Questions regarding softwater tanks

[Phil_1983]

Okay, thank you. That's really good information, especially good to know when the tank is really starting to “run in.”

 

[MacZ]

It takes at least a year to get through all the trials and tribulations and to reach a balanced system.

 

[Mike Wise]

"Slow and steady wins the race" (Aesop). I personally wouldn't reduce water changes to less than once ever 2 weeks, but it depends on numbers of fish.

 

[Phil_1983]

I understand that patience is key, and I’m willing to take my time to ensure the fish have a good life.

I will definitely continue with weekly water changes, although I may reduce the amount of water changed after a year or so, depending on how the tank develops.

 

[Phil_1983]

Hello everyone,

I would like to give a quick update here. Contrary to expectations, I have now been experiencing a nitrite spike for exactly 7 days.

Five days ago, I changed 50% of the water, after which the nitrite level rose again.I'll do another wc today, since the test shows a nitrite-level of around 3 mg/l.
The nitrate level is also high, which I suspect is due to the corresponding bacterial conversion of the nitrite.

Apart from this long peak, everything is actually going well. The electrical conductivity is around 45 us/cm.

I added an Echinodorus decumbens about 10 days ago. It is currently doing well. This applies to all plants, with the exception of Echinodorus Grandiflorus.

Here is a picture from yesterday evening, just to give your eyes something to look at

 

[MacZ]

Lovely tank, getting better visually.

 

[Ben Rhau]

That is somewhat surprising, since you didn't mention adding any fish. What is the nitrogen source that is allowing nitrite and nitrate to accumulate?

 

[Mike Wise]

Nitrogen source is probably plant material. I see a 'fuzzy' pod on the right of the tank. It is deteriorating and fungus is working on it. Not a real problem IMHO. Time and nitrifying bacteria is all that is needed.

 

[MacZ]

That is somewhat surprising, since you didn't mention adding any fish. What is the nitrogen source that is allowing nitrite and nitrate to accumulate?

He's adding leaf litter and the dead plant material that's in there from the start is now decomposing. It's how I start my tanks, too. Instead of adding (and endangering fish) or just adding small amounts of fish food. It has several advantages in my opinion. You allow bacteria, fungi and archaea to colonize the whole plant material, meaning the processes that usually happen inside the filter material are moved into the tank itself. Ther positive side-effects: Continuous release of humic substances and lots of stuff growing on the material is great as a dietary addition for fish.

 

[MacZ]

Time and nitrifying bacteria is all that is needed.

Exactomundo!

 

[Ben Rhau]

Of course, I'm not suggesting that the OP should add exogenous nitrogen. However, 3ppm nitrite is very high to be accounted for by decaying plant matter alone. Plants are net nitrogen consumers, so I would not expect a spike of any kind. Therefore, I'm wondering where the nitrogen is coming from.

 

[Phil_1983]

Thank you all for your responses. I was a little concerned because of the high levels of nitrite.

To be honest, if it's not just the decaying plant material, I have no idea what else it could be. The only things I add are the tea that Mac described in post no. 4 on the first page of this thread and 5–7 small catappa or guava leaves after the regular water change.
The nitrite levels started to rise last week. I did not change anything before or after this. So whatever is causing the spike must be in the tank, I guess.

 

[MacZ]

I myself had no spike when using this method, others did. So in my opinion this is nothing unusual.

BUT to @Phil_1983 : Which testkit are you using?

 

[Phil_1983]

Ok, thanks.

I am using the JBL Drip test. To extend the range, I used 4 ml of RO Water plus 1 ml of tank water, since the Initial test was showing a color much darker than the max. value of the kit (1 mg/l).

 

[MacZ]

I am using the JBL Drip test. To extend the range, I used 4 ml of RO Water plus 1 ml of tank water, since the Initial test was showing a color much darker than the max. value of the kit (1 mg/l).

Ok, this might be the key. The test solution reacts with the tannins. You might want to do a check using test strips and if they also give you high levels you indeed have this. If not you should probably also try the sera testkit.

 

[Phil_1983]

Okay, will get some test strips.Thanks. do you have any recommendation?

Do you know if this is a jbl-only concern or a general one with drop-tests?

 

[dw1305]

I would like to give a quick update here. Contrary to expectations, I have now been experiencing a nitrite spike for exactly 7 days.

The nitrate level is also high, which I suspect is due to the corresponding bacterial conversion of the nitrite.

I'm pretty sure that is the test kits, not a true reading. One reason is that comammox Nitrospira look to be the prime ammonia oxidising microbes at low pH and ammonia loadings and the comammox process oxidises ammonium (NH4+) directly to nitrate (NO3-).

Apart from this long peak, everything is actually going well. The electrical conductivity is around 45 us/cm.

You don't have many ions of any description, which makes the NO2- & NO3- readings even more unlikely.

I added an Echinodorus decumbens about 10 days ago. It is currently doing well. This applies to all plants, with the exception of Echinodorus Grandiflorus.

Here is a picture from yesterday evening, just to give your eyes something to look at View attachment 17565

Looks good, is your floating plant Water Lettuce (Pistia stratiotes)?

Ok, this might be the key. The test solution reacts with the tannins. You might want to do a check using test strips and if they also give you high levels you indeed have this. If not you should probably also try the sera testkit.

I think that is the answer.

Cheers Darrel

 

[MacZ]

Okay, will get some test strips.Thanks. do you have any recommendation?

JBL or Sera.

Do you know if this is a jbl-only concern or a general one with drop-tests?

JBL-specific.

 

[MacZ]

JBL or Sera.

And stay away from all the app-based options.

 

[Phil_1983]

I'm pretty sure that is the test kits, not a true reading. One reason is that comammox Nitrospira look to be the prime ammonia oxidising microbes at low pH and ammonia loadings and the comammox process oxidises ammonium (NH4+) directly to nitrate (NO3-).

You don't have many ions of any description, which makes the NO2- & NO3- readings even more unlikely.

Okay, that makes sense. May I ask if there is a way to obtain realistic measurements so that I don't have to guess? I'm pretty sure there are methods used in laboratories, but I'm looking for something that a “normal hobbyist” can use
I wanted to buy some test strips today, as Mac suggested.

Looks good, is your floating plant Water Lettuce (Pistia stratiotes)?

There are actually three different types of floating plants in the tank.

Limnobium laevigatum, because I read your duckweed index.
Phyllutans fluitans.
I also got some Salvinia minima.

It's pretty chaotic up there, but I figured I'd just try out what works.