Recent content by Tosakin

Final update: after reading around I've decided to cycle the tank with Tetra SafeStart. It definitely isn't what I had planned originally and I was initially very sceptical but after reading several positive reviews and cycling diaries using the product (as long as it is used as directed), and...

Small update: the bleach I bought unfortunately has surfactants in, I have no salt without anticaking agents, no potassium permanganate and no white vinegar. I'm therefore wondering whether simply rinsing everything really well in tap water would suffice? I've rinsed the tank itself with the...

Thanks again for your informative and quick reply. It's all really good to know, especially about pH - I had heard it's often better to just leave alone if it's stable rather than keep trying to raise/lower it unless it's in a dangerous range.    I've decided I'm going to tear the tank down and...

Thanks for the helpful replies, I really appreciate it .   Regarding pH I should have said it started at 6.5 and has since been stable around neutral but the information is great to know! And with raising pH via baking soda, how permanent is this? as I'm just a bit wary of whether it would fall...

I'm currently fishless cycling a 5 gallon/20 litre Arcadia Arc II tank with the following equipment: - Classica Powerbio 200 Filter (200 litres/hour) - Arcadia Ellipse 11 watt light - Visi-Therm 25 watt heater   The tank has several live plants and a sand substrate. The tank, equipment and sand...