Recent content by alanbur

Well, I'm now 20 days in, Ammonia & Nitrite both at zero and all the fish seem to be happy and healthy - fingers crossed!

Latest sets of readings: pH = 6.5 NH3 = 0.0 NO2- = 0.0 NO3- = 2.5 I've tested it three times because I didn't believe the readings - can my tank *really* have cycled in less than a week? I added another dose of Tetra SafeStart last night, in proportion to the water changes I've done over...

That makes sense, although I suppose for fish that don't feed on it the only possible link is the effect of the microfauna on the water quality. I think there's an interesting research project in there for some PhD student to track the changes over the first 6 months and find out what is really...

Hmp, sounds like cargo cult science to me...

Ah, that explains it, thanks - most of the info I've read relates to fishless cycling. And good to know that you can get replacements for the kits - having used one I feel much more confident that I can 'manage' the tank and I'll be using it regularly. :fish: :thanks:

Thanks! I'm surprised the Nitrite has stayed down, I'm wondering if the Tetra SafeStart is helping any - I've read mixed reports on its effectiveness. I figured it couldn't hurt, and as I was stuck with doing a cycle with fish it was probably worth a try - with such a small tank I only needed...

Ammonia still 0, Nitrite down to about 0.125 (1/2 way between colours), nitrate around 2-3. Done another 25% water change, but it's looking hopeful so far.

fatheadminnow: The test kit is a API Freshwater Master Test Kit. Thanks for the tip about the plants, I knew they could use the Nitrate, but I didn't know they could use the Ammonia. I assume they can't utilise the Nitrite until it has been converted to Nitrate? I did notice that the old...

One more 25% water change and now the NO2- is down to 0.25ppm, which I figure is bearable. pH & NH3 are unchanged - I'll retest tomorrow morning. The Neon Tetras are *so* much nicer than the goldfish that were in the tank before, I'd hate to lose any. The filter is an in-tank one and it is...

Surfactant == detergent - good for soap bubbles and not much else ;-)

I have a small tank - about 15L - yes, I know that's tiny but that's all I have space for. The tank previously had goldfish in it, but after they died (eek!) the tank was left fallow with the pump turned off for about 6 months and was a green soup of algae. I rescued the plants and filter...