First Tank

[Comacchio]

Sorry for the double post.. But I've been creative! Cost: £1, 30 mins work.

 

[Miles_hot]

Coo, early norman arch for fish - hope they like it and don't request a gothic arch

 

[Comacchio]

I'm sure they'll be right at home once the bacteria do their thing!

Does anybody see any potential issues with my planned stocking?

10 x Cardinal Tetra (Paracheirodon acelrodi)
10 x Cherry Shrimp (Neocardina heteropoda)
10 x Harlequin Rasbora (Trigonostigma heteromorpha)
10 x Panda Cory (Corydoras panda)
4 x Guppy (Poecilia reticulata)
2 x Keyhole Cichlid (Cleithracara maronii)
2 x Dwarf Gourami (Colisa lalia)
2 x Apple Snail (Pomacea bridgesii)
1 x Albino Bristlenose Pleco (Ancistrus cf. cirrhosus)
1 x Siamese Algae Eater

 

[Comacchio]

Anyone?

 

[Tizer]

Sae like to be in groups

 

[Comacchio]

Update:

Woohooo! Nitrites are beginning to show! Tested sample had a slight purple tint to it (Nutrafin test kit), ammonia didnt have a clear reading for but definately more than 2.5ppm and around or less than 5ppm.

So day 13.5: Ammonia 4-5ppm, Nitrite 0.1ppm, Nitrate untested, pH 7-7.5.

Progress!

 

[Comacchio]

Another day another decrease. Ammonia is sitting around 2-3ppm, Nitrite still around 0.1ppm, Nitrate registering but not much.

Think I might buy an API test kit as it seems more accurate than the nutrafin, thoughts?

 

[Overload]

Another day another decrease. Ammonia is sitting around 2-3ppm, Nitrite still around 0.1ppm, Nitrate registering but not much.

Think I might buy an API test kit as it seems more accurate than the nutrafin, thoughts?

I use the API kit, not had any problems with it. I would recomend shaking the bottles a lot before use though

 

[Comacchio]

No real change on ammonia, nitrite slightly more purple. Nitrate wasnt tested. So it's going reeeeeeally slowly. Day 16 I think now.

With regards to affecting the cycle - is it ok to stick your arm in the tank to rearrange substrate? Don't want to stall the cycle if possible, but my flow is too hard and digging big holes in my sand!

 

[Tizer]

Of course it is! Have fun!

 

[Comacchio]

No visible change in ammonia so hard to tell the level. Still between 3 and 4 ppm. Nitrite has risen to around 0.3ppm.

I had a look in the cupboard downstairs and spotted some baking powder - Is it ok to use this to raise the pH into the alkaline territory to aid the bacterial growth?

 

[LilyRose Tank]

as far as I am aware, airation is good, because it encourages the autotroph bacteria to fill your filter. if you have no aeration you risk breeding heterotrophic bacteria...I have found that the tank cycles quicker with aeration. also put the heater at 29, as a higher temp also encourages them to breed quicker....26 will slow it down. make sure you use bicarb as a pH of 6 will make any bacteria go into a stasis, where their multiplication rates slows to almost nothing, keep the pH as close to 8 as possible. I think a teaspoon of bicarb, then let it circulate, then test pH again an hour later....as you have a larger tank, 2 spoons a time may be quicker for you, as I only had a 64L cycling, and 1 teaspoon raised it enough. so to recap
heater 29
bicarb to keep pH around 8 ( dont stress if it gets to 7.8/9 ish...that'll do...
and airstone too

and generally, save your testings...if ammonia hasnt started to drop yet, dont test for nitrites and
nitrates. ammonia will begin to drop before a rise in nitrites...likewise for nitrates

 

[Comacchio]

Thanks for the reply.

The temperature in the tank is at a constat 30 degrees (there's a thermometer at either side of the tank (inside, glass thermom.) to be sure).
Theres plenty of surface agitation from the U4 - the top outlet skooshes bubbles out which moves the surface around, then for added benefit I have the output of the 205 for more agitation.

I wasn't sure if baking powder was ok to use, as opposed to baking soda (bicarb) as there's no soda in the cupboard.

 

[LilyRose Tank]

I am not sure if baking powder is ok....maybe a trip to convenience store? bicarb isnt expensive

 

[Comacchio]

The pH is around 7.5-8 just now anyways. It can wait until I go shopping since Scotland is currently getting battered by the remnants of hurricane Katia and I can't be bothered going out in it!