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Thank you for your help. Will add the Dr Tim’s and ammonia now. I was curious about my tap nitrate so had already tested it a couple of days ago. It actually reads 0! So will need to be a massive water change but will do your trick of mixing tap and tank water to see ;)

Will need to double check the names of the plants in the morning. I’ve got the name tag in the garage still! First time using live plants.

Thought would post a photo of the tank ;) So current readings after a bit of experimenting with the tank and tap water Ammonia 0 Nitrite between 2 and 4 Nitrate still high at 80 which explains my brown plants Now I absolutely do not want to mess this up again!!! As Ammonia is reading 0 am I...

That's a great idea!! Thank you :)

Another day and not good news :( changed about 70% of the water and done a retest. ammonia is now reading 0 but nitrite is still at 8 and nitrate is at 80 ph is reading 7. Can’t believe this has gone so wrong. :(

Just tested again and ammonia has dropped to 1.5 but nitrite is still poxy high. Hard to tell in my kitchen lights but still looks at 8. Will check again in the daylight tomorrow and will do another water change :(

Thanks guys! Taken out and replaced about 25% Will have another test before I go to bed and when I get up tomorrow morning. Absolutely gutted as thought I was doing the right thing :( really hoping not stalled the cycle. Will add the Dr Tim’s tomorrow Keep fingers crossed for me please

Home and re-tested ammonia reading 3 and nitrite has gone up to 8. My delivery of Dr Tim’s once and only has arrived today which says it reduces ammonia and nitrite naturally and builds the beneficial bacteria. Is it worth adding this to the tank or best do the water change then add it? Now...

Thanks. It was reading that article that prompted my post! The Nitrite chart goes up to 8 so will see tonight if it has risen from 4 (the post above was meaning this is my highest reading of nitrite so far). If has risen more will then do the water change. Will now leave the ammonia alone and...

Currently in the process of cycling my new tank. Got ammonia readings of around 3/4ppm and last night took a reading of nitrite which is at it's current highest reading of 4. Every time the ammonia drops below 3ppm I have been topping up the ammonia to feed the bacteria. I'm now wondering if...

is it ok to use pebbles and stones from the beach in your tank??

Just read this on a website from an article in the plant forum... “If possible, give preference to two smaller, independent filters than a single larger one. It makes things easier for you and more secure for your tank - if one of the filters clogs or stops working you don't lose all of your...

Been round a few LFS over the weekend. Seen another tank that looks right for me. It’s the Eheim vivaline 150. https://www.eheim.com/en_GB/products/aquariums/fresh-water-aquariums/vivalineled-150-white The Lido 200 is going to be too big where I need it to go and this is slightly bigger than...

Thanks, again that’s helpful. Tank I’m looking at would probably be ok getting the 20kg bag. I’m gonna go into my lfs on Saturday with a water sample so they can test it for me. Least I’ll know definitely what I’m up against and that may influence my decision. So desperately wanted a...

Thank you that’s really helpful! Definitely definitely want black sand so will look into the limpopo sand. Am now slightly put off again however at my lack of fish options due to my poxy hard water

Ok thanks for that. What others would you recommend instead please??

Also will definitely not be getting fish or advice at P@H !! Got another LFS that I can go to. Might go have a chat with them as to what their water is in their tanks

Water here is very hard 370 mg/l Know the livebearers will be ok. Have a friend who is successfully keeping Cory's with basically the same water hence why they made my list. After reading up on here I am now wary of the dwarf gouramis but will keep an eye out for problems

Oh yes will def only be doing a fishless cycle. Already have pure ammonia in the garage that I can use to kick start things. Currently looking at these on the basis that I am going to go for the larger Lido 200: 1 Dwarf male Gourami Platys or Mollies - help on how many would be appreciated...

Will be keeping an eye out for any Black Friday deals! Also January ones Think I am convinced guys ;) Got a list of fish that I would like but may need some help on the numbers of each that I can have

Thanks everyone! Will check out gumtree and the like and also will keep an eye out for the black Friday sale! Got an idea of the fish I would like so no doubt will be back posting for an idea of number. Think have a sensible list ;)

Hi everyone, Been lurking in the background for a little while so thought would take the plunge (haha!) and sign up. Bit of background, I had a few tanks around over 10 years ago including a lovely 6ft coldwater tank with fancy goldfish but got far too attached and upset when I lost them after...