Supraman's 10Gal Tank Journal

[Supraman]

I'm making this so I can document my tanks cycle and progress, the cycle will start tomorrow but I am still getting samples for a base. I hope fellow fish keeper can help me and point me in the right direction

Ph- 8.4
Ammonia- .50ppm
Nitrite- 0ppm
Nitrate- 0ppm

That's all for now. Tomorrow I pick up some ammonia if I can find some, really don't want to have to do a fish-in cycle.

 

[TallTree01]

Cool. I'll follow this.

 

[Supraman]

Does my ph seem high to you talltree? How can I lower it if it is? My LFS sold me API proper ph 7.0

 

[TallTree01]

It seems high to me. Mine was at 8 ph and then when I added 2 pieces of driftwood it went down to 6.5 . I'd suggest 1 small piece of driftwood to get it down.

 

[Supraman]

Ok I will define fly try that thanks for the tip

 

[Welshweeks]

Where are you supraman I have a nice piece of Mopani wood I had to take out of my 40L as it was lowering the PH too much for me. It's been soaked so hardly leaking any tannis

 

[Supraman]

Alberta Canada

 

[RCA]

Does my ph seem high to you talltree? How can I lower it if it is? My LFS sold me API proper ph 7.0

 
Generally I would not mess with the pH etc., using chemicals as fluctuating pH can cause the fish more harm.  If you have not opened what your LFS sold you I would be tempted to take it back.  As with TT's recommendation, I have a lot of wood so that assists.
 

Alberta Canada

 
Can you add this to your profile, in location as it assists people in advising you ~ cheers and

 

[r.w.girard]

Definitely agree with RCA.  It is best to avoid the use of chemicals.  Make sure that if you are using hardscape, i.e. stones as decorations, that they are inert and are not upping your pH.  The same with your gravel, make sure it is not raising your pH.  And then, you can use wood to help lower the pH somewhat, but if your water is buffered, don't expect it to change much.  Adding live plants, if you choose to, should help with this, though, effectively lower the pH as well.  But really, it is best to try to match fish to the water chemistry you have. So, the question of if it is a little high depends on what you want to keep in it.
 
You'll need to be extra careful about ammonia in your tank as it will be highly toxic - more so than at lower pHs - once you start adding fish.
 
And if you can't find ammonia, you can use either pulverized fish food or a prawn [like the kind you eat].  Never done it, but they say it works...

 

[Welshweeks]

Alberta Canada

Right, a little too far then! I'm in the UK, will be visiting Canada in the next year or so but I'm sure you'll be sorted by then! lol

 

[Supraman]

Well got my ammonia two jugs should last a while. Once I get back home I will add some and run the tests

 

[Supraman]

Well my new results after adding 2ml of ammonia are as followed

Ph - 8.4
Ammonia - 4ppm
Nitrite - 0ppm
Nitrate - 0ppm

Now I am supposed to let this sit 24 hours and check again correct?

 

[TallTree01]

I think so...

 

[Blondielovesfish]

Looks good! 24 hours test again, it's possible it won't have gone down since this is your first dosage but I may be wrong.

 

[Supraman]

I tested an hour ago just go fun and it was at 2ppm so I will test again in the morning