Hi,
Really need some help with this one.....
Wasn't sure where to post this question, but this seemed like the most "General" Forum....
This question doesn't concern plants--without the addition of a Sump/PlantFilter, but I can really use a pointer here.......
Basically, I need to know if there is anything I can add to a system--29g or less---that will help maintain the beneficial bacteria as the fish load fluctuates up and down.....???
I keep fully aquatic snakes and their food is Fish (Minnows and Comets). In order to keep from having to go to the bait store every time I turn around, and deal with the temp. change (45F to 84F)---I buy extra/in bulk, and keep them in a holding tank. The problem is: By the time the holding tank population is low enough for me to go get more fish--the Beneficial Bacteria colony has died off enough to be unable to handle the new fish load when I return with more fish. The result is rapid Ammonia build-up that really isn't controllable with Ammo-Lock and water changes.
I tried putting them in a 40g fully cycled aquarium that was divided and planted on 1 half. That worked well. But now that tank is housing an Acrochordus javanicus--so its not an option anymore. I already have 7 tanks set up and really don't want to setup another large aquarium just to handle the intial influx of fish.
I really cannot plant the holding tank, because trying to get the feeder fish back out--would simply be an exercise in futility!
And the Comets are notorious Plant Eaters anyway. So, a Plant Filter/Sump would be the only option there--which is one I am trying to avoid, if possible.
So, basically what I am looking for is to find out if I can simply add something to the system--like ammonia--to help maintain the Beneficial Bacteria Colony, as the actual Fish population declines.
I've considered freezing some minnows and tossing one in every couple of days to let it decay and release ammonia to feed the bacteria. I've considered a lot of different things.
Liquid ammonia that I could add by drops would be great, but I don't know how this would affect the fish currently in the system.
Any thoughts or answers, besides another large system w/ or w/o a sump/plant filter?
I've had this problem for over 1 yr now and I've been searching for an answer the whole time---So, I'm really looking for a solution.....
Many Thanx!
Here is a pic of the A. javanicus for anyone interested. The smear of duckweed is from drip-acclimating a new load of fish. Most of the duckweed is gone now--At least the Comets are Good for Something!
Really need some help with this one.....
Wasn't sure where to post this question, but this seemed like the most "General" Forum....
This question doesn't concern plants--without the addition of a Sump/PlantFilter, but I can really use a pointer here.......
Basically, I need to know if there is anything I can add to a system--29g or less---that will help maintain the beneficial bacteria as the fish load fluctuates up and down.....???
I keep fully aquatic snakes and their food is Fish (Minnows and Comets). In order to keep from having to go to the bait store every time I turn around, and deal with the temp. change (45F to 84F)---I buy extra/in bulk, and keep them in a holding tank. The problem is: By the time the holding tank population is low enough for me to go get more fish--the Beneficial Bacteria colony has died off enough to be unable to handle the new fish load when I return with more fish. The result is rapid Ammonia build-up that really isn't controllable with Ammo-Lock and water changes.
I tried putting them in a 40g fully cycled aquarium that was divided and planted on 1 half. That worked well. But now that tank is housing an Acrochordus javanicus--so its not an option anymore. I already have 7 tanks set up and really don't want to setup another large aquarium just to handle the intial influx of fish.
I really cannot plant the holding tank, because trying to get the feeder fish back out--would simply be an exercise in futility!
So, basically what I am looking for is to find out if I can simply add something to the system--like ammonia--to help maintain the Beneficial Bacteria Colony, as the actual Fish population declines.
I've considered freezing some minnows and tossing one in every couple of days to let it decay and release ammonia to feed the bacteria. I've considered a lot of different things.
Liquid ammonia that I could add by drops would be great, but I don't know how this would affect the fish currently in the system.
Any thoughts or answers, besides another large system w/ or w/o a sump/plant filter?
I've had this problem for over 1 yr now and I've been searching for an answer the whole time---So, I'm really looking for a solution.....
Many Thanx!
Here is a pic of the A. javanicus for anyone interested. The smear of duckweed is from drip-acclimating a new load of fish. Most of the duckweed is gone now--At least the Comets are Good for Something!