time getting over "confetti" tanks as advocated by so many books, magazines,and web sites. Those obviously work short term, but are never optimum for any of the inhabitants. Getting over mixed tanks is the biggest step required between keeping a tank (or a few to multiple tanks) and becoming a long-term hobbyist. The majority of folks never seem to make that step, so they never see what fish-keeping can be. Their loss.