Cycling 3 Tanks For 6 Weeks, How Do These Numbers Look?

[LineDropper]

Hello all,

I've been cycling 3 tanks for almost 6 weeks now (10, 10, 30 gal). I didn't know about the fishless cycle until after I started (no thanks to the Top Fin starter intructions).

Each tank is doing about the same:

High Ph = 8.0
Ammonia = .25
Nitrite= .50
Nitrate = 5.0

I guess these numbers are ok - the only thing that worries me is the Ph. It comes out of my tap water at 7.6 and I do 20-25% water changes every day since I'm doing w/fish cycling (try to do 2 a day when I can). My local fish store told me my Ph could be going up because I have hanging filters (outside of the tank). Anyone heard of this before? My long-term plan was to put cichlids in the 30g --- I hope the high Ph isn't going to be a problem.

Any comments?

 

[Musho3210]

the ph is probably from outgassing of CO2, from your tap you have a high CO2 level which means lower ph, when the CO2 out gasses the pH then rises. It could also be from calcium carbonate things in your tank. What is the substrate and what decorations/rocks do you have?

 

[Chrispixx]

The only problem with the Ph right now is that there is ammonia in the tank, and because of that the high Ph makes the ammonia more toxic. Just keep up with the water changes to keep the ammonia down.

Dont try to adjust the Ph, it will be fine the fish can handle a stable Ph better than a swinging Ph. My tap Ph is 7.6 to 7.8 and all my tanks are at the Ph of the tap and they have been this way for years.

Keep testing your tank too, being that you have readings for nitrIte and nitrAte means the cycle is progressing well. Hopefully you will be fully cycled soon.

I have never heard anything about hang on fiters raising the PH.

I dont know about cichlids, i think they need a low Ph maybe you could post in the cichlid section or somone may even be able to help you here.

I do know that bogwood in the tank and peat moss in the filter will lower Ph, but obviously you would want the Ph of the tank water correct before adding the fish so that it closely matches their envirorment.

 

[LineDropper]

the ph is probably from outgassing of CO2, from your tap you have a high CO2 level which means lower ph, when the CO2 out gasses the pH then rises. It could also be from calcium carbonate things in your tank. What is the substrate and what decorations/rocks do you have?

All three tanks have about 1 1/2 to 2 inches of gravel I bought from Pet Smart. After that, each one is different. One 10g just has 4 plastic plants, the other 10g has 2 live plants, and the 30g has plastic plants, a ship with air stone, and 2 rocks (also bought from PetSmart). I tried to load the 30g with a lot of hiding places for the future cichlids...

The only problem with the Ph right now is that there is ammonia in the tank, and because of that the high Ph makes the ammonia more toxic. Just keep up with the water changes to keep the ammonia down. Dont try to adjust the Ph, it will be fine the fish can handle a stable Ph better than a swinging Ph. My tap Ph is 7.6 to 7.8 and all my tanks are at the Ph of the tap and they have been this way for years.Keep testing your tank too, being that you have readings for nitrIte and nitrAte means the cycle is progressing well. Hopefully you will be fully cycled soon.I have never heard anything about hang on fiters raising the PH.I dont know about cichlids, i think they need a low Ph maybe you could post in the cichlid section or somone may even be able to help you here.I do know that bogwood in the tank and peat moss in the filter will lower Ph, but obviously you would want the Ph of the tank water correct before adding the fish so that it closely matches their envirorment.

Thanks Chrispixx --> great info! I'm glad I found this forum... My LFS did recommend a PH reducer when I was starting, I only used it once and will never do it again. I'll see what they say in the cichlid forums. Appreciate your response.