My First Shrimp-only Tank Journal

badflash · Post by **badflash** » Fri Sep 15, 2006 7:48 pm

No biggie. I collect rocks too and you'd be amazed at what is in some driveway stone.

The Fisherman · Post by **The Fisherman** » Fri Sep 15, 2006 7:54 pm

badflash wrote:No biggie. I collect rocks too and you'd be amazed at what is in some driveway stone.

Hehe, yeah, I love fossil hunting in my driveway, and I get lots of weird looks when i'm sitting there staring at my driveway stones--lots of good fossils, its pretty suprising. I can scan my driveway and get maybe 8 fossils in under an hour.
I find mostly cockles, and the occasional "I have no clue what this is" type of thing. I found one rather interesting one with half of a skull, including the jawbone of either a small rodent or reptile.

I even found what I think is a fish--or a very strange calcium deposit.

If it weren't for my insanely bad allergies I would be an Palientologist/Archaeologist/geologist.

Ok i'm getting way too off topic here

-John (AKA: The Puffer Ninja)

The Fisherman · Post by **The Fisherman** » Sun Sep 17, 2006 5:40 pm

9/16/06

I'm a little late, but no change.

-John (AKA: The Puffer Ninja)

The Fisherman · Post by **The Fisherman** » Sun Sep 17, 2006 6:21 pm

9/17/06

Still no change....

This makes no sense since I seeded with bacteria. I am beggining to wonder if the Ammonia that I used had an additive of some kind that is making it impossible for nitrifying bacteria to survive.

Or its just really really slow this time...

-John (AKA: The Puffer Ninja)

The Fisherman · Post by **The Fisherman** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 12:53 pm

9/18/06

Ammonia is lower today! Somewhere between 1-3 ppm.

I still have to test NitrAtes, i'll post the results later.

-John (AKA: The Puffer Ninja)

Neonshrimp · Post by **Neonshrimp** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 3:59 pm

Good news

I was going to tell you to add some substarate or squeeze a little water from an established tanks filter if it was not working. Keep up the good work

The Fisherman · Post by **The Fisherman** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 6:38 pm

9/18/06

Thanks Neonshrimp

It looks like the nitrAtes are a little higher but im not sure...I'm not very good at reading the color charts.

I actually have put a lot of stuff from other filters into this tank, and thats why i'm suprised its taking so long. I really am begining to wonder about possible additives in my ammonia.

time will tell.

oh, and checkout this thread for some pics of some ghosties that will go into this tank once its finished cycling:

viewtopic.php?t=1938

-John (AKA: The Puffer Ninja)

YuccaPatrol · Post by **YuccaPatrol** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 7:10 pm

Maybe I can help you to read the color charts. The directions are really not as clear as they should be.

If you'll look at your chart, you'll notice that there is a white space the same width as the test tube on one side of the card. Place the tube directly against that white space and view the tube under a bright light at an angle that prevents shadows from forming behind the tube.

If you do this right, it is very easy to distinguish between subtle color changes.

The Fisherman · Post by **The Fisherman** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 7:16 pm

Ok, thanks YuccaPatrol, i'll try that.

-John (AKA: The Puffer Ninja)

YuccaPatrol · Post by **YuccaPatrol** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 8:16 pm

Forgive me, I had a typo in the last post!. I had typed "card" instead of "tube" I edited it in bold.

The Fisherman · Post by **The Fisherman** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 11:38 am

Hehe, no worries YuccaPatrol, I hadn't even noticed the typo and had interpreted it the same way it is written now.

Although I still hate color charts....i'm going to be asking for a electronic ph meter for christmas, or buy it if I get the job I applied for.

-John (AKA: The Puffer Ninja)

The Fisherman · Post by **The Fisherman** » Wed Sep 20, 2006 1:23 pm

9/20/06

Still have the same parameters...

I'm worried that the Ammonia solution had additives in it, that makes it impossible for nitrifying bacteria to survive.

I did a 50% water change to dilute any possible additives.

I think I will go back to my previous method of using rotting fish food. Such as chunks of clam etc.

-John (AKA: The Puffer Ninja)

Neonshrimp · Post by **Neonshrimp** » Wed Sep 20, 2006 4:07 pm

Diluting the additives might solve the problem only if that is the problem. However, if it is something else you will be better off not changing the water. I would probably not change anymore water and then see how it goes. Give it some time, how long ago did you start the cycling process again? Hope it works out for you

badflash · Post by **badflash** » Wed Sep 20, 2006 4:08 pm

You must have access to another tank with a filter in it don't you? Just remove the filter and cllean itout in the new tank. Presto! Cycled tank.

Newjohn · Post by **Newjohn** » Wed Sep 20, 2006 4:18 pm

I would have to agree with badflash.

The sponge squeeze method, Is how I start every tank.
Or, I should say every Hard water tank.
And I have never had a problem.

John