Having Trouble With Starting The Cycling In My Tank. Please Help

[OldMan47]

A better way to raise pH is baking soda. In addition to raising the pH it will increase the KH of the tank water which will help the water's pH resist going right back down.

 

[ClkJay]

A better way to raise pH is baking soda. In addition to raising the pH it will increase the KH of the tank water which will help the water's pH resist going right back down.

How much baking soda do I put? I have a 135gallon
Will it harm my fish that are in there or my live plants?

 

[OldMan47]

It won't bother the plants one bit. For fish in the tank I hesitate to use baking soda. It can move the pH faster than the fish can adjust to it. Very little is needed to make a significant change in pH so I would stay away from it for a fish-in cycle.