Fishless Cycling - Help

[sws]

Hello. I'd be very grateful for anyones help. Ive been fishless cycling for 3 weeks. Ammonia is going quickly (0) and nitrAtes are high - 110ppm. However, the nitrItes are slow to fall to zero (1.6ppm). Also my water has become quite acidic (5.5). I did a 40% water change earlier today as I was concerned the high nitrates would inhibit the nitrifying bacteria (nitrite to nitrate) - before I took the above readings. I am continuing to add small amounts of ammonia to feed the bacteria.
My tapwater pH is 6.5-7 but I have a low KH (30ppm) and GH(60ppm). I am worried the cycle will never finish as the acidic water will inhibit the bacterial growth I need.
Should I be worried? Should I add bicarb? Should I add plants? Or should I do nothing?

Thanks
Shaun

 

[thegnu]

hi,
yes i would be starting to worry. some of it may depend on what fish you want to keep but you cant let your pH drop any more or the bacteria will stop growing and die. i would add perhaps a little soda but your KH isn't that low. have you any idea why your pH has dropped so low?

 

[Majjie]

Mmm pH 5.5 is a bit low - like thegnu says. I think you've done the right thing with the water change - and if you can keep the pH above 6 then you should be ok.

Adding plants would be good - if you're going to have some in the tank anyway.

If the pH keeps dropping below 6 then add some bicarbonate - but you don't really want to be doing that on a regular basis.

 

[sws]

Thanks guys. Can't think why the pH has dropped - assumed it may be part of the cycling process. Assuming I can get the pH up, do the other parameters look ok - nitite/nitrate? Is nitrate acidic - or nitrite for that mater?
Just thought - added some water from my hot water tap - haven't tested pH on that (I doubt it's that acidic though)
Shaun

 

[juhill]

Hi

When I did my fishless cycle, it stalled because my ph was so low and someone on here recommended I add bicarb. I only had to do it once and the tank finished cycling and I got fish about a week later. I haven't had to add any more since. Worked a treat for me.

Julie