The water does not contain much of the bacteria needed for cycling. The bacteria live on all the surfaces including gravel, plants, filter media, etc.
Doing those water changes will reduce nitrates (or ammonia, and nitrite), so this is the most important thing. Cyano-bacteria stinks like rotten seaweed. Also keep food restricted.
Good luck. It'll work out with time as I think you have a handle on this.
keep us posted.
New to plants - Java Fern and Algae
26 posts • Page 3 of 3
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Tien6079 - Posts: 99
- Joined: Fri May 16, 2008 6:59 am
Yeah, it seems to be less of a problem already. I found out what happened to at least one of my blueberry shrimps...stupid thing got caught in the grate of the filter intake. He was alive when i pulled him out but he didnt last more than 24 more hours. Makes me mad...he was $4! I shouldn't be too mad tho, I have lost $100 salt water fish lol. Live and learn...or rather kill and learn lol!
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Peterkarig3210 - Posts: 1980
- Joined: Wed Oct 24, 2007 3:04 am
Sponge filters come in all sizes and shapes and many are designed to slip over a filter intake, and they're cheap.
This not only improves biological filtration, but keeps small fish and 'shrimp' from getting caught or sucked up.
And yes, it's happened to me when filter intake fell off for a period a couple times. Poor otto. Poor ghost shrimp. Poor coolie loach. RIP!
This not only improves biological filtration, but keeps small fish and 'shrimp' from getting caught or sucked up.
And yes, it's happened to me when filter intake fell off for a period a couple times. Poor otto. Poor ghost shrimp. Poor coolie loach. RIP!
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Tien6079 - Posts: 99
- Joined: Fri May 16, 2008 6:59 am
I may have to do that as I wot be able to keep any shrimp. I want a khuli loach as well but he wld get caught up in my filter too.
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Tien6079 - Posts: 99
- Joined: Fri May 16, 2008 6:59 am
So, I may not have the issue under control. I think it might be cyano bacteria. It is showing up everywhere now. It is primarily on my java ferns but I find it on the sand and decor. It is fibrous, slimy, and looks like frayed green thread. It is a royal pain in the butt!
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Peterkarig3210 - Posts: 1980
- Joined: Wed Oct 24, 2007 3:04 am
Find out what you ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels are, and post them.
www.plantgeek.com has pics of algae. Look at the different ones and see if any match.
www.plantgeek.com has pics of algae. Look at the different ones and see if any match.