Ph

[littlenemo]

Why would my ph drop from 8 to like 6.4 while doing cycling???

 

[Prime Ordeal]

It's perfectly possible yes, it could go even lower and you'd stall the cycle completely.

Oh sorry, you asked why!

The ammonia eating bacteria produce acid when they convert the ammonia to nitrite, lowering the pH.

You need to boost it back up to 8 using bicarbonate of soda.

 

[littlenemo]

prime just boosted it back up. ammonia is dropping to 0 in 10 hours just tested nitrites its 0.25 finally woohooo and nitrate is dark red 40. so is it nearly there now??? do i does ammonia again tonight to say 3 and if tomoz night its all 0 apart from nitrates is it reaDY

 

[Prime Ordeal]

Yes, now you've boosted it back up it should process that nitrite as well. Some people suggest dosing for another week (once you've got double zeroes) to be sure that you don't get any mini cycles but if your initial fish load is light then you should be good to go straight away.

 

[littlenemo]

i think i will keep doesing to 3 till i get double o o for a few days.