Low Ph While Cycling

[snazy]

If after the water change these are the results then the nitrItes were initially off the charts.
Judging by the colour, nitrIte could be off the chart again. You can do a 50tap/50tank water test to see if it shows lower but either way it's too high.
Another water change maybe

 

[cerberus0250]

If after the water change these are the results then the nitrItes were initially off the charts.
Judging by the colour, nitrIte could be off the chart again. You can do a 50tap/50tank water test to see if it shows lower but either way it's too high.
Another water change maybe

Ok mate, I will do another water change tonight and see if it drops. *crosses fingers*

 

[cerberus0250]

Hello,

After the water change yesterday I took another reading today and here are my results.

Day 26 : Ammonia 0ppm/Nitrite 0ppm/Nitrate 40ppm

I added 2ml of Ammonia which should take me to around 2ppm. I'll see how it's getting on tomorrow morning.

Thanks for your time.

 

[TwoTankAmin]

Neither ammonia nor nitrite should ever be allowed to get above 5 ppm, they will work against the cycling process if the do. And if they get much above that level they can actually kill the very bacteria we want.

Once nitrites first show up, you should cut the ammonia dose by at least 50% and more is fine. You can even go to dosing every 2nd or 3rd day. That will help keep the nitrite from getting out of hand as well.

When you think your cycle has finished, do a water change to bring down your nitrates into the 20ppm range. Then dose the original amount of ammonia it took to get you to the initial 2-4 ppm needed to start the cycle. Dose it in the evening and test the next day. If you can test 0 ammonia and 0 nitrite and your nitrates are above that 20ppm level your wc got it to, you are fully cycled.

 

[cerberus0250]

Hello,

My 34 day old 120L tank is now clearing 3ml Ammonia/Nitrite in approx 16 hours. I was wondering if I could add a few fish at this stage seen as though the fish will not produce as much Ammonia in a short time. I was thinking of adding just 3 small fishies tomorrow.

Your thoughts on this would be much appreciated.

Thanks for your time.

 

[snazy]

I'd say you should have no problem adding fish now.
Congratulations on the cycle

 

[cerberus0250]

I'd say you should have no problem adding fish now.
Congratulations on the cycle

Omg, im sooo buzzing

I will only add a few for the first two weeks and see how they get on.

How does this stocking list sound?

6 Cardinal Tetra
6 Rummy nose Tetra
2 Dwarf Gourami Male and Female
5 Cori Catfish (The smallest ones I can find)
Which fish should I add first and in what quantity should I add them? My thoughts are the tetra are not very hardy but the gouramis may get teritorial if i add them first. Cori's are not that hardy as far as I am aware. I don't want any to die! It's really bad for this fish and my family will luagh at me for waiting so long and then the fish died. All I have herd over the last 5 weeks is "When are you putting fish in?" "why are you adding ammonia?" "your doing it wrong" This has got insanly annoying because they don't understand the science! My mum used to keep fish and what the shop told her she totally belives
Will I have space for anything else? I have a 120L tank.

I'll post a pic of my tank soon although im kinda embarassed because I don't think it looks as good as yours!

Thanks

 

[snazy]

To be honest, I wouldn't be the best of help with stocking the tank.
Why don't you open a fresh thread just for the stocking as you should get more replies

 

[OldMan47]

Your pH has returned to near 6.8 and the nitrite is off the chart in my mind. The water change raising your pH will have a beneficial effect in getting your cycle moving again. Extremely low pH values, below 6.4, have been shown to stall a cycle.

 

[snazy]

Any updates?

 

[cerberus0250]

Any updates?

Hello mate, Thank you for asking

I have added 6 clown loach to my 120L simply because they are the only bottom feeders I have found that I actually like the look off and dont think they are ugly! Before everyone says "the tank is too small take them back", I would like to say they are babys and the tank will be upgraded when they get bigger or even traded back to the shop. Please notify me of any problems or potential concerns with my plan As far as I can tell they are doing fine Ammonia, Nitrite are always reading zero

I have 1 question... The clown loach love going up and down the side of my tank where the air pump stone is.. So I thought maybe they will like a powerhead to give them more flow. I added the powerhead today and they dont seem to be interested and keep going up and down the side of my tank.. Is the powerhead too powerfull for them at the moment? Whats the best location to have the power head? The powerhead I bought is called "Pumpzilla 5000" (only joking!) Real name is "Newave 1000".

Thanks for your time.

P.S totally buzzing with my clown loach! they are so good to watch!

 

[snazy]

It's hard to say where to put the powerhead. I had the same question a while ago.
Generally you want all combinations of filtration and powerhead to be turning the flow towards the filter intakes. This way the tank will be cleaner.
As for the clown loaches, they should love the extra current and I wouldn't worry about it being too strong unless is blowing away the glass of the tank