Yet Another Fishless Cycle Question

[locust267]

ok im home and i have just tested my tank.

it looks like the Ammonia has dropped slightly, not quite to 2ppm but its definately lighter than yesterday

still no Nitrite though.

my PH according to the API high range test was 8.2, thats higher than i said earlier but then i have been using tetra test 5 in 1 strips for my PH and hardness tests (interestingly that still says 7.2). i then tested my tap water and that is showing a PH of 7.2.

A pH of around 8 is fab and will really help the cycle, it may of changed since your last test slightly but generally the 5 in 1 are pants and the API is very accurate

Fingers crossed for the weekend mate

 

[Attilauk]

Cheers Vicki, with any luck i may see a little purple this weekend

Axleuk - glad you like it mate, i found them very good to deal with. they delivered on the day i asked and the plants were in very good condition. they were also very quick to answer my questions on lighting requirements for the collection

 

[Efren]

are you using CO2?
that's one reason why i stay away from real plants - -
thought it might be bit big to deal with - not to mention the expense

IMO - -real plants are much much better than Artificials - - -

 

[Attilauk]

the Excel is an alternative to CO2, its not as effective as a proper CO2 system but for an aquarium with 'average' lighting it seems to work quite well

 

[Attilauk]

well after reading Efren's and Axleuk's experiences with Bactinette i thought i would give it a whirl. yesterday i picked up 3 pots of Bactinette and added it to my filter.

the water went cloudy almost immediately but cleared over the evening.

i have just tested my water, Ammonia 1ppm, NitrIte 0.5ppm and NitrAte 20ppm.

the Nitrate seemed a little high (and i followed the instructions to the letter) so i retested it and it came out the same. i then decided to test my tap water and that came out at 10ppm so its not that high after all

im going to continue with the fishless cycle for another couple of weeks to ensure everything is settled nicely but for the moment the tank seems to have taken a step in the right direction