Kinbote Posted May 9, 2014 Report Share Posted May 9, 2014 Long story short, the positive bacteria population in my 800 litre tank collapsed a couple of months back for unknown reasons; everything had been fine since setting up 2 - 3 years ago. So far, all attempts to restart the cycle have failed, and I'm spending a fortune on Ammolock to keep the fish safe. So my request: is there anyone in the West Auckland (or wider) area who has a few colonised bio-balls or bio-noodles they'd be willing to spare? Would be an enormous help to me and the fish. TIA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted May 9, 2014 Report Share Posted May 9, 2014 I suspect the Ammolock is giving you false readings. It is my understanding the Ammolock binds the ammonia so it is less harmful, it does not actually get rid of it so it will still show on your test readings. I am sure someone will correct me if I am wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David R Posted May 9, 2014 Report Share Posted May 9, 2014 Gutted, I'd have some if we were still in Auckland! Other than that how is the tank? I was thinking of wide tanks the other day and wondered what happened to yours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira Posted May 9, 2014 Report Share Posted May 9, 2014 I suspect the Ammolock is giving you false readings. It is my understanding the Ammolock binds the ammonia so it is less harmful, it does not actually get rid of it so it will still show on your test readings. I am sure someone will correct me if I am wrong. Sounds about right to me, ammolock doesn't remove ammonia, it just turns it into less toxic ammonium. Ammonia tests read both. Do 2-3 big water changes, 75%+ or so. I suspect you've been putting in ammolock to treat a high concentration of ammolock. You're almost always better off doing a water change than adding more chemicals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kinbote Posted May 9, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 9, 2014 Yeah Ammolock converts ammonia to ammonium so it still registers, but I say it's not cycling because ammonia/ammonium levels are continuing to rise, and I'm seeing zero nitrites. I've been doing ~80% water changes (almost) every 2 days (sometimes repeated two or three times) for the past couple of months, and also various other things that were suggested, all to no effect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
calculator Posted May 9, 2014 Report Share Posted May 9, 2014 I live in Beachlands, which is a bit far away from west auckland, but if you need it I can trade some out of my tank if you can't find anyone closer. You may also want to try on the "new Zealand fish keepers" Facebook page, there are a number of Aucklanders on there who could help, some of whom might be easier to get to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryanjury Posted May 9, 2014 Report Share Posted May 9, 2014 I am in west Auckland, I don't have many tanks running though.. I would stop using all those chemicals and do water changes. If those products are converting the ammonia to something then your tank won't cycle at all. Your tank has been running for a long time so even though you have somehow killed most of your bacteria there will still be some there and if you let the tank cycle again you should be fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Discusguru Posted May 10, 2014 Report Share Posted May 10, 2014 Try adding TLC Start Smart to speed up cycling.It works very well for me whenever I start up new tank and dump heaps of fish in it without having any issues. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueether Posted May 10, 2014 Report Share Posted May 10, 2014 If you are doing that large a water change make sure to add dechlorinator if you are on town water. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kinnadian Posted May 15, 2014 Report Share Posted May 15, 2014 I would buy a big bottle of nutrafin cycle and stop using ammolock. If you're removing the ammonia, then there is insufficient food to encourage your bacteria to start growing. Just do water changes to keep ammonia below 15. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.