Fishless Cycle, Ph Dropping, Ok To Do A Water Change?

[SlyT]

Hi guys,

My cycle is going well, allbeit slowly!

My pH has dropped to about 6.6 - I had been advised previously on here to not do a water change until the end, however based on some other reading (also on here) if pH drops, do a water change.

so, what do you all think ?

PS for info this is the first time pH has changed in the 3 weeks, Nitrates are being sorted by the plants, Ammonia finally hit zero yesterday, and Nitrites stable(ish)

 

[SlyT]

Anyone?

I dont want to stall the cycle, so if I should do a partial water change to bring up the pH, Id rather do it ASAP.

SlyT

 

[waterdrop]

A "partial" water change has no meaning in a fishless cycle. If you are going to water change to alter the makeup of the "bacterial growing soup" you might as well do a 90% change and get the maximum effect. Assuming you have significantly higher (7s?) pH from your tap, I'd not hesitate to do the water change given your stats. Its true that doing a water change during a fishless cycle can cause the growing process to appear to "pause" for a day or so, but in your case the growth will be so slow at pH=6.6 that overall you should see an overall advantage to getting the pH higher. Don't forget to use conditioner, roughly temp match and to recharge with ammonia after the water change. You might even add a dash of plant fertilizer that has iron to your "soup" as that's one other trace thing the bacteria like to have, theoretically.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[Bobtastic]

Could you also add some Bicarb to up the pH at this point?

 

[SlyT]

A "partial" water change has no meaning in a fishless cycle. If you are going to water change to alter the makeup of the "bacterial growing soup" you might as well do a 90% change and get the maximum effect. Assuming you have significantly higher (7s?) pH from your tap, I'd not hesitate to do the water change given your stats. Its true that doing a water change during a fishless cycle can cause the growing process to appear to "pause" for a day or so, but in your case the growth will be so slow at pH=6.6 that overall you should see an overall advantage to getting the pH higher. Don't forget to use conditioner, roughly temp match and to recharge with ammonia after the water change. You might even add a dash of plant fertilizer that has iron to your "soup" as that's one other trace thing the bacteria like to have, theoretically.

~~waterdrop~~

Cheers waterdrop, I wont forget those things, Ive got TPN+ and been adding some liquid carbon too.

I must get some updates into my planted tank thread as I had to clean it all out to get out the dead plants over the weekend.

Ill check stats again tonight, Tapwater pH is about 7.2 to 7.4. The drop to around 6.6 to 6.8 appears to have happend only since I removed the decaying plant matter (about 2-3 days max)

Could you also add some Bicarb to up the pH at this point?

I may consider this - bearing in mind I am still cycling, so no fish etc, would it hurt to put in a bit of bi-carb as required till the 90% waterchange ?

 

[Bobtastic]

Not sure what sort of effect the bicarb would have on the old plants tho...

 

[SlyT]

Not sure what sort of effect the bicarb would have on the old plants tho...

Cheers Bobtastic - anoune else want to confirm?

 

[SlyT]

Anyone got any comments?

Im planning a 20-40% water change tomorrow unless I hear otherwise.

 

[Amunet]

Adding baking soda won't hurt the plants and should be just fine in your tank.
I would try a big water change first though.
If that doesn't work, then try the bicarb, baking soda, whatever ya want to call it heh

 

[waterdrop]

Agree, I'd not hesitate to do as large a water change as is practical given your plants. Then recharge with ammonia and ferts and see how much and for how long it improves your cycling stats. Its always good to try this approach first as its better if it works. If it doesn't though then bicarb will work too. I had KH=0 and got great benefit from bicarb in the end and its just another thing thats easy to to recharge after a "fishless cycle kickstart water change."

~~waterdrop~~