Greena Cycle Log

[GreenA]

Ok, hi guys.

As recommended, this is my cycle log:

Quick summary:

Bought the tank @ LFS and followed his instructions: clean everything, add water & conditioner, pump and heater, leave for couple of days then add 6 fish.

• had fish since Friday
• 2 Swordtail, 2 Mollies & 2 Guppies
• 90l aquarium
• no plants yet
• water hardness is hard
• temperature a constant 25.5°C

Test Results with API:

Friday 19.08.11, 6.30pm:

pH: 7.6 (standatd test)
NH3/NH4+: 0
NO2-: 0
NO3-: 0

Saturday 20.08.11,7.30am:

pH: 7.6 (standatd test)
NH3/NH4+: 0-0.25
NO2-: 0
NO3-: 0

When I woke up the water seemed cloudy, which I posted on here and was recommended a 50% water change which I carried out immediately.
Tested again same day in the evening.

16.22pm:

pH: 7.6 (standatd test)
NH3/NH4+: 0-0.25
NO2-: 0
NO3-: 0


Sunday 21.08.11, 9.00am:
as the pH was high when I did the standard pH test I thought I should do the High Range pH test, too. Water is still cloudy.

pH: 7.6 (standatd test); 8.2 (high range test)
NH3/NH4+: 1.0
NO2-: 0
NO3-: 0

and again after testing I carried out a 50% water change.

I think the pH is too high, isn't it? Should I get some pH Down?
I will test the water again this evening.

Thanks in advance for the help. Your opinions are highly appreciated.

 

[Tolak]

You will see variances in pH with cycling tanks. Adjusting the pH of tap water is not as easy as adding chemicals to bring it down, hardness & total dissolved solids need to be taken into account. The fish you have will do fine at a pH of 8.2.

Keep changing water as often as needed to keep the ammonia as low as possible, this may mean 50%+ water changes daily.

 

[GreenA]

Okay, will do so.
Thanks Tolak

 

[GreenA]

Update:

50% water change carried out straight after this morning's testing.

Tonight's test results:

ph: between 8.2-8.4 (high range test)
NH3/NH4-: close to 0.25
NO2-: 0
NO3-: 0

Why is my pH rising? Do I need to worry?

 

[GreenA]

Oh, and it has been very warm today so water temperature rose to 26.5°C.

 

[fluttermoth]

Tapwater often has CO2 added, which can raise the pH as it gasses off. As long as you stick with hard water fish it won't be a problem.

 

[GreenA]

ok. thank you.

 

[GreenA]

Further update:

22.08.11:
9am

pH: 8.2 (high range test)
NH3/NH4+: <0.25
NO2-: 0
NO3-: 0

11pm

pH: 8.2 (high range test)
NH3/NH4+: <0.25
NO2-: 0
NO3-: 0

23.08.11

7am

pH: 8.2 (high range test)
NH3/NH4+: >=0
NO2-: 0
NO3-: 0


The last two days my ammonia level seems to be quite low. However, I am wondering when I will see a change in nitrite? I know cycling takes time but do you guys have an estimate when abouts I might see some change? Oh and I keep doing my water changes.
Thanks in advance.

 

[GreenA]

??

 

[fluttermoth]

I'm afraid fish-in cycles do tak a long time; six weeks is probably about average, though some take longer. You may never see a nitrite spike; it depends on what bacteria are floating around.

 

[Blubble37]

+1 it takes a very long time indeed!

 

[GreenA]

Ok. Thanks Fluttermoth.

I just have to be patient I guess...

 

[Blubble37]

that you will lol!

 

[fluttermoth]

Ok. Thanks Fluttermoth.

I just have to be patient I guess...

Console yourself with the fact that once this is over, you will never have to do another cycle again! You'll be able to clone your filters off your cycled one from then on; I did one, and one only, fishless cycle when I got back into the hobby about 20 years ago; all the filters I have now have been cloned from that original colony (I probably have the original sponges kicking round in one of my filters somewhere, lol!).

 

[Blubble37]

Ok. Thanks Fluttermoth.

I just have to be patient I guess...

Console yourself with the fact that once this is over, you will never have to do another cycle again! You'll be able to clone your filters off your cycled one from then on; I did one, and one only, fishless cycle when I got back into the hobby about 20 years ago; all the filters I have now have been cloned from that original colony (I probably have the original sponges kicking round in one of my filters somewhere, lol!).

so it is possible. cloning is possible BWA HA HA HA HA!!! The world is MINE!!!!!!!