Finally!

[Kaybear11]

After almost 2 months of fishless cycling, I have finally gotten my first double zero reading! I could cry lol. I was dosing at 2-3, now do I bump it up to 4 ppm? Wait for that to hit double zeros in 24 hours and then start testing every 12 hours? Once they both hit zero in 12 hours with a 4 ppm dosing, start my trial week? Also when I start my 12 hour testing do I still only dose with ammonia every 24 hours?

Sorry for all the questions, it's been so long since I have read about the last stage I just want to make sure I'm thinking correctly lol.

 

[KittyKat]

Depends on what you plan as your first stock, but normally, this is the point where people bump it up to 4 ppm, if they do.

Yes, test at 12 once you get 0 ppm at 24.

Yes, qualifying week starts when you get 0 ppm in 12 hours.

Yes, dose a maximum of once every 12 hours.

 

[Kaybear11]

Just checked my ph and it's gone down quite a bit due to the nitrates. It's at 7.6 on the regular ph test and about 7.4 on the high ph test. That's what it is coming out of my tap so if it gets too much lower than that should I do a WC to bring it back up?

I'm only putting a baby Oscar in my 75 and that's it. So still do the 4 ppm?

 

[KittyKat]

Yes, I find that it is much more important to have a consistent (not changing) pH, than to have a specific number.

 

[Kaybear11]

So yes on bumping it up to 4 ppm with only putting a baby Oscar in there or is 3 ppm good?

Thank you so much for your quick replies Kitty Kat

 

[Smells a bit fishy]

Well how long are you going to keep your baby oscar in there before you put more stock in there? You could leave it at 3ppm as even with a small Oscar the bacteria will die off. However if in a week or 2 you put more fish in then you should up it to 4ppm.

If you up it to 4ppm you could fully stock your tank straight away (a little lower for growing space).

So for 1 baby Oscar 3 ppm is fine if quite alot more then up it to 4ppm

 

[KittyKat]

Even 2 ppm should be fine for only a baby oscar. Above is right, if you plan to add more fish within a week or two, go for 4 ppm.

 

[Kaybear11]

Yea, he's going to have the whole tank to himself. If anything I was going to add a larger bottom feeder but probably not.

 

[Smells a bit fishy]

You could maybe get away with adding it now, but I wouldnt risk it.

So if your continuing your 3ppm dosing start your qualifying week now

 

[Kaybear11]

I'm definitely not risking it, I have waited this long, what's another week or two? I still need to buy food and a couple other things so this gives me time for "finishing touches"

Thanks again!