Eek, Here Goes, First Malawi Set Up...

As far as your pH is concerned, I am using limestone rocks in my tank to help maintain pH. (I am also setting up a Malawi tank). Every recource I have found indicates this is a natural way to buffer and maintain a pH adequate for Malawis. :)
 
As far as your pH is concerned, I am using limestone rocks in my tank to help maintain pH. (I am also setting up a Malawi tank). Every recource I have found indicates this is a natural way to buffer and maintain a pH adequate for Malawis. :)


Thanks, yeah I have a piece of limestone in there, and also coral sand in the filter - It seems pretty stable at 7.9 but I'm gonna get some more limestone and add more coral sand to filter to hopefully raise above 8 in the long run :)
 
Last nights test showed that within 12 hours 3ppm ammonia down to 0 and nitrite down to 1ppm.

This morning nitrite at 0 and nitrate at 60.

Reposed with 4ppm ammonia.
 
Last night, 4ppm ammonia was down to 0 and nitrite was about 5ppm.

This morning (day 17) both at 0.

Am going to start full 12 hour testing so am changing to evening dosing. For this morning I have added 2ppm ammonia, this evening I will add the remaining 3ppm and then as of tomorrow evening will be dosing a full 5ppm.

First full 12 hour tests begin friday morning.
 
Last night I measured the GH with the proper API liquid test. Tank water measured 214.8 and water straight from the tap measured 250.6.

KH from tank measured 7. KH from tap measured 11.

PH is still 7.9, I will add some more coral sand to filter and also buy another piece of limestone.

Last night 2ppm ammonia had processed to double zeros within 12 hours.

This morning 3ppm ammonia had processed to 0 ammonia and 0.25 nitrite in 12 hours.

Am redosing 5ppm ammonia at 10pm tonight - So will update after 10am tomorrow.

Off to LFS to look at what fish they have in stock, hoping in two weeks I'll be fully cycled :)
 
lfs dont do it! lol
sure you could find a good local breeder near you!
 
No, I'll be ordering online - It's just nice to see the types swimming around in LFS to help me make up my mind.

I'll only be half stocking until I can afford another ex1200 or similar, so plan on getting 6 labs, 3-5 BN's and at present undecided on elongatus or saulosi. Also fancy the pale blue hara, which should be available soon, am actually pleased I've got a week or two to 100% make up my mind.

Having trouble searching for local breeder to Bournemouth so online it is.

Anyway, ammonia still looking good at 12 hours but Nitrite is taking about 20 hours...

Until I can afford another filter, should I look into getting a powerhead? What one?

Cheers
 
Spoke too soon, nitrite processing in about 20 hours, i'll keep waiting and update when I get exciting news :)
 
Having trouble uploading pics so here are some links:

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I know it may not look too natural but we like and and think the fish will enjoy and the caves and tunnelling.

Done a 80% W/C today.
 
Day 33 today and readings are:

NH3 = 0
NO2 = 0
NO3 = 140?
KH = 10
GH = 250.6
PH = 7.9

However, I've ran out of Boots ammonia, just been into Boots not realising they dont stock it (and out of stock online), in a rush bought the Robert Dyas stuff, got home and searched on here to see its not suitable. Off to return and go to Homebase in hope they stock some, I hate those Christmas crowds! It's far too early.

I'm now keeping fingers crossed we dont have a sudden drop in temp so my fish can be sent out next week :)
 
Well I've been adding about 5.5ppm to the tank for the last 5 days and it's processing in less than 12 hours.

I'm all done now :) Fish being delivered on Wednesday :)
 
going to be setting up something quite similar to this, so was an interesting read. and well done on being patient through the cycle! i'm going to be running a couple of EX1200's on mine - how much coral sand did you put in the filter in the end? and where have you ordered the fish from? am lucky that in london there are a lot of local hobbyist breeders, but quality of fish varies massively as a result.
 
I ordered from Northants Malawis as they came highly recommended - Will upload pics once they are in.

I put the coral sand into some tights, filled up two feet, but both bags probably weigh about 1kg as I ordered a 4kg bag and still have loads left. Together there are still gaps in the 1200 tray, so I may add another bag or just wait until I get my second 1200 and add two to that.

When the nitrite was taking longer than 12 hours to process, it was bringing the pH down to about 7.4/7.6 everyday so I was adding some bicarb just to bring it back up to 8ish.

Since the nitrite has been processing in less than 12 hours, pH is stable at 7.9 everyday. GH stays around 250 and today the KH dropped to 8 but I haven't done a water change in two weeks.
 
I havent read the whole thread (call me lazy!) but what fish have you ordered from Northants? I was looking into using them myself.
 

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