Habitat - Indoor :: Nitrite and Nitrate in danger zone

[papoopeepoo]

I recommend Fluval. They're all I've used for turtle tanks. A Fluval 405 will probably work well for your 55 gallon, or a 305 if you really really can't squeeze a 405 in your budget. Check eBay, you can usually find great deals on new filters there.

[Ashley]

So awesome news!
No, the levels are still screwed up, but it looks like we may have the bigger take as early as next week!!

I went by a local shop that specializes in aquariums and fish care, and they're having a pretty good sale.
We can get a 55gal tank, plus a stand, plus they're including a filter, heater (which we don't have since it's not cold enough for her tank to need one, but will come in handy this Winter), and some other stuff for cheaper than anywhere I've looked.
The filter is for 55gal tanks, which will do until we can afford a Fluval 405.
But the tank and stand are the exact same ones I was looking at buying from Petco or elsewhere online.

The people at the shop are really nice, and I'm happy that it's a local business that I can support.

[Ashley]

Update and quick question:
We got the new tank nearly two weeks ago and Bowser loves it!
Close to 50 gallons of water for a 4 inch turtle, a nice new filter with lots of biomedia added, and the use of Nutrafin Cycle.
Now the nitrite levels are slowly creeping up again, but not nearly as fast or as high as in the old tank.
We did a 20% water change after one week.

What we would like to know is how often and how much should we change the water?
Is 20% a week good?
We finally can use a siphon since the tank isn't on the floor! Water changes are so much easier!

Any other tips on keeping the levels safe?
Or are we doing things right and this is just part of the cycle?


Ok, so that was more than one question!

[Shelldon]

i have the fluval U2 and tomorrow im getting a U3 or U4 to add to filtration and add a place for shelldon to sleep (he likes sleeping on top of filters for some reason.) I personally like the fluval because they are simple enough, easy to clean, and most of them are in tank filters (which i prefer) my U2 has been giving me great performance already.

[Marcus.85]

The nitrite levels will slowly rise then drop down to zero, when that happens the tank will be cycled. It's normal.
If the filteration is powerful enough, that is.

[Ashley]

The filter is an Aqueon 55 powerfilter...it seems to be doing a good job with circulating the water.
Plus, we have it filled with a bunch of biomedia.

So should we do water changes of any amount, or would that disrupt the cycle too much?
We are adding fresh (treated) water as the existing water evaporates.
We lose about a centimeter per day or two days since the filter has a splashing waterfall.

[Marcus.85]

The filter is an Aqueon 55 powerfilter...it seems to be doing a good job with circulating the water.
Plus, we have it filled with a bunch of biomedia.

So should we do water changes of any amount, or would that disrupt the cycle too much?
We are adding fresh (treated) water as the existing water evaporates.
We lose about a centimeter per day or two days since the filter has a splashing waterfall.

Exactly, it's rated for 55 gal while you should have a filter rated for at least 100 to be sure. But who knows maybe it'll be enough.
As for water changes i'd say you should do frequent one of about 10% every 2 (or 3) days in the first 2 weeks, since the filter isn't cycled yet. At least that's what I usually do and I read around.
If there wasn't any inhabitants in the tank while it cycled you wouldn't have had to change any water at all instead.

[Ashley]

So now the levels are all back down in the safe zones...we haven't changed any of the water in nearly two weeks and have left the filter cartridges alone.
But, we want to change out a portion of the water soon since it's getting a bit murky.
The question is, how much of the water can we change without messing up the cycle?
And when can we change the filter cartridges?

[Shelldon]

i think its 30% if im not mistaken

[papoopeepoo]

The question is, how much of the water can we change without messing up the cycle?
And when can we change the filter cartridges?

20-30% water changes should be fine.

You shouldn't really need to touch the canister filter more than bi-weekly. Checking occasionally to see how dirty the sponges are is a good idea. If you have sponge type mechanical media you can rinse it with a hose and reuse. The biological media should be left alone.