[Zbrafish] Re: multi-tank system - problems with fish survival

[Thomas Bartman]

If the issue is with getting the system cycled (ammonia-nitrite-nitrate), I 
can recommend Fritz-Zyme #7, which is a stable mix of the bacteria needed 
in the biofilter.  You can order it on-line from www.everythingfishy.com, 
(from their home page go to Bacteria/Enzymes) and they will relay the order 
to the manufacturer who will ship it directly to you.

I recently started an AHAB system with about 2500 liters running (between 
tanks and sumps), and it was slow going.  With some fish on the system, the 
ammonia came up to a nice level, but I wasn't getting any nitrite or 
nitrate after a few weeks, indicating that the cycling hadn't 
started.  This was slowing down my ability to bring new fish on the 
system.  I got some Fritz-Zyme, dumped it in the system one day, and within 
a few days my ammonia was 0, nitrite had spiked and then come down to 0, 
and the nitrate was running steady at 5 ppm (with water changes going).  It 
has stayed stable ever since (a few months now), and the system is heavily 
stocked.

Tom



Thomas Bartman, M.D., Ph.D.
Divisions of Neonatology, Pulmonary Biology, and Developmental Biology
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
3333 Burnet Ave, MLC 7009
Cincinnati, OH  45229-3039

Office: 513-636-9902