First Tank

[Comacchio]

Well I changed the majority of the water over, poured 1.5 times the required dechlorinator into the existing water and ran a hose in and I've let it fill up. Performed a re-scape also.

So now just waiting on the tank filling back up, put the U4 media into the slot from the bucket of water, turn the 205 and heater on. Then I'll do my water tests, add any required bicarb (Although I would like to not do this and let the bacteria get used to the pH I'll be having with fish (thoughts?), then redose for ammonia and hope that my stall hasn't harmed it too much!

Fingers crossed.

 

[Comacchio]

Tank filled and readings taken. Unfortunately the temperature is 10 degrees But I've put my spare heater in there to hopefully raise it up quick!

pH: 6.5-7
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 0-5

Going to dose up to 5ppm and hope for the best. I expect (knowing my luck) to be back to square one!

Should I raise the pH, since this is the intended pH for when I'm stocked with fish? I don't want to have to do another drastic change of water before fish, so might just deal with the slower bacterial growth at this pH. I need an expert opinion please!

 

[CezzaXV]

You'll almost definitely need to do a massive water change before you get fish anyway, as by the time you've finished cycling your nitrate will be through the roof.

 

[Comacchio]

Rescape and night shot:


TankNew by Allan.Jones, on Flickr



TankNight by Allan.Jones, on Flickr

 

[Squigs]

Nice!!

 

[Xraymark]

Nice looking tank.
Are you going to add plants?

 

[Comacchio]

Yep I plan to have a few plants, java moss covering coconuts, some moss balls Give the fishies something to chew on.

 

[Comacchio]

Good news. After 6 hours of adding ammonia there is around 1-2 ppm of nitrite in the tank. Phew, didn't kill all the bacteria!

 

[Comacchio]

Another pH crash (Not as drastic, and could be down to the bogwood going in (which has now turned my water yellow )). Wonder whats causing these!

pH: 6.4
Amm: 0-0.25 ppm
Nit: 0 ppm
NitrAte: 40ppm

Hoping to start seeing less pH drops and more ammonia and nitrite disappearing faster.

 

[xingumike]

well well, the names you recognise from other fora! (PH)

 

[Comacchio]

Haha nice to see a fellow PHer in the wild!

 

[xingumike]

Haha nice to see a fellow PHer in the wild!

I don't even know why I ventured in here tbh, I restrict myself to the Lori section

It's dxbtiger btw (or thisisrobbo on Flickr)

How long has this puppy been cycling for now?

Hat's off for having the patience to fishless cycle, I have never managed it but have had seeded media.

 

[Comacchio]

I don't even want to know how long its being going..Think its 6 weeks on friday and still no double zeros at 12 hours! Had been getting double zeros at 24 until the pH crashed and ruined that for me.

 

[xingumike]

I don't even want to know how long its being going..Think its 6 weeks on friday and still no double zeros at 12 hours! Had been getting double zeros at 24 until the pH crashed and ruined that for me.

Bogwood (or at least the tannins it releases) will lower the pH iirc, I run Purigen on both my externals as the missus doesn't like overly stained water even thought the fish probably prefer it.

 

[Comacchio]

Yeah but I only added the wood last night, I had 2 major pH crashes before then. The first was due to 160ppm of Nitrates (wont let it get that high again!), the 2nd unattributed yet and the 3rd is a mild one due to the tannins. I'll look into something to try and remove them. Its not too bad just yet, but I much prefered the clear water I'll admit!