Bio Filter to help my LR reduce Ammonia

cmay · 02-28-2007, 04:12 PM

After my post regarding "rise in ammonia" and how regular water changes will help reduce ammonia levels I was wondering why my LR is not reducing my ammonia levels via the nitrogen cycle, I have about 20 kilos at the moment with good water flow.

I want to use LR and a skimmer for filtration.

Would you recommend I use a mechanical/biological filter (small) to help keep ammonia levels down until my LR quantity is sufficient or will this cause nitrate levels to rise (as with a trickle filter)

doctorthompson · 03-01-2007, 05:05 AM

20 kg isn't very much LR for a 60 gallon tank, but even with a SSB it should be able to handle processing all the ammonia and nitrite (but maybe not all the nitrate) for the bioload you have listed in your signature -- assuming you also do regular water changes.

If I remember correctly, you weren't doing regular water changes before -- they make a huge difference. I change around 20 gallons (1 small Rubbermaid Brute) a week on our 75 gallon, but you could probably get away with as little as 5g a week or 10g every 2 weeks on your tank if you're not overfeeding.

If you've only got 20kg in there because of the price of LR, see if your LFS sells dry base rock. Much cheaper. It'll take a while (week or more) for the beneficial bacteria to develop but the other infauna (pods,worms,etc..) from your tank will start colonizing a new chunk of rock almost immediately.

Ocelot199 · 03-01-2007, 03:27 PM

I wouldn't put a bio filter on... cause when you take it off, you're gonna have a bunch of problems again (since taking it out means you're taking out all the bacteria colonies that're living in the filter medium). I have a HOB filter on my freshwater tank, and it's a constant pain. Maybe thats just the one I got, but it doesn't really do anything useful except keep the water from going stagnant.

Your best bet is to just get more LR. I was in the same boat... NH3 problems cause my LR was crappy (not enough of it and not very porous), so I got a 25 lbs box from Marcorocks. A month later and all my levels are constantly at zero (even NO3, which is awsome). Seriously, click the link at the top of the site... it was cheap and very very much worth it, plus it looks really good. Plus you're helping out a TR sponsor

Also, be patient. Sometimes it just takes a while.

**Seahorsedreams** · 03-01-2007, 06:35 PM

How did your cycle go? What did you use to cycle the tank?

cmay · 03-03-2007, 06:34 PM

Hi DoctorThompson, Ocelot199, seahorsedreams

Thanks for replying to my post, hopefully I have answered your questions below:

I was advised to skip the dead shrimp due to LR and LSSB, within the first week I had tiny crabs, mushroom polyps, loads of amphipods and tiny feather dusters poking out of my LR.

I also watched waste being shot out from tiny holes in my LR, witch I thought would help my cycle

After 5 weeks I introduced a 6 man clean up crew (all levels 0) I had purple/blue algae growing by this time, after 2 months all my levels were still 0 (test kit and checked by my LFS) so I purchased 4 x 3 spotted damsels

During this time I did not carry out regular water changes.

Than my ammonia level went to 0.1

My plan was to introduce LR slowly due to price and to help minimize any further die off.

I will be in a position to purchase the correct amount of LR in two weeks, will it be ok to put around 40 kilos in my tank in one go (LR is cured)

I don’t really want to add a filter as I only want LR and this seems to be the best filtration possible if setup correctly, but I guess im starting to panic as I do not want to stress or damage anyone in my tank.

I've probably carried out a 30% water change and im still finding small traces of ammonia, My understanding is that out tanks are constantly cycling/shifting but im worried if I change to much water I will cause a big shift in my water equibrilium.

Ocelot199 · 03-03-2007, 07:42 PM

Every time you add new LR, even stuff thats already cured, you're gonna have some die-off of stuff that lives on it, and thus a mini cycle. So you might wanna rethink adding the LR gradually like that to avoid stressing your livestock.

I would just keep doing normal water changes and moniter levels. Get as much new LR (or base rock and seed it, if you're patient) at the same time and then let the tank sit until stuff works itself out.

You also might wanna get a skimmer pretty soon, if you don't already have one.

**Seahorsedreams** · 03-03-2007, 08:46 PM

In my opinion, if you don't get a good hard cycle going you'll be dinkering around in there forever. If you keep changing the water you will also prolong things. If your tank can't handle one table shrimp in there it wont be able to handle the addition of a fish.

Wait now, do you already have a fish in there?

Yes, our tanks are always shifting but I wouldn't say they are always cycling in the true sense of the word. I never have ammonia in any of mine.

What is your water source? It's not conditioned tap is it?

cmay · 03-04-2007, 05:13 AM

Thanks for the advice.

Im using a 4 stage RO unit.

I will continue to add more LR and monitor.

**Seahorsedreams** · 03-04-2007, 02:24 PM

Could you test your SW before it's added to the tank for me?

cmay · 03-04-2007, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seahorsedreams

Could you test your SW before it's added to the tank for me?

Do you mean check my ammonia after I've mixed my Salt in to my newly prepared RO water.

I have tested my RO which is 0 for ammonia but not with the salt water mixed, do you think the salt maybe making my reading slightly shift color, i use IO.

I will try as soon as i get home.

Because the color shift is so small im wondering if it was the same color when I first tested, I will also ask my LFS to carry out another water test.

**Seahorsedreams** · 03-04-2007, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmay

Do you mean check my ammonia after I've mixed my Salt in to my newly prepared RO water.

I have tested my