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From: richard@gryphon.CTS.COM (Richard Sexton)
Newsgroups: alt.aquaria,rec.pets
Subject: Re: Nitrification...
Message-ID: <2397@gryphon.CTS.COM>
Date: Tue, 24-Nov-87 14:22:00 EST
Article-I.D.: gryphon.2397
Posted: Tue Nov 24 14:22:00 1987
Date-Received: Sat, 28-Nov-87 07:47:47 EST
References: <7044@pur-ee.UUCP>
Reply-To: richard@gryphon.CTS.COM (Richard Sexton)
Distribution: na
Organization: Trailing Edge Technology, Redondo Beach, CA
Lines: 42
Keywords: How long??? Thats rather personal, don't you think ?
Summary: This is the time to be careful
Xref: mnetor alt.aquaria:11 rec.pets:2008

In article <7044@pur-ee.UUCP> tom@ee.ecn.purdue.edu (Tom McCain) writes:
>
>
>
>I have recently set up a salt water tank (3 weeks ago).  What I'am
>wondering is how long does it usually take a tank to go through
>nitrification?  I was under the impression that it only took a week
>maybe two.  I have a Tomato clown and a Domino damsel that are doing
>great, but I'am going into my 4th week and I like to put a few more 
>fish in soon...  Also I am only feeding 1 time a day very lightly. 
>Is it common that this takes 4 - 5 weeks?



With a new tank, new water, etc. the 1 month point is critical. This is
the point where nitrification is just starting to get going. Your 
nitrates and nitrites probably look good, and the temptation is great
to just dump a bunch of new fish in the tank.

RESIST THAT URGE !

Add fish slowly, 1 at a time is preferable, and keep a watch on the 
nitrates and nitrites. You will probably see nitrates and nitrates
spike briefly as you add new specimens to your tank. You will want 
to wait until they level off, and spread out the introduction of
new specimens over a longish period of time.

Yes, it's common to take 4 - 5 weeks. Even longer...

>
>---
>
>* Tom McCain
>* UUCP: ...!pur-ee!tom
>* ARPA: !tom@ee.ecn.purdue.edu


-- 
Richard J. Sexton
INTERNET:     richard@gryphon.CTS.COM
UUCP:         {hplabs!hp-sdd, sdcsvax, ihnp4, nosc}!crash!gryphon!richard

"It's too dark to put the keys in my ignition..."