dilemma

M

MrsHaggis

New member
We are currently cycling our new tank.

Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0.1
Nitrate 1
PH 8.2

My dilemma is: we are going on Christmas holidays over the next few days and our current fish (clown, 6-line) are currently living in a bucket (Ammonia 0, Nitrite 0.05, Nitrate - through the roof). I want to put the fish in the new tank before leaving; sorry we have to put them in the new tank as it has the auto-top off, automatic feeder, etc all built in and we have no one to look after the bucket!! We also need to pick up some snails and crabs before we leave so that they can make a start on the algae (oh so much algae). And I want to have a few days to observe everything working correctly before we leave.

So, do I risk putting the fish in with Nitrites at 0.1?
What about the CUC?

The levels of Nitrite are dropping really quickly, 2 days ago they were at 1.0.

I know that both fish are pretty hardy since they have been living in that bucket for 4 months now with really crappy water quality.......but......nitrites??

Any opinions?
 
nitrite alone wouldnt be too much of a worry, what worries me is the fact the tank media has not totally cycled yet, and the fish may well end up exposed to ammonia,when the fish are added their waste will be converted by bacteria to nitrite from ammonia, however how do you know there is sufficient colonies in there capable of coping with the waste and being able to convert it?
 
Michael, I don't know!!
That's the honest answer........I know that we have had huge algae bloom, and the readings that I posted earlier. Is there any way to know if there are sufficient colonies??

I just can't leave them in the bucket for two weeks over the holidays!

So, my plan was to put them in now and that at least gives me a few days to observe them before leaving........that way if the water starts going nuts (I'll be checking it every day) then we have time to try and find an alternate solution!!

I don't really see any other choice........
 
i would think the clownfish would be fine. but the sixline is not as hardy and if you dont have a covered tank it may jump out.

the best thing you could have done is too not have bought the fish knowing your tank was not ready. but we have all made noobie mistakes and we learn from our mistakes. could you take them to your LFS for the time being until your tank is ready?
 
can you board at a pet shop? two weeks is a long time to leave any tank without a fish sitter, and really a large risk with an uncycled tank.
 
Maybe you could find a local fellow reefer to hold on to them while you are away and your tank fully cycles.
 
well, you could go to your LFS, and see if they could host your fish for a little while. Might cost you a bit, but would be safest for your fish and tank.

It seems as if your tank is 90% done with the cycle, but every time you add a bioload, you will have a mini cycle. If you add your clown AND the wrasse together, especially before FULLY cycled, might make a nice big ammonia spike. Especially if they are strssed at all, as their respiration will be increased, and export a lot of ammonia to begin with.

Tough call. Likely the 1 clown would be fine. Although, chances are that putting any 2 fish together might be an issue right now. I would see if there's anyone in your area that can help and hold on to your wrasse. You could also ask a neighbor to do a simple water-change 2x, once like 2 days after you leave, and again like 3-4 days after that. That should keep your ammonia and nitrite down a bit, while the tank goes through its mini cycle from the fish.
 
I didn't just buy the fish.

I have had them for over a year - our last tank cracked in the middle of the night and flooded the bedroom; hence the new tank situation and why they have been living in a bucket for 4 months (waiting for the new tank to get ready!!) Also the 6-line has been living in the bucket without jumping out so I think we'll be OK there!

I don't know what kind of service you get in the states (clearly better than here) but an LFS over here would never take your fish overnight never mind for any length of time!! And my LFS is a friend - and they still would not take responsibility......so that's not an option!!

Our neighbours are around over the holidays and can check in on the tank - but they don't know anything about fish tanks. They will however be able to keep us updated and make sure the tank is functioning correctly (as far as plumbing goes). And keep the auto-top off tank full up.
 
We are here for another few days so my plan given the circumstances is to move the fish today. That gives us time to check the water and do water changes and keep an eye on the ammonia situation! It also means that if something is going to go wrong then hopefully it will be in the next few days and we are here to deal with the situation!!

The last thing I want is for anything to die. Unfortunately our rock took 3 more weeks arriving than was planned and so everything is now just a bit tight in terms of time! The best situation is where we have a few days of observation before we leave and fingers crossed and hope for the very best........this is not the situation we wanted to be in and if there was any other solution.......

Our neighbours are leaving for a few days and will come back just after we leave so between us we're hoping to keep everything alive and well. We'll leave water for them to do a water change over the holidays.
 
the cuc,hardly anything tbh, you could always buy a few pieces of cured live rock to keep the fish going until after the holidays, a powerhead or 2 and the rock would keep them going i reckon, they can cope for a while without food, its all about the potential ammonia risk.
 
I have 20 kilos of cured live rock (been in the other tank and bucket for over a year) to add to the sump. So that should help!!

I will add the CUC on Wednesday.

I added the two fish today.

Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0.05
Nitrate 1

So far so good as far as water goes.
The 6-line is soooooo happy in the new tank.
Clown fish not so happy - sticking to one corner of the new tank!!!
 
well look at it this way.

1) They WILL die in the bucket
2) They COULD die in the tank.

Put them in the tank and look up Amquel or something like that to help any possible ammonia spike

:thumbsup:
 
Everything still fine today.

Clown is out and about (finally!!)
Water is holding steady and so far no ammonia spike........if we get through the next few days then I'm pretty hopeful we'll get through without any losses.

The mushrooms are loving their new clean water and the extra light the halides bring!! The leather is not looking so good but then I didn't expect it to open right up anyway.......in fact I'm still not sure it will survive but that is more to do with the terrible water conditions it was living in rather than the effect of the new tank.

Still, fingers crossed....
 
Just tested the water again:

We're having a small ammonia spike.....

KH 10
PH 8
Ammonia 0.2
Nitrite 0.1
Nitrates 0
Phosphate 0.25
Calcium 360
Magnesium 1140

The fish and corals seem to be doing fine.
The fish are eating and energetic - no signs of red gills or any other ammonia poisoning!

I'm not sure whether or not I should try a water change or just leave it till tomorrow to test again; expecting that the ammonia will subside.......what do you think?
 
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