Spare a square?

[goldiegyrl]

I, unfortunately, underdosed my dechlorinator with my last 50% water change. Luckily I recognized my error quickly, but not quickly enough to save my nearly cycled nitrification bacteria  
So now I have an uncycled tank with my 2 new ranchus and wondering if someone has some biomedia, matured sponge filter from a healthy tank to share with me. I would, of course, replace the filter.
Oh yeah, currently I am using an AquaClear 20, so an old sponge would work too. (I am awaiting a shipment from Pets and Ponds of my new Emperor 280 filter.)
Anyother options you can suggest are most welcome.
I will, of course, be testing frequently and changing the water as needed.
Thanks all.

[squeeker]

OD'ing dechlor can upset the biofilter?  I do it all the time, and I've never had a problem.

I have a sponge if you want, just PM me.


BTW, where did you get your beautiful goldie?

[Nelson]

I would be surprised to say the least to know that under or over dosing de-chlorinator has an affect on filtration bacteria.  I use it in all my tanks (cichlid tank excluded) and have never measured the dosage.  In fact I've forgotten to add it on occasion (it's an old guy thing :roll:) without any problems

[goldiegyrl]

I think I must have killed off the beneficial bacteria, because today I have ammonia, zero nitrites, and zero nitrates! Yesterday I was almost completely cycled (on the downside of the nitrite peak).

How I did it:

1) I always measure my dechlorinator (AquaPlus). I normally use 1ml/gallon (treats chloramine, while 0.5ml/gallon treats chlorine) - this time I thought, "Why am I using double the amount? (see below) This is a waste, I'll just use the right amount to treat chlorine."

2) I thought Ottawa used chlorine in its water treatment (it does, in its water processing, but it uses chloramine just before it sends the water out to the taps).

3) I did a large volume water change (50%).

Then, my new fish started to look unwell (I am just getting to know them), my Seachem Ammonia Alert changed colour. Then I knew what had happened. The water contained chloramine! and I had underdosed the dechlorinator! So I immediately added some more.

So it seems that I killed the bacteria this way. Does this make sense?

And about my beautiful Ranchus, there is very limited availability of these fish but I did find a terrific, professional importer/breeder in Toronto. His business is called The Fish Sempai. You can click here to see more pictures of his Ranchus. He has many other varieties of goldfish.

[squeeker]

Goldiegyrl,

I've heard of Fish Sempai, he does have gorgeous goldies.  I plan on stopping in to see him on my way through Toronto next time I go home.

When your fish are settled in, I'd love to see some tank pics!  I'm also a goldie lover.

As for the dechlor:  I always perform 50% changes on my tanks, and I also use AquaPlus.  However, I never double-dose on my goldie tank and I've never had a problem.  I do, however, regularly double-dose on my other 2 tanks (just because the measurement is easier!) and I've also never had a problem.