Adrienne Posted November 23, 2012 Report Share Posted November 23, 2012 The API test kit does have two parts and you have to be spot on in following the instructions ie, shaking part 1 in the vial, then part 2 for 30 seconds before adding it. Then 1 minute once it is added and wait 5 mins. The one minute shake is critical to getting the mix correct and the 5 minute wait ensures the correct colour is reached. If you are not running a filter in the fish bins but an dual airpump only can you get hold of a couple of sponge filters. You will still have to monitor the bins carefully as you will get an ammonia spike but careful monitoring plus frequent water changes, the addition of cycle etc will hopefully keep the levels down. Clean out your old tank using good old muscle power, ie water and a cloth, no soaps or detergents and preferably not bleach. Rinse and scrub all your gravel, clean off your plants etc, filters and heater. You should not have to get rid of anything as it is possible to clean it all. Good luck. If you have time keep a log this time of what you have done, when and how. Even doing it on this site is a good way to keep an up to date diary in case you strike issues. That is why I update my new tank set up each week, even when it looks as if not much has changed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dana Posted November 23, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 23, 2012 Thanks. I've picked up 2 57ltr bins. The plants are passed saving (rotten), so I grabbed a few new ones when I was in town. No spare filters at all, but certainly a reminder to get something for future use. I wont use any chemicals for cleaning. Without filtration, will this be suitable for 3-4 hours? I'll do it tonight in one go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim r Posted November 23, 2012 Report Share Posted November 23, 2012 I have a couple of small sponge filters you can have electric or air, your choice? If you pm your address I will send Monday on overnight courier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dana Posted November 24, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 24, 2012 Thank you. That is a very generous offer. I was hoping to get it done tonight as I'm away with work quite a bit over the next few weeks. I'm thinking if I pull the rocks etc and clean prior to transferring fish, then I should be able to do it in 2-3 hours. I'll keep testing the ammonia in the bins to be safe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrienne Posted November 24, 2012 Report Share Posted November 24, 2012 They will be fine for 3-4 hours without filters however if you are not going to be around a lot over the next few weeks do you have someone who will be able to keep an eye on your tank and do water changes? You will get an ammonia spike in the next week or so if starting the tank afresh and adding fish. Cycle will help but wont do it all for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stickyfish Posted November 24, 2012 Report Share Posted November 24, 2012 increase the water flow in the tank get the plants swaying in the current. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dana Posted November 24, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 24, 2012 The work trips are only 1 night at a time, just lots of them. The most I'd be away from the tank is 36 hours which means I'll be there to keep a close eye. I had a bubble tube running across the back of the tank previously, it clogged with slime so I centralized the outlet in one corner. It appeared to increase flow as there is more movement, but I'm still not sure which is the best option. Thoughts on this? Outlet at one end, one at each end or back to the tube?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stickyfish Posted November 24, 2012 Report Share Posted November 24, 2012 and get a fue Siamese algae eater they love that stuff most will b gone in a week Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dana Posted November 24, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 24, 2012 This is going to sound like a really dumb question... I'll transfer aquarium water into the bins with the fish. Do I transfer it back when I'm done? Will cycle be enough to make all new water safe? or do I do a mix of both? Worried about a) ammonia in the bin water going back into the tank, and b) killing my fish by putting them into an uncycled tank Sorry, dumb question, but this is my first full tank overhaul. Better to ask and look stupid than wind up with dead fish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livebearer_breeder Posted November 24, 2012 Report Share Posted November 24, 2012 What kelvin rating are the bulbs on your fishtank? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livebearer_breeder Posted November 24, 2012 Report Share Posted November 24, 2012 Are the fish dying in the tank? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F15hguy Posted November 24, 2012 Report Share Posted November 24, 2012 if you have a canister filter I would run it through the bins to keep it alive, it should buffer against new cycling to a point. you said you had some TLC coming, that should work well, just do daily ammonia tests just in case Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sophia Posted November 24, 2012 Report Share Posted November 24, 2012 is there absolutely nowhere else in the house the tank can go to get out of the natural light of the current space? Or even just to a different wall in the same room where you might be able to block off a pane of glass? My rasbora tank that had the same brown slime is a picture of perfection since I blocked the sunny pane - it's all gone and everything is green. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dana Posted November 24, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 24, 2012 I changed the bulbs recently due to age. Installed 2 x 30W sunlight and 1 x tropical (aqua one). No cannister filter (but is on the cards as not liking in-hood set up). Just unsure about what qty of water to transfer back due to ammonia. Only a few hours worth though. They'll be back in the main tank within 4 hours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dana Posted November 24, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 24, 2012 Hi Sophia, I listened to your last advice and have kept curtains closed on sunny windows. No other areas I'm afraid as I have a very open full window typed house. Unless I put it in the back room which is never seen. It kept the green algae down, but this brown slime is increasing. All the advice given here I take on board and is very much appreciated. I'm going to gut the tank tonight, and see what happens with close monitoring and water changes over the coming weeks. I can't see any other option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livebearer_breeder Posted November 24, 2012 Report Share Posted November 24, 2012 What kelvin rating are the bulbs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dana Posted November 24, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 24, 2012 The 2 x sunlight tubes are 6,500. I can't find a rating on the singular 25W tropical tube but it is in the blue spectrum visually. I researched prior to changing tubes, and all advice given was towards this combination. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dana Posted November 24, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 24, 2012 Part way through. Rocks and gravel and clean as a whistle where ever light from tubes doesn't hit.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sophia Posted November 24, 2012 Report Share Posted November 24, 2012 I think 3 hours should be your starter lighted period when you get it set up again. just a thought anyhoo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dana Posted November 24, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 24, 2012 Ok will do. Mental note for future...when removing and scrubbing plants...MAKE SURE YOUR BRISTLE NOSE IS NOT ATTACHED SO HE DOESN'T GET STUCK IN THE DRAIN!! Quick spanner action and a kitchen cupboard flood with pipes everywhere and he's back swimming in the tank... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sophia Posted November 24, 2012 Report Share Posted November 24, 2012 naughty bristlenose! :an!gry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dana Posted November 24, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 24, 2012 FINISHED! 4.5 hours. I have to go clean the carpet due to a minor flood issue... Will post pictures of tonight's EPIC nightmare tomorrow LOL :slfg: :slfg: But, they're all alive. Not happy, but alive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dana Posted November 24, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 24, 2012 But, did you know... A bristlenose can survive in a drain pipe for 20 minutes before he is noticed missing, having cold coffee, 12 buckets of water, a pot rinsed and scrubbed with detergent, and an old tin of tuna dumped on him. He can also survive being dropped on the floor out of said pipe while a frantic nutbar woman is swearing her head off at a stupid wrench that won't open, while cursing herself for being the worlds worst fish keeper. Tough nut that little sucker fish.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F15hguy Posted November 24, 2012 Report Share Posted November 24, 2012 yep tough lil buggers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
camtang Posted November 24, 2012 Report Share Posted November 24, 2012 sure are, I watched a shellie drag one around my tank by its bristles last night, it still went back for more rite after. tough suckers indeed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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