plants and nitrite levels-You can ignore my email

Question
I've read through some of your answers before my last question to Chris, but then right after I sent you my new question, I saw a exact match to my question in one of your previous answers.  I read one of your recommended web sites on new tanks and the nitrite levels and it helped me understand what I need to do.
I think I'm on the right track.

So, thanks for being so detailed in your answers!


Answer
Hi Susan,

I was just about ready to answer your question, when I read this e-mail! I would happily comment on your situation if you'd like, but the fact that you're willing to read to find the answer to your question makes me feel certain that you will be fine. The problems you describe are very common and will sort themselves out eventually. Just don't keep adding fish until things stabilize - that just complicates matters!

Doing water changes when there are fish in the tank is a necessary evil, but it does delay cycling as you have noticed. If you are thinking about adding some live plants, I would start with some easy ones like hornwort and banana plants that can float near the substrate but not necessarily in it. Plants help tremendously with stabilizing water parameters - once they are established. If you are changing water all the time and having the ups and downs associated with a new tank, it is best to wait before you root any plants. Plants don't appreciate all of that "fuss" for lack of a better word. Floating plants do fine in such settings.

Look for a bacterial starter such as Stability or Cycle at your local fish store, and add the recommended dosage according to the instructions on the package. Many well-respected experts believe these to be worthless, with Bio-Spira serving as the only effective bacteria source since it is a refrigerated product. In my opinion, those off the shelf products work to some degree, and are worth what they cost. Seachem (Stability), Hagen (Cycle), Tetra (Easy Start) and Marc Weiss (Bactor Vital) all have such a product in their line. It's hard to imagine they're all snake oil...

After you do this, find a way to incorporate biological media into your filtration. The more economical filters especially, often do not come with enough bio-media, and benefit therefore from some modifications. Hagen's Biomax, which is designed for the AquaClear line of filters, comes in a size that will fit your filter, I am nearly certain. The AC sponges also provide effective biological (beneficial bacteria cultivation) and mechanical (removal of particles) filtration. Try to incorporate them into your filter, and when you rinse them, always do so in used aquarium water. The chlorine in straight tap water will sterilize them. You will find that in aquariums, nothing should be sterilized!

There are lots of books to try, if you prefer reading away from your computer. I can recommend some to you, but see what your local library has in stock - 639.34 is the section to look for. Along with a bit of consistent care, reading is basically all you need to be a successful fishkeeper. The best equipment, the most expensive additives, cannot ensure your success until you understand just what is happening in your fish tank, and I believe you are very close to there.

My favorite sites to recommend to beginners are freshaquarium.about.com and wetwebmedia.com, but recently I found the site fishinthe.net - it has a growing "Fish Guide" section, searchable species profiles. It rivals that of badmanstropicalfish.com - another site I recommend, with lots of input (good and bad) from readers the world over.

Good luck to you! Feel free to write me anytime if you get stuck. It is my pleasure to help someone who is willing to help themselves, as you obviously are.

Nicole