Dropped Noodles in Tank

[theimpossibles1]

Last night I wanted to put a makeshift plastic cover over my tank and only had one clip so I used a box of whole wheat noodles to anchor one side of the plastic bag (cover). This morning I awoke to find the noodles in the tank fully saturated. Took them out, water was still clear. Over the course of the day the water has now become extremely cloudy. I just performed a 30% W.C.

Wanted to see if anyone else had experience with dropping wheat products in their tank and how they resolved the issue.

Additional info. Tank is 10g, about 2 weeks into fishless cycle. 10lbs live sand, roughly 3lbs live rock and 10lbs dry rock. Running koralia 240 and 425 powerheads and a penguin 150 H.O.B. filter with poly filter material. I have available the penguin brand standard filter pads with carbon. Would you recommend I switch one of those in instead of poly filter material? According to test 2 days ago: Salinity 1.024, pH 7.9, Ammonia 0.2, Nitrite 5, Nitrate 18, temp steady at 78f.

This is my first saltwater tank, though I have kept several freshwater/planted tanks before. Thanks for your replies, I look forward to sharing my experiences with this forum.

 

[theimpossibles1]

Before:

After:

 

[Joe0813]

You should be fine. Just keep testing the tank and don't add anything until ammonia and nitrite are zero

 

[mjstech]

Probably fine. If it was me I would do a 5g water chance if still cloudy and chalk it up to learning. And then run filter with carbon in it. And let cycle complete.. I don't know if I have ever heard of dosing a tank with wheat noodles before...Lol. did you eat them?? I salt my noodles when boiling....So you are kinda cooking (heater water). Why were you covering anyway? Welcome to the forum btw.

 

[theimpossibles1]

I was covering for two reasons, reduce evaporation and to make sure Summer (the dog) wasn't attempting to drink the tankwater. Glass lid is on order. And no I did not eat the noodles, was feeling oatmeal today . If water is no better tomorrow I will do a 50% W.C. and insert carbon filter. Thanks.

 

[mjstech]

You want some open for oxygen/gas movement. I like surface skimmer also to remove surface scum. I have one on my current tank. They are cheap. You have a good amount of flow and may not want/need it. I think penguin is square tube also. I have two 240s in a 29g with surface skimmer and timer. I just ordered two 425s. Try to keep the water carbohydrate free.

 

[theimpossibles1]

Trying to keep this tank skimmer/sumpless. Plan is weekly 40-50% W.C.. Will have a decent amount of the lid cut out to allow room for filter and wires. Will be cutting carbs entirely ��.

 

[mjstech]

Weekly 40-50% seems excessive. Even if it's only a 5g water change. Like a lot... Surface skimmer just hooks up to your hob filter tube. It is not protein skimmer.

 

[theimpossibles1]

I like a super clean look. Trying to prevent any kind of algae blooms. Livestock should appreciate it too.

 

[mjstech]

You said this is your fist go around with SW... I am guessing you have a couple of 5g buckets... One for new SW and one for old water. With changing that much out (to each their own) make sure you are matching temp/salinity. So you should have a powerhead, heater and maybe another thermometer for mixing purposes. I like to have new water made( mixing/heating) for a while before adding to DT.

 

[JohnnyHildo]

I was covering for two reasons, reduce evaporation and to make sure Summer (the dog) wasn't attempting to drink the tankwater.

while i don't have a dog myself something tells me that summer the dog probably wouldn't enjoy saltwater any more than you or i do.

 

[CarrieB]

Thanks for the laugh. I don't suppose we need to add "what to do if you drop noodles into your DT" to the stickies.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[gone fishin]

Since the tank is cycling I would not worry about it.

 

[theimpossibles1]

Thanks for the replies. It's looking much better today.
Yes mjs you are nearly spot on I have 4 5g buckets which I fill at the local RO/DI machine. The 425 powerhead is used to mix (using it on DT for cycling purposes right now). I have a couple of the preset 78deg heaters (100w for tank 50w for WC) which are working impressively so far. I plan to start a tank thread in the nano section once I start adding livestock.

 

[Sk8r]

bacterial cloud. Now gone. The damage if fish were in there would have been reduction of oxygen-carrying capacity of water.

 

[pisanoal]

No need to keep the dog out. One taste If they get past the smell and they will learn. My sump is open in the garage with 4 dogs in there. No one pays any attention to it.

Sent from my VS985 4G using Tapatalk

 

[theimpossibles1]

I'm very impressed with the amount and content of replies. What a great resource this forum is ☺.

 

[theimpossibles1]

Quick follow up, I just ran tests again and it seems the cycle has neared completion: salinity 1.026, pH 7.7 (hoping that goes back up, noodle related?) ammonia .02 if any, nitrate .02 if any, nitrate 1. The readings I had been taking recently led me to believe the cycle was nearing completion because of nitrite spike I just can't help but wonder if the noodles accelerated the process. Will continue to test for another week or two if no change its fishy time.

 

[whosurcaddie]

That's a first.

 

[theimpossibles1]

Just tested again. Cycle has gone backwards. pH 7.7, ammonia .3, nitrite 1.8, nitrate 4. I wonder if the bacterial bloom from the noodles affected the readings, or possibly something to do with my live rock being somewhat uncured. Question- is ph 7.7 low enough for concern? Was 7.9 for first two tests and 7.7 for the last two.