Author Topic: Cycling tank - the restart (Read 7036 times) 91 replies

LeakysLab · « **Reply #40 on:** June 14, 2020, 04:30:35 PM »

I’m Sure the topic of substrate and Corydoras was on a different thread but I keep Pygmy Corydoras in my tank with soil powder which is finer but normal soil being larger would be more suitable for bigger Cories if you decided to keep them. Obviously just my opinion but you can cross reference with some YouTube videos of tanks with cories in that use Similar substrate

Sue · « **Reply #41 on:** June 15, 2020, 10:26:33 AM »

It's not sand specifically for cories but they need a substrate with small smooth particles. Rough particles damage their mouths, and large particles allow food to get trapped and rot, and rotting food in the substrate causes mouth infections. Cories also sift the substrate looking for food. With tiny particles like sand they take a mouthful, sift it for food and pass the sand out through their gills.
I don't know what your substrate is like, but if ticks these boxes, cories will be OK.

barneyadi · « **Reply #42 on:** June 15, 2020, 10:42:31 AM »

So frustrating @Sue . Just 0.25ppm ammonia left after 24 hours. Third time I have had a little left.

Sue · « **Reply #43 on:** June 15, 2020, 11:27:12 AM »

What's the nitrite reading? And the pH?

fcmf · « **Reply #44 on:** June 15, 2020, 12:50:45 PM »

...and can you remind us which test kit you use? I have a feeling it's API but thought I'd check as my recent experience is that different test kits seem to require slightly different interpretations, and are probably best interpreted by someone experienced in that particular brand of test kit.

barneyadi · « **Reply #45 on:** June 15, 2020, 01:49:35 PM »

Quote from: Sue on June 15, 2020, 11:27:12 AM

What's the nitrite reading? And the pH?

Usign API testing kit

PH, 6.6 in tank, 7.2 ish out of tap (slightly worrying)
Nitrite 0.1ppm ish

Sue · « **Reply #46 on:** June 15, 2020, 01:58:05 PM »

If the tap pH is freshly run water, test some that's been allowed to stand overnight. It will probably be different from the freshly run pH and is the one to compare to the tank.

With that pH the free ammonia in your reading would have been very low as most of it would be ammonium and had it not been for the nitrite reading I would have said to ignore it.
But not with nitrite in the water.

barneyadi · « **Reply #47 on:** June 15, 2020, 01:58:15 PM »

Nitrates 80ppm

barneyadi · « **Reply #48 on:** June 15, 2020, 01:59:57 PM »

Quote from: Sue on June 15, 2020, 01:58:05 PM

If the tap pH is freshly run water, test some that's been allowed to stand overnight. It will probably be different from the freshly run pH and is the one to compare to the tank.

With that pH the free ammonia in your reading would have been very low as most of it would be ammonium and had it not been for the nitrite reading I would have said to ignore it.
But not with nitrite in the water.

Ok, so keep going until 0ppm in 24 hours and 0 ppm nitrites?

Sue · « **Reply #49 on:** June 15, 2020, 04:34:14 PM »

Yes, I'm afraid so.

barneyadi · « **Reply #50 on:** June 16, 2020, 11:35:47 AM »

Hi @Sue

Can I just check something for my 200 litre tank. Checked today and ammonia is 0ppm. So part 8 of instruction says.

8. When you have two consecutive tests where ammonia is zero (that is, zero at one test and zero again two days later) add one third of the ammonia that you added originally. Yes, you add less ammonia than you did on the first day as this will stop the nitrite level getting too high.

Am I right in thinking I don't added any ammonia, do a test in two days and if still zero, then do the 1ppm ammonia?

Sue · « **Reply #51 on:** June 16, 2020, 11:55:12 AM »

Yes, that's right. It is quite hard to explain that bit properly.

barneyadi · « **Reply #52 on:** June 18, 2020, 01:29:59 PM »

If i changed my substrate at the end of the cycle, could that cause any problems to the cycle?

Sue · « **Reply #53 on:** June 18, 2020, 02:23:23 PM »

It may cause minimal loss of bacteria.

If I were to do this, I would change the substrate then add 3 ppm ammonia. That would say if there were any bacteria lost in the substrate. If the readings were not zero next day, I'd just let it cycle a bit longer.

barneyadi · « **Reply #54 on:** June 19, 2020, 06:41:06 PM »

5th time , and still have .15ppm ammonia after 24 hours. Its getting frustrating!!!!!

fcmf · « **Reply #55 on:** June 19, 2020, 07:06:27 PM »

Let's hope for 6th time lucky.

barneyadi · « **Reply #56 on:** June 19, 2020, 07:12:01 PM »

Quote from: fcmf on June 19, 2020, 07:06:27 PM

Let's hope for 6th time lucky.

Worse thing is i have to wait till tomorrow before topping back up to 3ppm. Strangely i have the slightest bit of nitrite as well, so i am just waiting for ammonia to 0 ppm, and nitrite still showing slightly.

barneyadi · « **Reply #57 on:** June 21, 2020, 11:05:47 AM »

Hi @Sue

Have checked my readings this morning and still at 0.25ppm ammonia and roughly 0.10ppm nitrite. This is 5th time i have had these readings. Could the cycle have stalled?

Sue · « **Reply #58 on:** June 21, 2020, 11:18:11 AM »

It does seem to be taking its time.

Remind me, are there/will there be any live plants in this tank?

barneyadi · « **Reply #59 on:** June 21, 2020, 11:19:48 AM »

There is 4 or 5 small plants in tank @Sue.

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Cycling Tank - The Restart

Cycling Tank - The Restart

Author Topic: Cycling tank - the restart (Read 7036 times) 91 replies

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