Where did I go wrong with my 55 gal tank? (NTS problems)

NC Frank

Am I the only one that thinks this tank is too small for its current inhabitants. 3 6" kois and a black moor is an awful lot of bio load for a new tank.

DappleDoxieGirl

The tank is young, I think that the green and white acorus has grown and I see a little new root growth on my mondo grass. Anything that has nice leaves, amazons and Wisteria has been eaten though. I did another 75 % water change yesterday and left the water level about 5 inches low to keep the aeration as good as I could sustain it. I took the carbon and ammoinia chips out too. I have the other ceramic chip things that came with the aqua clear filters and I'll try those instead. Thank you guys for your help. I've looked in a few different places and get a different explaination every time. Some of the murkiness cleared up with the last water change, but might return. How long does that normally take? I even had a friend say it's because of El Nino. I had to explain it is most likely a bacteria bloom.

DappleDoxieGirl

You are right, I certainly should have let it cycle properly before putting the fish in. I do not think that it will be too much once the tank is established. With 25-50% water changes, I should be able to work through my blunder.

1077

Bacterial blooms can last for a couple weeks or less in some cases. I agree with all of the others. Is wise that you chose to use the ceramic in the filter along with the sponges. ceramic will provide additional biological filtration(place for good bacteria to colonize) that will be needed in this tank due to large waste producers like Goldfish and possibly pleco (depending on species.)
May be necessary to rinse the sponges in the filter frequently in old aquarium water that you take out during water changes .These fish will in my view ,cause the sponges to become dirty more quickly. You can also help the water quality by feeding these fish sparingly while the aquarium is maturing, perhaps,,every other day . Were it me,, I would perform fifty percent water changes whenever ammonia levels appeared above .25 on test kit. Plants may help use some of the ammonia for growth but a close eye will still be needed to assure that the ammonia levels remain as close to zero as possible. Fish produce ammonia constantly through respiration ,and waste (poop). Plants alone, may not be able to use enough ammonia to keep levels low so water changes will be needed as well.
Should of added this earlier... Do be sure and not clean any material in the filter under tapwater. The tapwater may contain chlorine,or chloramines that will destroy substantial portion of the good bacteria that you are trying to encourage. A water conditioner such as PRIME that detoxifys TOXINS such as chlorine,chloramines,and ammonia is a necessity in my view. Prime will detoxify ammonia but render it in a form that can still be used by the bacteria(good kind) and I wish everyone used it.
One further note. The mollies are tropical fish that appreciate hard alkaline water that Goldfish also do well in ,but the similarity ends there. Mollies need warm temperatures of closer to 80 to 82 degrees while the Koi would absolutely be uncomfortable in temps much above 74 degrees in my opinion with perhaps even cooler temperatures to remain comfortable. I am certain given my own exoieriences with regards to mollies ,but unclear as to ideal temp for Koi.
These fish will appreciate the pond you are planning on placing them in and until then,, they will be a large load on the present tank and filters. Keep up with water changes which may ultimately mean 50 percent twice a week. They are not in ideal situation, but with extreme care, ,,they may be ok until you can place them in a pond. Hope some of this helps.

DappleDoxieGirl

Thank you for the information. In regards to the temperature, the mollies will soon have their own tank. The tank right now is room temperature, about 70 degrees. The Koi should be able to withstand some heat if they can be outdoors in our normal temperatures. I am hoping that I can get the pond situation set up in the next year or less. I don't want a hard shell type, but do not wish to dig since we are planning on moving (to just add to the problem) soon.

Currently the tank has settled some, there is still a little cloudiness, but you can see to the back of the tank. I am feeding very small amounts twice a day. Sinking pellets only and 6 of them. If I continue to have issues with the ammonia (which is good right now) and nitrites I'll just have to stick them in a temporary pond.