Question: Cloudy water, trying to cycle new tank

Keem1871

New member
Joined
Mar 20, 2022
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
Points
1
Location
Minnesota
Country
United States
I'm trying to cycle a new aquarium for an axolotl. I'm completely brand new to all of this and really have no idea if I'm doing things right, or completely wrong.
When I woke up today the water was so Cloudy you can't even see through it.. (was clear last night) did my water tests, pH is high - 8.2, 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites, 0 nitrates. Is that even possible?
Yesterday the ammonia test read .50. How does the ammonia go away with no nitrites or nitrates present? Very confused.
If anyone could shed light in what may be happening please do!
the only thing I've used is seachem prime and seachem stability. I'll post a picture of the water.
20220328_191646.jpg
20220328_191133.jpg
 
add a air-stone the tank, the cloudiness is bacteria bloom but because bacteria require oxygen they remove it from the water allowing denitrifying bacteria to grow which will remove the nitrates. is there a smell to the water?
what levels are you dosing the ammonia at?
bacteria bloom happens sometimes during cycling, it soon clears up once you have bacteria established in the filtration system.
 
add a air-stone the tank, the cloudiness is bacteria bloom but because bacteria require oxygen they remove it from the water allowing denitrifying bacteria to grow which will remove the nitrates. is there a smell to the water?
what levels are you dosing the ammonia at?
bacteria bloom happens sometimes during cycling, it soon clears up once you have bacteria established in the filtration system.
Yes, the water smells.
I followed the instructions on the ammonia bottle (Dr tims) 4 drops per gallon. It's a 36 gallon tank so I put about 8ml in there. It was consistently at 2ppm until last night when it was at .50. I put only 5ml in last night, and now it's at 0ppm. I am just so confused because nitrites have been at 0 the whole time. (7 days.) How did the ammonia dissappear with no nitrites?
 
Yes, the water smells.
I followed the instructions on the ammonia bottle (Dr tims) 4 drops per gallon. It's a 36 gallon tank so I put about 8ml in there. It was consistently at 2ppm until last night when it was at .50. I put only 5ml in last night, and now it's at 0ppm. I am just so confused because nitrites have been at 0 the whole time. (7 days.) How did the ammonia dissappear with no nitrites?
the water has become toxic but only in the fact that there is low oxygen, put a air-stone in the water.
there are two types of bacteria in complete nitrogen cycle, aerobic/nitrifying bacteria consume/convert ammonia into nitrites then nitrites into nitrates, anaerobic/denitrifying bacteria that consume/convert nitrates into nitrogen.
the bacteria that consume/convert ammonia and nitrites use the oxygen in the water.
normally nitrates are removed via water changes but when there is a lack of oxygen bacteria consume/use the oxygen in the nitrates producing nitrogen which gives of a smell.
put a air-stone in the water the finer the bubbles the better the oxygenation, top up the ammonia daily to 2ppm (normally recommended to be 4ppm but if you are only having one axolotl 2ppm should be enough).
don't do a water change unless the nitrates are at 110 or higher. even if you are getting zero ammonia and nitrites after 24hrs keep cycling until the water clears, the bacteria needs to establish itself into the filter.

 
General chit-chat
Help Users
  • No one is chatting at the moment.
  • SkudulfXD:
    Hello!!! I'm new to this website and idk how to ask a proper question on the designated spot yet, so I'll ask here, I'm a first time Axolotl owner, and my dad used to run an aquarium store, anyways... Orca, my Axolotl, seems to loose parts of her toes on one limb from time to time, I can't seem to find the problem. Tempature is well, she doesn't seem to have any infections or anything, though. And I'm not sure if I'll be able to find a vet in Brazil for amphibians that are in a reasonable distance to drive without stressing Orca out too much
    20241201_124749.jpg
    20241201_124838.jpg
    +1
    Unlike
  • Toast69:
    Hello, I’m hoping for some advice please. Our Axolotl is about 7 months old. Till now no problem. Eating, growing and happy. He’s simply stopped eating. Everything looks fine, his gills look healthy and no apparent signs of sickness. He just swims past the pellets and bloodworm like he can’t smell it. I don’t think it’s a blockage either. Any ideas and suggestions for treatment would be much appreciated. Thank you!
    +1
    Unlike
  • Olivia:):
    what is the best thermometer for my axolotl tank? preferably on Amazon, and can you show me a picture or a link:) thank you!
    +1
    Unlike
  • Olivia:):
    Also should I have a fan hitting my axolotl tank 24/7?
    +1
    Unlike
  • thenewtster:
    does anyone know how to care for mud salamanders:)thanks.
    +1
    Unlike
  • thenewtster:
    hello
    +1
    Unlike
  • thenewtster:
    how long do mud salamanders live
    +1
    Unlike
  • thenewtster:
    im new to the salamaner comunity
    +1
    Unlike
  • thenewtster:
    hey guys, again im resarching mud salamander babys and there care:)
    +1
    Unlike
  • Katia Del Rio-Tsonis:
    Dear All, I would appreciate some help identifying P. waltl disease and treatment. We received newts from Europe early November and a few maybe 3/70 had what it looked like lesions under the legs- at that time we thought maybe it was the stress of travel- now we think they probably had "red leg syndrome" (see picture). However a few weeks later other newts started to develop skin lesions (picture enclosed). The sender recommended to use sulfamerazine and we have treated them 2x and we are not sure they are all recovering. Does anyone have any experience with P. waltl diseases and could give some input on this? Any input would be greatly appreciated! Thank you.
    +1
    Unlike
  • Katia Del Rio-Tsonis:
    sorry I am having a hard time trying to upload the pictures- I have them saved on my hard drive... any suggestions-the prompts here are not allowing for downloads that way as far as I can tell. Thanks
    +1
    Unlike
    Katia Del Rio-Tsonis: sorry I am having a hard time trying to upload the pictures- I have them saved on my hard... +1
    Back
    Top