Water Loss

[wizard2]

Hi
Finally have my NH at 0 But my Nitrite level is up Did water change of about 8ga in my 40 Will test in AM and if needed do another.

My main question is how much water should I be losing to evaporation a day in a 40 with open top I know that because of the dryness in the winter that the air is less humid so it will be more

Thanks Mike

 

[jjmg]

From my 40 breeder I lose about a half gallon a day. That is with the AC running in the summer to keep the humidity down and so far this winter we haven't turned the heat on but I expect it to go up a little once we do that.

 

[kharmaguru]

Hi
Finally have my NH at 0 But my Nitrite level is up Did water change of about 8ga in my 40 Will test in AM and if needed do another.

My main question is how much water should I be losing to evaporation a day in a 40 with open top I know that because of the dryness in the winter that the air is less humid so it will be more

Thanks Mike

Why not let the nitrite become nitrate like it's supposed to? You are cycling no?

Evaporation will be different for everybody and as noted will vary through the seasons. I go anywhere from a litre a day to a gallon a day throughout the year on my 50 frag tank in a cool basement.

 

[Vinny Kreyling]

Why make a water change during the cycle?
It interrupts Mother Nature.
Remember the saying-"Don't fool with Mother Nature".

 

[wizard2]

Can't get nitrite level to balance out. I know I maybe shouldn't have done this but tried adding some starter to get the bacteria up. The day after everything was brown. Hoped that this would get nitrite down. Still to high and I don't want to put in my cleaning crew for fear they will die. I even did a 50% water change and added more starter. That also may have been mistake.

 

[kharmaguru]

Can't get nitrite level to balance out. I know I maybe shouldn't have done this but tried adding some starter to get the bacteria up. The day after everything was brown. Hoped that this would get nitrite down. Still to high and I don't want to put in my cleaning crew for fear they will die. I even did a 50% water change and added more starter. That also may have been mistake.

Ah, actually you are correct - water change is the answer. Excessive nitrite can stall the cycle because it will inhibit the bacteria. I think that's where you are. Try to get nitrite down near 5ppm and things should get going again. Here's a dr Tim link that might help:

Cycle Troubleshooting - 13 things you need to consider. | DrTim's Aquatics

 

[wizard2]

I have my cleaners in my QT tank. Do I need to give them anything or should they be ok

 

[griss]

I have my cleaners in my QT tank. Do I need to give them anything or should they be ok

What cleaners do you have?

 

[deafasapost]

I would go through about 5 gallons every week to week and a half on my 55 gallon tank.

Why not let the nitrite become nitrate like it's supposed to? You are cycling no?

Evaporation will be different for everybody and as noted will vary through the seasons. I go anywhere from a litre a day to a gallon a day throughout the year on my 50 frag tank in a cool basement.

 

[wizard2]

What cleaners do you have?

Blue leg crabs 20. Turbo snails 7

 

[griss]

Blue leg crabs 20. Turbo snails 7

For the hermits, just some fish food should be okay. Is there any algae growing in the Q tank? The Turbos will need algae.

 

[wizard2]

For the hermits, just some fish food should be okay. Is there any algae growing in the Q tank? The Turbos will need algae.

No but that is why I want to get them into the main. Brown

 

[griss]

Do you have a small rock in the DT that has algae on it you could move to the Q tank?

 

[wizard2]

Do you have a small rock in the DT that has algae on it you could move to the Q tank?

Great idea. Why didn't I think about that. Just tested with prime going to get main on balance

 

[griss]

Great idea. Why didn't I think about that. Just tested with prime going to get main on balance

Hell, I’ve been in the hobby since 1986 and it took me over 24 hours to think of it