r/Aquariums 9h ago

Bacteria keeps dying. Help/Advice

Background info I cycled the empty 23 gallon tank for a month before seeing Nitrates and added fish gradually. 10 Cherry shrimp, 13 neone tetras, one Beta and two Sword tails. I feed the fish twice a day. AMOSIJOY 172GPH Canister Filter, with a floss pad, carbon sponge, ceramic filter rings, and Bio balls.

My problem is that my bacteria seems to die every 2 weeks or so. I see my Nitrates fall to zero, then the ammonia starts to go up slowly. I was told that maybe my filter is doing too good of a job and starving the bacteria. Is that possible? I keep having to add bacteria to the tank and I am wondering if I should just add more fish to creat more waist. I think the ammonia spike caused the beta to get a touch of fin rot, I am currently treating him for it and he is doing well. Adding the Nitrate/Nitrite readings for this tank (left) and a shrimp tank (right)

TLDR: Bacteria dies off (I think it's being starved), should I add more bio load or change the filter to something else. Also, is there something that may be killing the bacteria?

100 Upvotes

View all comments

1

u/Substantial-Sea-3672 6h ago

What bacteria are you adding? There are nitrifying bacteria that aren’t the same type that can establish in a tank effectively.

It sounds like you’re putting in bacteria that eliminates ammonia and nitrites, preventing classic aquarium nitrifying bacteria from establishing. Then when the store bought bacteria dies you’re back to square one.

1

u/Arcangel100 6h ago

I bought a used sponge filter from a local pet store to cycle the tank. For now, I have been taking one of the sponge filters from the shrimp tank to help circle the large tank when the ammonia starts to rise.