The Puffer Forum

Hi guys! So I hate to be here for guidance, but I recently ran into my first need for an "emergency set up"

came home one night after a 12 hr shift at work to find a cracked tank and drowning fish. I had a spare 55 gallon tank and some tetra safe start to make due. My levels are all safe (ammonia 0 nitrite 0 nitrate .2) but I have extra bacteria that my colony can not yet take care of, and it's clouding up my tank. I read online that it is safe and should clear up.. But can I add some more safe start to amp up my colony?

Also noted: I only filled up 30 gallons of the 55. Should I slowly add to it during water changes or should I just commit and keep going with tetra safe start for the extra water added?

Why aren't you filling the 55g? That would add extra dilution to the bioload. Add all the Safestart you want.

Sorry I can't help, but drowning fish! XD

Honestly, puffer punk it was a decision based on panic that I wasn't sure if I could uncommit once I commited. But sounds great! More safe start it is!!

I figure the opposite of fish without water would be drowning, right? Since we drown in water, they would drown in air.

JennLynn wrote:Honestly, puffer punk it was a decision based on panic that I wasn't sure if I could uncommit once I commited. But sounds great! More safe start it is!!

I figure the opposite of fish without water would be drowning, right? Since we drown in water, they would drown in air.

Absolutely love the logic!!

I might be reading your posts wrong but it seems that you might be getting a little confused about nitrifying bacteria, the amount of bacteria that you want your tank to have is dependant on the bioload created by the fish in your water, it is not dependant on the water volume itself.