Just Picked Up A 40Ltr Tank

[greenmumma141]

Ph can be so frustrating and confusing. I know driftwood will help to lower the ph, but that seems like a lot from just a piece of wood. idk though...
 
good progress with the ammonia

 

[Welshweeks]

Just an update. Currently on Day 17 of fishless cycle and still having a bit of a battle with PH so I added some bicarb soda this morning that's raised it back to 7.6ppm so will see how that goes. Dosing ammonia to approx 2.0ppm which is dropping in around 24hrs. Nitrites currently 5.0ppm (prob off the scale) but the strange thing (I think) is that the nitrAtes are 80-160ppm so I would have thought that the nitrites would be dropping? I was thinking of doing a water change but did an 80% one on day 13. I would have also thought it would have been cycled by now as I've added a fair bit of mature media from my main tank on day 3.
 
Not really in a rush but hope it's going to plan!

 

[Welshweeks]

Here's an updated pic (front could do with a clean!). Would like some carpeting plant for the front left area but unsure if any will grow without C02? Will be using liquid fertz.
 

 

[Welshweeks]

Different angle!
 

 

[The Taffy Apple]

I think it's looking great, W.W. Have you thought about a backround? Granted, it looks desireable as it is, but why not try a black one? Is that what is on your big tank?
 
Terry.

 

[Welshweeks]

Hi TA, there is a black background fitted.

 

[The Taffy Apple]

Hi TA, there is a black background fitted.

 
That will teach me for only looking at one photo! The last one seems to have a clear backround. Anyway...looking really good mate.
Thought anymore about which shrimp you're going to get?
 
Terry.

 

[greenmumma141]

I agree, I think it looks great.  Hopefully the nitrites start dropping soon, which they should. Great job so far!

 

[Welshweeks]

I agree, I think it looks great.  Hopefully the nitrites start dropping soon, which they should. Great job so far!

 
 
Thanks!

 

[Welshweeks]

Just a quick update, nothing much changed at the moment. Nitrites currently taking FOREVER to reduce (I know they take a twice as long) . Ammonia still dropping from 2.0ppm to 0ppm in 12 hours, so adding ammonia once every 24 hours. I added some more mature filter sponge on Saturday but for some reason it hasn't help the nitrite bacs to date.

 

[Welshweeks]

Hi All a bit of movement on nitrItes at last!
 
Was on Day 25 yesterday and decided to do a 90% water change yesterday evening as the nitrites were off the scale. I dosed ammonia back up.
 
Day 26
 
8.00am
 
Ammonia 0.25ppm (barley)
Nitrite - 5.0ppm
PH - 7.6ppm
 
8.10pm
 
Ammonia - 0ppm
Nitrites - 0.25ppm YAY 

 
PH - 7.6ppm
 
Dosed 1.5ml ammonia to bring back up to 2.0ppm
 
So looking good, hopefully this pattern will continue/improve over the coming week (fingers crossed)!

 

[greenmumma141]

Awesome  
 
I would think that things should start moving along more quickly for you now,  

 

[Welshweeks]

Had to take the vallis out today as they weren't looking too good. I think the temperature is too high for them so I've dropped the remaining ones into my main tank to see how it goes. The java fern/moss seems ok, they're pretty hardy from what I've read.

 

[Ruskull]

Vallis just doesn't do well in any of my tanks.  That includes low, medium to high lighting, with & without liquid ferts & liquid Co2.  Must be something else in my water, although I'd like to try some of the corkscrew type in my 36 gallon.

 

[The Taffy Apple]

Nice to see your NitrItes finally shifting mate, that's the hard work complete

Stocking time is near.
 
Terry.