TLS_70
New Member
I've been cycling a new 100g and thought I was there. After 3.5 weeks, my numbers were coming back perfect 7.6 Ph, 0-Ammonia, 0-Nitrites, 80-Nitrates. I was following the same protocol I used to cycle my 55 - fishless cycle, using FluVal Bacteria Booster and Fritz Ammonia and the timeframe was about the same. My 55g has been rock solid since (~6 months). However, about 3 days after I thought my 100g was cycled (keep feeding it ammonia and testing to make sure everything stayed at 0), Ammonia spiked. The day before we had a power outage for ~15 hrs and the filter was not running, so I assumed I lost the cycle and needed to start over. Since my Nitrates were so high, I did a 50% water change and started over. This time around, I did not use bacteria booster, but instead pulled some rocks from my 55g to help jump start it. I'm about 2 weeks in and I'm noticing my Ph is bouncing (7.8 one day, down to 6.8). I added Seachem Alkaline buffer (4 teaspoons) and it went back up to 7.8, but the next day dropped back to 6.8. I just added more Alkaline buffer and will check again tomorrow. My KH is ~155ppm and my GH is ~100ppm. My tap water is normally around 7.6, so not sure what is going on. I'm keeping Mbunas in my 55g and will be moving them into the 100g. The only difference in the two is that 55g has Texas holy rock and the 100g has slate. Not sure what to do to stabilize the PH. Any advise here?