Can I Have Some Reassurance On My Fishless Cycle Please

[sneezy]

Ok things have turned weird. My Ph has shot back up to 8.4

Any ideas please?

 

[rabbut]

Inacurate kit? methodical error on the test? Varying CO2 levels in the water may also be the issue... Do you have airation in the tank? if so, is it ran constantly, or only at certain times?

I'd try testing the same sample of water three times. You should get the same result. If you do, you can rule out the first two issues

All the best
Rabbut

 

[sneezy]

Thanks Rabbut.

I did the same test 3 times because I was so confused and they were all the same. However have just tested again and my ph is now sitting at 7.4???

It seems I have a bouncing ph. lol

Anyway I am away from tomorrow and am getting a friend to come in and add ammonia. Do you think it is worth doing a water change before I go or shall i see how things stand on Monday.

Many thanks, yet again.


FYI My ammonia is still processing in 12 hrs and my Nirtrites are still 5+

 

[sneezy]

My ph at 6pm was 7.8 so it has dropped again

Also my nitrates are still sitting at 40ppm, so don't seem to be increasing. Does this matter?

 

[rabbut]

Are those levels of nitrate in the tap water, or were your NOB's working to make it? If the pH is bouncing, I'd surgest increasing airation, and ensuring it is on all the time, as varying levels of CO2 in the water are likely to be the issues here

All the best
Rabbut

 

[sneezy]

Hello Again.

I have just come back from a weekend break and a friend has been adding ammonia to my tank for me.

Have just tested and ammonia is 0ppm, Nitrite 1ppm, Ph 8.0 but my Nitrate has dropped to 10ppm. Surely they should be rising rather than dropping? They were 40ppm before I went away.

Many Thanks

 

[Miss Wiggle]

have you got plants in the tank?

nitrate test kits are notoriously dodgy, don't be too concerned if the nitrate reading is off. as long as you know that the ammonia and nitrite are being processed that's the main thing.

 

[sneezy]

have you got plants in the tank?

nitrate test kits are notoriously dodgy, don't be too concerned if the nitrate reading is off. as long as you know that the ammonia and nitrite are being processed that's the main thing.

have got loads of aeration in there now and still having ph issues (in other post)

My nitrites still haven't dropped and my nitrares still haven't really increased although the tank is processing ammonia very quickly. Should I just carry on waiting or might my cycle have stalled a little

Many Thanks

 

[sneezy]

Ok am on day 30

Have just done a 50% waterchange

Readings are

Ammonia 0.5 (only added 3.30pm)
Nitrite 1ppm
Nitrate 40ppm
PH 7.4

Am getting slightly impatient now

 

[sneezy]

Day 36

I AM CYCLED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ammonia and Nitrites dropping to zero in less than 12 hrs.

Not adding any fish till the end of june so will use the time to try and sort my ph and make sure it stays stable.

I didn't think the end of a cycle could make me so happy. i nearly cried when my nitrite dropped yesterday

 

[sneezy]

Oh and I've redone my tank

I think its a great improvement. I hope you agree.

 

[Miss Wiggle]

Brilliant sneezy, glad it's all done

 

[waterdrop]

Wow, you changed your gravel and everything! What an improvement!

Looks great.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[rabbut]

Looking good

Fish at the weekend bet you can't wait

All the best
Rabbut