Too much beneficial bacteria?

[emilyruthwinsor]

I’ve recently brought a saltwater tank and after cycling it added 3 fish. After a week of having the fish in the tank I’ve had a nitrite spike, due to my own fault of feeding them too much the first few days whilst getting used to it all.

A visit to my LFS (10 days into spike with nitrite reading 1.0 in a 20 gal tank) they’ve informed me I have to shake the beneficial bacteria I have been adding as it all settles at the bottom of the bottle.

I did today and the colour of it was orange but the last week I’ve been adding clear fluid obviously from the top of the bottle.

In the last week I have done 2 30% water changes and siphoned the sand at the bottom of the tank a few times as recommended by LFS so have taken a lot of bacteria out but haven’t been putting much in due to not shaking.

Would it be okay to add more bacteria to catch up and lower the nitrites or is there such thing as too much good bacteria?

 

[G Santana]

Welcome to the Reef

 

[Fish Think Pink]

Thank you this is so helpful!

I have been using Colombo Bacto.

As my nitrate isn’t too high then do you think I’d be okay to add a cleaner shrimp after testing ammonia? Want to get one of those guys in there as think they’d be extremely helpful for my tank.

I’ve recently brought a saltwater tank and after cycling it added 3 fish. After a week of having the fish in the tank I’ve had a nitrite spike, due to my own fault of feeding them too much the first few days whilst getting used to it all.

A visit to my LFS (10 days into spike with nitrite reading 1.0 in a 20 gal tank) they’ve informed me I have to shake the beneficial bacteria I have been adding as it all settles at the bottom of the bottle.

I did today and the colour of it was orange but the last week I’ve been adding clear fluid obviously from the top of the bottle.

In the last week I have done 2 30% water changes and siphoned the sand at the bottom of the tank a few times as recommended by LFS so have taken a lot of bacteria out but haven’t been putting much in due to not shaking.

Would it be okay to add more bacteria to catch up and lower the nitrites or is there such thing as too much good bacteria?

Hi Emily and Welcome! I'm Lisa. Glad you joined. Let your tank stabilize before adding anything else. Test to ensure your ammonia is down at near zero (depending your kit, could get false higher readings) and watch what your nitrates are doing - you are trying to get a stable cycle - ammonia > nitrite > nitrate - but you're forcing fast cycle with bacteria and simultaneously removing... track your nitrate to know where your cycle is and from your nitrate number you'll know your next water change.

This is a good reference book type online article I still review:

The Supreme Guide To Setting Up A Saltwater Reef Aquarium

This article was sponsored by @MarineDepot at www.marinedepot.com. Introduction The marine environment is one of the most complex systems on the planet. The aquarium you are about to set up is only a tiny sliver of the vast ocean, but it is no...

www.reef2reef.com

Learning to do your own research early will pay off later. Recommend researching before doing anything more/new. Shrimp and other inverts are more sensitive than most fish. Patience is the magic in this hobby.

Have you considered starting your build thread? I found its a great place to document my tank's evolution for myself. I started tank first then joined, so I'm still finding myself going back collecting pictures & updating historically as well as current state. Once you create your first post in your thread and link it to your account, they will give you build badge (look left, under my ID)

This might help you find people local to you in London (UK):

Global Local Reef Club Discussion

Looking for some locals to share frags and info with? This is the place! Find a local club that meets in your area! If you want to add your club just contact us.

www.reef2reef.com

 

[blaxsun]

 

[tharbin]

Welcome to R2R!

 

[RichReef]

Welcome!

 

[Jimbhoy13]

Welcome to R2R and the salty world Emily. Lots of good advice already given. Lots of knowledgeable and helpful people here who will support and advise you when needed.

 

[GillMeister]

Welcome 2 the Reef!

My only advice would be to RELAX and let nature do its thing. It's common to panic with every new development as your system tries to stabilize. You'll have diatom, hydroid, algae and Dino outbreaks during the first year or more. If you consistently feed the right amount, monitor, and do regular maintenance the system will settle in on its own. Don't over react.

Take it from the guy who's made a few mistakes along the way.

 

[SPR1968]

Welcome to R2R!

 

[AydenLincoln]

Welcome to the forum, and as above do ammonia check. Also the bacteria will be dormant if they don’t have the required nutrients for them to divide and multiply. And siphoning the gravel is probably also overkill. Slow things down now feed moderately check ammonia and take good care of your fish.

and best of luck

WOW! What is that unique looking creature?

 

[AydenLincoln]

 

[Sthomp01]

Welcome to Reef 2 Reef

 

[bnord]

WOW! What is that unique looking creature?

Flamboyant cuttlefish Metaspepia pfefferi



shot the picture in my file at the Shedd aquarium - here is a you tube that is fun to look at

 

[Sean Clark]

Welcome to the party.