new tank setup chem levels

Question
QUESTION: Hello,
i run a small aquarium and we have recently added four 20 gallon tank all on the same system. It has your basic chiller, uv, sump, bio balls, and bag filters. We are trying to establish the water in the tank. We used half salt water from one of our 900 gallon tanks and used a new salt water mix to fill the rest. We have put some 4 fish in one tank to help in the cycling. it has been 2 weeks now and my chem levels are off the charts. All the fish seem to be doing fine. My ammonia is higher than 2 ppm, nitrite is higher than .8ppm, and nitrate is higher than 10 ppm. I have checked this many times and get the same results. Is my tank cycling properly? Also i get these results when i test the water from my sump, but when i test the water from one of the tanks my reading are completly different. ( ammonia 0ppm, nitrite higher than .8ppm, and nitrate 0ppm) What is up with that? If you can give any insight it would be appreciated.

ANSWER: Hello Caren,

Im a little confused, are you saying you run a small 'aquarium store'??

I would like to get more info on how you have your system plumbed?

It does not make sense to have two different readings.  The water in your sump should be circulating throughout all the tanks...  One water is the samw as every other water in the system

Something is not flowing properly.

Also, i would lose the bio balls... they do nothing but 'trap' the detritus/nutrient that we are trying to export.

having live sand and rock anywhere in the system will allow the biolgocial organisms to grow and establish the tank.

Have you kept track of the NITRITE levels?  Did they get higher and higher, and was that growth 'consistant' or did it SPIKE to a HIGH level after being just 'nominal'?

It would be normal to SPIKE then shortly after that spike for the ammonia to start dropping...

You might have some nitrates for a while until your biolgocial organisms MATCH the amount of fish yo uwill have...

(WHICH sounds like a lot)

Please keep me posted as to what is going on, and we can continue the conversation then.

thanks


bill



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I run an actual aquarium. Aquarium @Rockport Harbor. Anyway our system runs like this, water from the tanks flows through the uv, then flows into the filter bags in return flowing over the bioballs. then the return water flows into the pump to the chiller then back into the tanks. You said to remove the bioballs? is that just for the cycling or all together? all my chem tests i have done which is about 3 have all the same results, all 3 are high. except for the one i tested in the tank itself. how do i go about knowing if something is not flowing properly? and why am i having all 3 levels high, is this normal, will this go away, and why haven't the fish showed signs of stress? I thought by added already established water with fresh mix water would cut the time it needs to cycle in half, am i wrong?
thanks

Answer
First off..


CLAP CLAP CLAP....  APPLAUSE!!!!!!!!!!   STANDING OVATION!!!!!!

OMG....

Thank you and I wish you continued success...


(please contact me at my new forum.  I will give you my private contact info there  www.thelittleocean.com)


to try to address the questions here though...  The adding or using the old water is a good idea and great way to accomplish your goal of 'rapid startup'

to verify the 'flow' you would check your 'drain'.  That is the water that is flowing thru the filter sock.  Or check the water that is 'returning' to the tank, (spraying out your return nozzle?)

If you ahve water being pumped up from the sump, then the tank water should be falling down the drain and back into the sump, etc...

The 'bio balls' CAN, (but not really needed), to help start up tanks.  But after a short period they act like filter sponges, in that they catch the particulate matter.  They hold that matter until it decays and releases the nutrients back into the water...


I would like to see pictures of the plumbing and the sump, which can be sent easier at my new forum at www.thelittleocean.com

I have several questions about how it is plumbed and ways to maybe help with the efficiency of the chiller and uv lights...

(they really shouldnt be plumbed 'INLINE' the way you have them)

If you know what type of equipmetn you have, that would help me.  i.e. what model and size pump, skimmer, chiller, UV, etc..


What test kits are you using?  And can you bring some of your water to a local fish store?  Can you check out http://aquariumwatertesting.com/

They do complete water testing... It is a little pricey for most home users, but many intermediate/advanced aquariast do use this service as they are complete and ACCURATE


This still does not explain why the test kits you have read different for the water in the sump vs the water in the tank... If they test kits are off, they would be off 'consistantly'

But, it would be good to get a 'verification' of your test kits, and that you are using them properly..

Please contact me at www.thelittleocean.com  and please be patient, as it is a new forum and not many members are on all the time.  But, usually folks check in at differnt times, and the more members I get there, the more busy and the more chances of being able to chat LIVE with someone is greater...

Anyways, hope to talk with you soon

bill