Newbie's Fishless Cycling - Brown Water Query

Hi

Newbie here so any help will be really appreciated    

I have a fluval 23l tank with a few live plants including anubis & moss.  Also have a couple of small lava rocks and a small piece of mopani wood that I rinsed before adding to the tank.

This is my fishless cycling data so far:

Test 1 (10.01.15):
0.4ml ammonia added to start [0.2 x 2 for 20l tank as 0.2ml/10l]
   Waited 30min’s checked ammonia = not on scale (still clear water)
   Added 0.4ml ammonia
   Waited 30min’s checked ammonia = 8.0ppm = highest reading ☹
         Added fluval bacteria

Test 2 (11.01.15):
        Ammonia = 4ppm phew!

Test 3 (13.01.15):
   Ammonia = 4ppm
   pH high range = 7.4
   Nitrite = 5ppm
   Partial water change, checked ammonia = 2ppm

Test 4  (15.01.15):
   Ammonia = 0.5ppm
   pH high range = 7.4
   pH (normal) = 7.6
   Nitrite = 5ppm
   Added 0.4ml = 3ppm (checked after 90 min’s)
   Added fluval bacteria

Test 5  (16.01.15)
   Ammonia = 0.25ppm
   Nitrite = 5.0ppm
   Left it as is – test again 20.01.2015
   Added fluval bacteria

Test 6  (20.01.15)
   Ammonia = 0ppm
   Nitrite = 5.0ppm
   pH = 7.6
   Added 0.4ml ammonia

Test 7  (22.01.15)
   Ammonia = 0.25ppm
        Nitrite = 0ppm
        pH = 7.4
        Added 0.4ml ammonia

Test 8  (25.01.15)
   Ammonia = 0.25ppm
   Nitrite = 0ppm
   pH = 7.4
   Nitrate = 20ppm
        Added 0.4ml ammonia

Test 9  (27.01.15)
        Ammonia = 0ppm
        Nitrite = 2.5ppm
        Partial water change as water is brown to see if water clears.
        Added 0.4ml ammonia

  About a week ago, brown algae was visible but that disappeared and now the water is just brown.

Thanks in anticipation!








   

Thanks for replying, FC76.  I was wondering if it was the wood or the rocks causing the brown water.  I rinsed them quite a lot because the rinsed water was very brown but then it cleared so I though it was ok.

Hi Sue

Thanks for the advice.  The pH was on the boundary so I wasn't sure which one to use but I'll just use the non high range test from now on.

That's the fishless cycling method I've been trying to use with a few glitches along the way (caused by my lack of knowledge & experience).  I'm pleased to see it's working.

Wish I'd found this forum earlier i.e. before I bought the tank.  I wanted a small tank to start off with as I thought that would be easier for me as a newbie.  Only when I read the forums did I realise it's too small for many fish. 

As a child we had tetras but I've read they are very 'stressed out' fish & need to be in groups of 6 or so.  So no tetras.  I would really like fish rather than shrimp so if you have any suggestions, please let me know.  I have seen a few people have a betta in their 23l tanks but I'd rather have 2 or 3 smaller fish if possible.

Thanks

Our water hardness level: very soft
Hardness Clarke: 2.100 Clarke

Our water comes from the Lakes. 

Thanks so much for the advice Sue - that is really helpful.  I am getting excited now about having fish in my tank after the cycling & having to be patient.

I've searched for the species you have mentioned and I'll try & pop into the pet store tomorrow to have a look at them so I can decide.  I'd quite like one species and I'm surprised I could have so many in this tank. So I'm very pleased!   

Test 10 (29.01.15)
Ammonia = 0ppm
Nitrite = 0ppm
pH = 7.6
Nitrate = 20ppm

Any advice?

Thanks again!

 

Thanks for changing the link. My preference would be for blue-coloured fish if possible.  I've found a blue rasbora and wondered if they would be ok in my tank..... Sundadanio axelrodi?

I'll take your advice, as you've been so helpful.  If I can’t have blue fish this time, maybe when I get a larger tank, I’ll be able to!   

Ok, I'll go hunting for them     I'll check the water tomorrow and see if it's ok.  I'll let you know the outcome. 

Thanks again, I'm really grateful for all your help Sue!