AP Nitra-Zorb

phatbak · 11-11-2006, 12:06 PM

anyone use this? http://www.petsmart.com/global/produ...N=2030141&Ne=2

everything on my AP Master test kit is fine except for a nitrite reading of 2.0. My tank has been running for about 3 months and I've had this reading for about 2 weeks (since I got the test kit).

I understand nitrites will turn to nitrates over time, (current nitrate reading 10.0). Should I try the nitra-zorb in my Fluval 304 to see if the nitrites come down?, or should I just let it take its time.

oh....and I use freshwater salt per Jay's sticky recipe, and do 15% weekly water changes along with gravel vac.

If I didn't give enough info, just kick me and letme know what other info you need.

Thanks in advance

Tommy Gun · 11-11-2006, 01:10 PM

IMO, you really shouldnt need to use a bunch of chemicals or aids in your tank and I feel that using them is only going to prelong the inevitable here and that is to just wait this out. I am willing to bet that this product will reduce your nitrates and other water parameters, but the day you decide to stop using it, you will be back to square one all over again. I think that your best bet is to allow your tank to become independant and able to deal with fish on its own. It definetly will get there all on its own; it just takes time.

By the way, I love your daughter's new name for the allgery eater! Kids are so funny sometimes! My advice is to get her saying this on video becasue the next time you turn around, you will be hearing her ask for the car keys and how her boyfriend 'spike' is taking her to some rock concert!!!!!! :-)

phatbak · 11-11-2006, 01:22 PM

right on...thanks for the advice Tommy, I'll just let it run its course and do normal water changes.

....as for our daughter....I've already told her that I WILL meet her boyfriend when the day comes she decides to get one, and put the fear factor into that boy.

Plus she's high-maintenance, so I feel bad for whoever decides to date her.

Jay · 11-11-2006, 02:12 PM

Hey phatbak!

That nitrite reading is a little wacky. Is there an Ammonia Reading? An ammonia reading and a nitrite reading would indicate the tank is not cycled.

I would get a second opinion on that test result.

Quote:

oh....and I use freshwater salt per Jay's sticky recipe

I am a proponent of NOT using salt in a fw aquarium.

I'm not quite sure how you got that, I do not use salt in my fw aquariums. I have in the past to cure an Ich problem, but not on a daily basis. I am into heavily planted tanks and plants do not tolerate salt (NaCl).

RTR's article does talk about salt in a species tank (only one type of fish in a tank, like guppies)

I am experimenting with a special blend of minerals and salt (called live bearer salt, by Seachem) in my guppy tank. It contains other mineral salts than (NaCl) and can be adjusted to be species and geographically compatible. It is also reported to be tolerated by plants. So far I like the results.

Regards,
Jay

phatbak · 11-11-2006, 03:01 PM

Hey Jay, ya it is the Ich recipe that I use, I did have white spots on a fem betta.

I'm gonna do a water change here shortly, but ammonia looks like its between 0-.25.

when I first setup the tank, I let it run for a month then added fish a couple at a time. I feed twice a day in small amounts, so I don't see overfeeding as a problem.

dlee9707 · 11-11-2006, 04:07 PM

you should try to make your tank as self sustaining as possible. You cant have it become dependant on a chemical. It would be ok to use something like that in an emergency but as said above if you use it constantly your tank will no longer be able to take down its nitrite levels on its own and the second you stop to use it you'll have to rebuild your bacteria. i say you should just make sure your fish dont die and do water changes, if all else fails use a chemical

Loman · 11-11-2006, 07:36 PM

Phatback,
Can you post a full set of current water parameters in one post. It looks like the tank is cycling to me based on what I think I am reading although if it has been set up several months that would need some further explanation as to why it is re-cycling., A short history and description of what is in the tank and what chemicals you have or do use would also be helpful. One of the problems with many of the chemicals is even if they do what they claim to do they can kill off the bacteria etc. and cause some other maybe even more significant problem. IMO the fewer chemicals the better. I do not treat fish in my main tank because of what the chemical can do . I will remove the fish and treat it is a QT tank and try to keep the main tank free of chemicals

phatbak · 11-12-2006, 10:28 AM

Hey Loman, I did have to do a major overhaul of the tank after some f#$%^#'s trashed our house and dumped a full can of flakes into the tank, the water was dark green and smelled horrible.

I took all the plants and rocks out, filter media, and rinsed them off, as well as a deep gravel vaccuuming. that could explain the re-cycle process.

I'll run another water test and post results after I choke down some more coffee.

phatbak · 11-12-2006, 01:14 PM

I think I found the ticket.....

I replaced the Bio-max in the top basket of my Fluval 304 yesterday and did a 15% water change.

current readings:

Ph 7.2
Ammonia 0.0
Nitrite .5
Nitrate 5.0

so it looks like everything has gone down, which makes me happy. How long should I wait to change the Bio-max in one of the other baskets?

I replaced 2 of 4 filter pads two weeks ago, and there is old bio-max in the bottom basket, and old bio-max and a carbon bag in the middle basket.

EDIT:

forgot to mention I'm gonna dump the carbon bag on the next bio-max replacement.