Help Planning And Cycling My New Tank...roma 125

[KAISER]

Thanks mate, I agree with you about the ph, but my concern is when the tank is eventually fully stocked I may end up with a ph of 6.0 or under, what do you think? Or will the ph remain at 6.4 no matter what the bioload? Also, would it be a good idea to raise the ph just while the tank is cycling?

As for no nitrite, I think I read somewhere they have a really hard time growing in low ph? My daughters tank is on day 45ish and hasn't seen nitrite yet either. Also both tanks are showing ammonia again after the ph crash, so I dont know how much damage has been done to the bacteria.

Thanks to Simon, I like the look of Rams, so I plan on either two bolivians or german blues in the future.

Will adjust the first post accordingly from now on!

 

[KAISER]

Can I make a suggestion, it would really help if all the readings you've taken are also put into one post. When you post as you do already, if you also edited the first post putting the readings taken in there it would help anyone see what the trend is much much easier. Just a thought, having all the results in one place to read rather than over several pages is far more useful

Will add to the first post from now on, I have put as much info there about the cycle so far as I can.
I have also started a thread about my low ph and what may/may not be the best solution in the scientific section if anyone is interested.

 

[KAISER]

I changed around 40% of the water today to try and get an idea how fast the bacteria are processing the ammonia and to see if I'm ready to add another platy this week.

 

[KAISER]

I added another platy tonight and one panda cory. (will add more pandas as soon as the tank catches up with the bioload again)

 

[KAISER]

I'm glad to see the ph has returned back to 6.6 Hopefully wont take too long for the tank to deal with the new bio-load

 

[KAISER]

After carrying out a water change tonight, I found a tiny snail, think it might be a Ramshorn, but hard to tell!

 

[PDSimon]

The new fish settle in ok? glad to see the pH is back up

 

[KAISER]

Yep, they are settling in fine so far I feel a bit sorry for the panda, but he will have a pal in good time
And yes, it seems to be good news on the ph front for the past couple of weeks, I just hope it stays that way!!

 

[KAISER]

Why do I never get a Nitrite reading? The tank is dealing with the ammonia, so why no Nitrite?

Any ideas?

 

[kaivalagi]

Just what I was thinking, I am not sure if there are other fish-in cycling topics you could gauge yours against in terms of time?

Also, I wouldn't have added a Panda cory to the tank until it's fully cycled...they are more sensitive than the bigger cories.

 

[KAISER]

I looked around to try and guage my cycle against another, but without success. I could compare to my daughters tank which is on day 55 and is at 0.25 ppm ammonia and 0 ppm nitrite which I'm more worried about. I really dont get why I'm not seeing nitrite in either tank, unless the bacteria was already there from the tap water? Guessing wildly now....

I had read mixed views on the Pandas hardyness. I had intended to only add one more platy, but impulsed bought the Panda too....seems happy enough so far though

 

[KAISER]

I took a sample of water from my daughters tank to P@H and got them to test it, with the same results I get, including no nitrite or nitrate. They told me to stop doing such frequent water changes and gravel vacs and to leave the tank by itself, only monitering the fish and water changing when they look sick or die!! I haven't water changed hers for a few days now and will let it be unless the ammonia gets really bad, or goes over 0.50 ppm. I know, bad for the fish but her tank is over 60 days in now!
They also mentioned neither they or any customers have ammonia in the tap water around here. After buying another ammonia test kit and testing the tap, I suppose it does look more yellow than green, so maybe had a wee fault with my original ammonia test kit. But then again, the test cards aren't the easiest things to read!
Both tanks ph is holding steady at 6.6 since I changed back to aquasafe dechlorinator.

 

[KAISER]

Looks like the first signs of nitrate today, there was a definate orange tint to the test tube

 

[KAISER]

Came home to a little surprise today, babies!! Maybe half a dozen or so, I'm guessing they are platy fry and not from a potentially pregnant cory when I bought her? I have left the lights off to give them a better chance of hiding

 

[PDSimon]

Awesome