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Hopefully that will help but it's hard to tell. I would suggest getting some ammonia as opposed to more prawns. It's got to be cheaper and a lot less messy looking.
 
Still no nitrite showing up, but then might take a while to show some effects (if anything)

Could I have calculated the dosage of the de-cholorinator that might have killed off the bacteria?
 
Hi,

When i was cycling my tank it took over 2 weeks for nitrites.

Be paitent and keep testing the water daily. If you're going to be away from home over night don't be tempted to add extra ammonia as it will create problems.

it is worth the wait - i had no fatalities.

I cant wait to see a pic of your tank once its all done and you've got fishes in there.

Lee
 
Arranged to get a mature filter sponge from a forum member (thanks fella!)

So should I do a large water change tonight? Just don't want the bacteria to die straight away when its put in my filter.
 
Hi Clark, it sounds to me as the tank is taking a while to cycle because it hasn`t been "seeded" by means of squeezings or mature filter media, in other words it`s leaving it to chance for the required bacteria to colonize your filter.
With the filter being seeded it can around 6 weeks or less if your lucky.

The benficial bacteria need oxygen to survive , they get this by oxygenated water flowing through the tank/filter, also food in the form of Ammonia which comes from fish waste, rotting matter and is also expelled through the gills of fish.

So as long as some Ammonia is present the mature sponge will be ok just popped in your tank filter, transport in a jug of tank water. I would position it in between two of the big sponges in the Juwel filter but not critical.

Don`t forget to lower the temp before you add fish, there is less oxygen in the water at higher temperatures.(where it is now)
 
Thanks for your help nick.

Guess what?! I woke up this morning and found a reading of...

NITRITE!!!

oh yes, we're cooking on gas. 8)

What a fab week for me.

Didn't have chance to test for anything other than Nitrite and will do a full water test this evening.
 
Oh yes, couldn't wait to get home to do a full water test.

21/09/2007
pH 7.0
Ammonia 4.0
Nitrite 0.5
Nitrate 10

Amazed to see Nitrate already!!! Bit concerned that the Ammonia hasn't gone down but then i think it was off the scale before and now looks properly like the colour for 4!

Not added any ammonia for days, last lot of prawns went in on 07/09/2007!!!
But will be using household ammonia from now on.

8)
 
I would leave the water changes until it`s cycled. Then do one depending on the readings before you add fish.(hopefully soon)
 
This afternoon's readings - due to one reason or another :wink:

23/09/2007
pH 7.0
Ammonia 2.0
Nitrite 2.0
Nitrate 40

So brought the Ammonia level up to 4.0 again. 8)
 
Good to see things are finaly moving for you!!! Good luck, with both ammonia and nitrite beeing processed, you aren't far off completion! :hyper: happy cycling
Rabbut
 
25/09/2007 (PM)

pH 6.4
Ammonia 1.0 - now back upto 4ppm
Nitrite 2.0
Nitrate - think it's gone off the scale as doesn't match any of the colours!!
 
26/09/2007 (AM)
Ammonia 1 +3ppm
Nitrite 2

26/09/2007 (PM)
pH 6.0 :blink:
Ammonia 2 or 4 couldn't tell the difference lol - so not added any more
Nitrite 2

Given up testing on Nitrate.
 
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