Amunet
Fish Aficionado
Alrighty, so our tank has been cycling pretty normally since we started to fishless cycle it.
Recently ammonia and nitrite have been dropping to almost 0 in 12hrs.
And then, ammonia has been going to 0 within 12hrs while there is still very small trace of nitrite.
But now, something seems off.
I've been noticing that while nitrite will be gone in 12hrs, there will be a very slight ammonia reading. I mean so slight that you could probably overlook it as being yellow, but upon looking closer it is in fact turning a little green.
What do you think is causing this slight reading?
I clean out the test tubes very well with tap water and let them air dry as I've always done.
Is there a better way to clean them out if this is the reason why I'm getting ammonia readings when I probably shouldn't be?
Also... I know that the water in the tank carries very little of the bacteria, but I'm still hesitant to change the water too early before we get fish.
I really want to change the water though b/c of all of the gunk that's building up inside and to see if the coral in the tank is going to be enough to keep the pH high.
If all goes well with the cycle still... should it be ok if I did a say... 50% water change a week before we get fish?
And yes I know I'm still going to need to put in ammonia and all that... I just want to clean it up a bit and test the pH thing out beforehand. Oh and I know that I'll have to do another water change right before we add fish as well.. and all that good junk.
Recently ammonia and nitrite have been dropping to almost 0 in 12hrs.
And then, ammonia has been going to 0 within 12hrs while there is still very small trace of nitrite.
But now, something seems off.
I've been noticing that while nitrite will be gone in 12hrs, there will be a very slight ammonia reading. I mean so slight that you could probably overlook it as being yellow, but upon looking closer it is in fact turning a little green.
What do you think is causing this slight reading?
I clean out the test tubes very well with tap water and let them air dry as I've always done.
Is there a better way to clean them out if this is the reason why I'm getting ammonia readings when I probably shouldn't be?
Also... I know that the water in the tank carries very little of the bacteria, but I'm still hesitant to change the water too early before we get fish.
I really want to change the water though b/c of all of the gunk that's building up inside and to see if the coral in the tank is going to be enough to keep the pH high.
If all goes well with the cycle still... should it be ok if I did a say... 50% water change a week before we get fish?
And yes I know I'm still going to need to put in ammonia and all that... I just want to clean it up a bit and test the pH thing out beforehand. Oh and I know that I'll have to do another water change right before we add fish as well.. and all that good junk.
