Cycling New Tank? (More like what is this slimy white/tan/grey stuff)

MeowKitty49 · 10-09-2012, 06:49 PM

Deleted

**acitydweller** · 10-09-2012, 07:21 PM

Did you seed your tank with mulm and black beard coated medium?

Test for Ammonia, Nitrates and Nitrides. If you are getting Nitrates, that means the cycle is nearing completion.
If you change or add any of the contributors of ammonia, you effectively detriment homeostasis and a new balance needs to be established. What makes this trickier is doing this in only a 2.5 gallon tank.

Its normal for mulm to break down if transplanted to a new tank so i wouldnt worry too much about that. Is there substrate in the tank or is this barebottom?

**acitydweller** · 10-09-2012, 07:29 PM

yeah, wasnt sure what BB was. also, try getting the bacteria from a tank that doesnt have any bad algae...

i would also get the tank water from the other tank (from the top and not the bottom) to accelerate bacteria establishment.

Monster Fish · 10-09-2012, 08:06 PM

What's your params?

**acitydweller** · 10-09-2012, 08:17 PM

Where exactly is this stuff. if its on the plants, take it out and clean otherwise, trim or toss it. Use bleach as a last resort. I dont think you are there yet

Light and water circulation are other things to consider. is the light sufficient to sustain the plants, is the water stagnant?
i'm going to setup my betta tank tonight too so wish me luck.

Monster Fish · 10-09-2012, 08:21 PM

This should be some help: http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/sh...d.php?t=190808

Monster Fish · 10-09-2012, 08:42 PM

Wait for a week and check your parameters again. Your Nitrites should either begin to increase or decrease, depending on how far along you are in the cycle.

MSG · 10-09-2012, 08:58 PM

What brand & model number filter are you using for this 2.5G tank?

Also do you have any photos of this white/brown slime that's stuck on the plants?

Slime is usually pretty slow, so you should be able to get some good clear pictures.

MSG · 10-09-2012, 09:48 PM

I don't like that Hagen Mini E filter because the f-media is too small.

Looks like the white slime is taken over your sponge instead of the B-bacteria.

When you rinse it out, the white slime still dominates a majority of the sponge that why it grows back 1st.

Are the snails & guppy nibbling on the white stuff?
What are you feeding the guppy?
What are you using for the source of ammonia?

Congee · 10-09-2012, 09:50 PM

Do you happen to have any branches or driftwood or anything in there? I had this problem before where I am guessing the SAP did not dry out or something was coming out of my branches. I let my ottos and snails take care of it and they were at it for a few weeks before there weren't anymore.

Monster Fish · 10-09-2012, 10:09 PM

http://www.fishforums.net/index.php?...oms-explained/

Sounds like heterotrophic bacteria.

Monster Fish · 10-09-2012, 10:31 PM

The stuff in the filter looks like dead bacteria.

Yep. They produce ammonia so keep on monitoring that.

Monster Fish · 10-09-2012, 10:41 PM

Yup. Though according to the article, water changes won't do much. The best course of action is to be patient and wait for all of them to die off.

Monster Fish · 10-09-2012, 10:47 PM

I think to prevent any cross-contamination, go with a fresh batch of media. Also if you want to speed up your cycle, look for products containing Nitrospira bacteria only.

**acitydweller** · 10-10-2012, 12:56 AM

If you haven't already, raise the temp to 78 to accelerate the lifecycle.

10-09-2012, 06:49 PM	#1
MeowKitty49 Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (12/100%) Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: 55436 Posts: 66	Cycling New Tank? (More like what is this slimy white/tan/grey stuff) Deleted Last edited by MeowKitty49; 04-14-2013 at 10:28 PM.. Reason: Deleting

10-09-2012, 07:21 PM	#2
acitydweller ओं मणिपद्मे हूं (View User Tanks) PTrader: (126/100%) Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: New York, NY Posts: 6,076	Did you seed your tank with mulm and black beard coated medium? Test for Ammonia, Nitrates and Nitrides. If you are getting Nitrates, that means the cycle is nearing completion. If you change or add any of the contributors of ammonia, you effectively detriment homeostasis and a new balance needs to be established. What makes this trickier is doing this in only a 2.5 gallon tank. Its normal for mulm to break down if transplanted to a new tank so i wouldnt worry too much about that. Is there substrate in the tank or is this barebottom? __________________ Namaste ओं मणिपद्मे हूं My life extends far beyond the limitations of me Keeper of the LIST

