7/24/12 Test Reading... Cycling Day 3; Help!

[EllenMarie]

It is Cycling Day 3 of my 10 Gallon Tank (Fishless cycle). My API Freshwater master test kit arrived today, so I decided to test what as necessary. The pH is on the high range, at 8.2; Where as ammonia still reads 0. I am currently cycling with fish flakes, although I am picking up some ammonia today and switching to that method. Is the high pH alright? Will it affect how slow my tank cycles?

Thanks!
Ellen

 

[jb1997mcd]

The ph at 8 - 8.2 will not effect your cycle. You should have a much easier time once you start using the ammonia.

 

[4seasons]

PH of 8.2 is perfect for speeding a cycle along. Also if your PH is naturally that high chances are you have hard water which should help you avoid the PH crash that stalls many cycles when the nitrates start rising. Fish flakes take a few days to break down into ammonia so a 0 reading at day 3 isn't really surprising. When you pick up some bottled ammonia make sure there are no surfactants in it. That is the biggest challenge with using bottled ammonia is finding one that the only ingredients are water and ammonia.