Beginners Questions....

[sparklefuzz]

Hi sparklefuzz - I put fish in on friday... less than week, .. so doubt tank is cycled, my PH reading is still about 8.0 I checked tap water , and it's defo lower, about 7.4 - ?? I have only gravel , plastic plants and Ornaments from fish shop in there, the only thing I can think it could be is I bought some white pebbles from Wilkinsons (look good)) Maybe its these? Anyway, I not sure if it matters? but I might take out pebbles just in case,, I read somewhere if you put vinegar on them they can tell you if they are leaching anything,, mm tommorow job))

I have readings: Ammonia 0 Nitrite 0 Nitrate 0??? PH 8.0

I don't understand why Nitrate level has dropped... any ideas anyone?

Fish are fine and dandy, perky, eating well, I managed to catch 4 fry and put in breeder trap,, there is some still in main tank...

Possibly water change tommorow..

Oh, has anyone got one of thoses plastic sython gravel cleaner things? Any good? (Don't want waste money))))

Thanks all

Those gravel cleaners are brill and definitely a must. The PH might be from the white pebbles, it only really matters (I think) if your PH changes in a short space of time, the fish don't like it. I don't know about the vinegar thing, not heard of that one! The nitrates in your tap water may vary day to day, it might be that you've done a water change with 0 nitrate water since your last test? or maybe your last test wasn't accurate... *shrugs* not too sure.

Good luck with your fry, never had livebearers myself

 

[Loobie]

Hi

Just thought I'd add my 5 penneth.

I needed a gravel vac but it was the weekend and was unable to get to the shops (no car) so did my blue peter bit. Plastic pipe/hose and cut the top off a......y'know the fanta bottles the small ones that have that weird shape to it, cut the top off that taped it to my pipe, and works fantastic.

Cheap as chips!!!!!

 

[Miss Wiggle]

any pipe/hose will work as a gravel vac, the width of the tube will determine it's sucking power and speed. slower/faster is better suited to different tanks and set up's so just play around with what feels right for you. but I've used hose pipe, air line tubing, all sorts before, any tube will create a siphon.

 

[wwpecker]

Just a little update
I bought a sython thingy - its really good Did not think of the bottle thingy - I did a 25% water change on saturday (not sure if this was right thing to do, but did it... all fish are still OK, I have been testing,, (and yes, I did test Nitrate wrong ) anyway tested tonight:

Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 10 - 20
PH 8

So, - I have had these results for past week, which tells me no cycling occuring yet?? I think

I will keep testing

 

[andyt_uk]

well i'll be reckless and say i think its cycled, fish for 1 week and no ammonia - must be cycled the nitrate comes from the breakdown of ammonia to nitrIte to nitrAte - if it is different to your tap water nitrAte levels and you havent seen ammonia or nitrIte then i think its done

 

[sparklefuzz]

Just a little update
I bought a sython thingy - its really good Did not think of the bottle thingy - I did a 25% water change on saturday (not sure if this was right thing to do, but did it... all fish are still OK, I have been testing,, (and yes, I did test Nitrate wrong ) anyway tested tonight:

Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 10 - 20
PH 8

So, - I have had these results for past week, which tells me no cycling occuring yet?? I think

I will keep testing

Your ammonia will go up then back down, followed by your nitrite doing the same, once the nitrite go back to 0 you're cycled. Good to hear the fish ae doing ok though

 

[wwpecker]

Hi all

Actually fish have been in nearly two weeks... water has been in since mmm 22nd October - I also have put some stuff in which supposed to cycle quicker, from LFS,, (I know, its prob rubbish,,) anyway, not had hint Ammonia, Fiona, and Nitrate same tap water,, I would guess its not cycled,,,, I gonna leave it another week or so, no point in rushing, - I been spending time looking at what else to put in - I really like Guppies, (maybe few them,, Clown plec,, maybe Neons,,,

I probs wont keep all Mollies,,, twos enough, and from what I have read they DO need salt.....



But, as they say, patients is a virtue.....

 

[fish_master]

Just use some clear hose for cleaning and siphoning your tank it works good the stuff is abit like the air tubing but bigger