10-09-2012, 07:29 PM	#3
acitydweller ओं मणिपद्मे हूं (View User Tanks) PTrader: (126/100%) Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: New York, NY Posts: 6,076	yeah, wasnt sure what BB was. also, try getting the bacteria from a tank that doesnt have any bad algae... i would also get the tank water from the other tank (from the top and not the bottom) to accelerate bacteria establishment. __________________ Namaste ओं मणिपद्मे हूं My life extends far beyond the limitations of me Keeper of the LIST

10-09-2012, 08:06 PM	#4
Monster Fish Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (24/100%) Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Queens, NY Posts: 1,838	What's your params? __________________ 5.5 gallon grass tank\|5.5 gallon Rili tank RAOK Club #77\|*The Fraternity of Dirt #112*

10-09-2012, 08:17 PM	#5
acitydweller ओं मणिपद्मे हूं (View User Tanks) PTrader: (126/100%) Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: New York, NY Posts: 6,076	Where exactly is this stuff. if its on the plants, take it out and clean otherwise, trim or toss it. Use bleach as a last resort. I dont think you are there yet Light and water circulation are other things to consider. is the light sufficient to sustain the plants, is the water stagnant? i'm going to setup my betta tank tonight too so wish me luck. __________________ Namaste ओं मणिपद्मे हूं My life extends far beyond the limitations of me Keeper of the LIST

10-09-2012, 08:21 PM	#6
Monster Fish Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (24/100%) Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Queens, NY Posts: 1,838	This should be some help: http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/sh...d.php?t=190808 __________________ 5.5 gallon grass tank\|5.5 gallon Rili tank RAOK Club #77\|*The Fraternity of Dirt #112*

10-09-2012, 08:42 PM	#7
Monster Fish Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (24/100%) Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Queens, NY Posts: 1,838	Wait for a week and check your parameters again. Your Nitrites should either begin to increase or decrease, depending on how far along you are in the cycle. __________________ 5.5 gallon grass tank\|5.5 gallon Rili tank RAOK Club #77\|*The Fraternity of Dirt #112*

10-09-2012, 08:58 PM	#8
MSG Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: East Coast Posts: 270	What brand & model number filter are you using for this 2.5G tank? Also do you have any photos of this white/brown slime that's stuck on the plants? Slime is usually pretty slow, so you should be able to get some good clear pictures.

10-09-2012, 09:48 PM	#9
MSG Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: East Coast Posts: 270	I don't like that Hagen Mini E filter because the f-media is too small. Looks like the white slime is taken over your sponge instead of the B-bacteria. When you rinse it out, the white slime still dominates a majority of the sponge that why it grows back 1st. Are the snails & guppy nibbling on the white stuff? What are you feeding the guppy? What are you using for the source of ammonia?

10-09-2012, 09:50 PM	#10
Congee Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1/100%) Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Woodhaven Posts: 179	Do you happen to have any branches or driftwood or anything in there? I had this problem before where I am guessing the SAP did not dry out or something was coming out of my branches. I let my ottos and snails take care of it and they were at it for a few weeks before there weren't anymore.

10-09-2012, 10:09 PM	#11
Monster Fish Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (24/100%) Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Queens, NY Posts: 1,838	http://www.fishforums.net/index.php?...oms-explained/ Sounds like heterotrophic bacteria. __________________ 5.5 gallon grass tank\|5.5 gallon Rili tank RAOK Club #77\|*The Fraternity of Dirt #112*

10-09-2012, 10:31 PM	#12
Monster Fish Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (24/100%) Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Queens, NY Posts: 1,838	The stuff in the filter looks like dead bacteria. Yep. They produce ammonia so keep on monitoring that. __________________ 5.5 gallon grass tank\|5.5 gallon Rili tank RAOK Club #77\|*The Fraternity of Dirt #112*

10-09-2012, 10:41 PM	#13
Monster Fish Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (24/100%) Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Queens, NY Posts: 1,838	Yup. Though according to the article, water changes won't do much. The best course of action is to be patient and wait for all of them to die off. __________________ 5.5 gallon grass tank\|5.5 gallon Rili tank RAOK Club #77\|*The Fraternity of Dirt #112*

10-09-2012, 10:47 PM	#14
Monster Fish Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (24/100%) Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Queens, NY Posts: 1,838	I think to prevent any cross-contamination, go with a fresh batch of media. Also if you want to speed up your cycle, look for products containing Nitrospira bacteria only. __________________ 5.5 gallon grass tank\|5.5 gallon Rili tank RAOK Club #77\|*The Fraternity of Dirt #112*

10-10-2012, 12:56 AM	#15
acitydweller ओं मणिपद्मे हूं (View User Tanks) PTrader: (126/100%) Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: New York, NY Posts: 6,076	If you haven't already, raise the temp to 78 to accelerate the lifecycle. __________________ Namaste ओं मणिपद्मे हूं My life extends far beyond the limitations of me Keeper of the LIST

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode