Fishless Cycle - Help Required

[efina]

Hi,

I have been doing the fishless cycle as posted on the forum for the last month and I have successfully got the Nitrite level down to 0.00ppm with an Ammonia level of around 0.25pm (within a 12 hr period)

Yesterday evening I did a 75% water change and this morning I tested the water and the Nitrite level and Ammonia levels both read 0.00ppm, but the Nitrate level was deep red, looking at the chart this is around 80ppm which I know is way too high for introducing fish to the tank. The PH level of the tank is currently 6.4, which I feel is a little low for most fish ??

This afternoon I have done a 90% water change and I will be doing my normal testing in about hour.

From other posts I have read on this forum I need to keep doing water changes until the Nitrate levels drop to an acceptable level of below 40ppm.

The questions I have are as follows:

- How often over a 24hr period should I do be doing water changes and should they be 90% everytime ??
- Should I keep adding my normal Ammonia quantities every 12hrs ??
- What PH level should I be aiming for and how can I achieve this ??

Plus any other information would be gratefully received.

Many thanks in advance.

My standard tap water has a PH reading of 7.4, with 0.00ppm levels of Ammonia, Nitrites & Nitrates

 

[slimeneo]

1. it depends on what your stats are. Since you noted that your pH is low, I'd do water changes to bring it back up. it will stall your cycle if it keeps falling. But if you still have ammonia or nitrite present, don't do a water change.
2. if ammonia is 0, add ammonia. If not, just wait until it drops to 0.
3. I don't think your pH should vary too much with your tap water pH. My tap is 8.2. Just do water changes to get it back on track.

 

[efina]

Thanks for the useful info, very much appreciated.