Fishless Cycle > Ph Has Dropped > What Next?

[LondonguyJ]

I decided to make a new thread as opposed to posting this in my cycle log because to me, this is urgent

I have read a number of cycles both here and a several other forums and have come to the conclusion that adding anything/large water changes severely stalls the fishless cycle.

But now I've reached that juncture. My ph has dropped to 6.0 and as I was so against, in all my reading I never came up with a contingency plan should this happen to me.

So your advice here is desperately needed.

J

ps My add/test time is at 10pm

 

[PDSimon]

Large waterchanges, infact 100% waterchanges never stalled my cycle but you can use bicarbonate of soda when fishless cycling.

What size is your tank? If you dont have any bicarb, I would do a 100% waterchange, but keep the filter in tank water in a bucket ouf of the tank until you can fill the tank back up with water and re-dose with ammonia at 10.

Remember to use water conditioner!

 

[LondonguyJ]

My apologies

It seems I've posted the same topic twice. When I created the thread it showed an error. oops.

 

[PDSimon]

It keeps doing it... don't worry. You still didn't answer my question though

 

[Twinklecaz]

It's alright, that's happening to loads of people for some reason.


Waterchanges don't do any harm. In fact I think doing that actually helped my tank. But yeah you can sue Bicarb to up the PH too. That's what the rest of us do. Approximately 1 tablespoon per 50L.

 

[LondonguyJ]

Sorry Si

My tank is a juwel 125L

If I do a 100% water change do you think that instead of removing the external filter. I could just switch the power to the filter off and also switch the taps that are on the in/out take pipes to off.

 

[Twinklecaz]

I don't know much about external filters but they problem is you musn't let it dry out. It has to be kept wet in tank water so you don't lose the bacteria.

 

[BethK]

I'd leave the sponge in a tub of water from the current water in your tank, try avoid washing it in tap water, if you can.

 

[PDSimon]

Why would you remove the sponge? If its external water should stay in it? I don't know cos I don't have one but just ensure that the filter is in tank water or atleast conditioned water

I'd put about 1 + 3/4 tablespoons in of bicarbonate of soda, unless you've done a waterchange then i'd just add about half a tablespoon assuming your tap water pH is about 7.5

but yeah a waterchange will be fine now, the pH will drop again I imagine, they often seem to on fishless cycles! So get bicarb at the ready if you just go for a waterchange

 

[LondonguyJ]

Ok I've done a 100% water change but things are not going so smoothly. I only had enough "Tetra AquaSafe" to treat 90L

Then I ran out

I have a small bottle of "Nutrafin AquaPlus" But am not sure if I can mix them and use the tetrasafeplus to treat the remaining 35L

I left the filter running whilst emptying the tank up until the intake could no longer suck any water up and the spray bar stopped spraying.

As it stands I have the external filter is not on and the pipes are outside the tank.

I have the pump running to distribute the aquasafe.

Waiting on advice

J

 

[PDSimon]

I don't know the names for things but if you don't have enough water conditioner for the water, don't put all the water in and get some more asap.

regarding the filter, i'm not sure on how externals work but i dont think you're meant to run them without water so be careful...

Hope all goes well

 

[LondonguyJ]

Too late

I've already added 125L and treated 90L

I'm going to wait till 10pm (which is 2 mins away) and add the other dechlorinater and leave that for 3o mins. with just the air stone to disperse it.

 

[PDSimon]

Hmm not sure what an effect this could have, but untreated water in cycling filters can set you back.

 

[LondonguyJ]

well I went ahead and used both brands of dechlor

Temp is at 20oC and climbing will wait till it reaches 250C before raising my ammonia to 3ppm .

Wish me luck!!!

 

[PDSimon]

Volcano fish?