Hi, hope it's okay to start a new topic to get the answer to this question...
The good news is I think my tank has finally cycled - yay
Over a period of about 10 days, ammonia readings have been 0, nitrites have appeared and for the last three days I have had a nitrate reading. Day 1 was probably between 0 and 5, yesterday was 5 and today is quite orange and I would say possibly 10. My pH has remained stable at 7.4 for several days. No remineralisation salts have been added since 7th June. HOWEVER, my KH has been steadily dropping (WC on 7th June, 9th June and 15th June and will probably do one tonight as I'm going away until Sunday). My KH reading this evening is 2.8.
Am I correct in thinking that if I add more remineralisation salts it will cause my pH to rise as when they were first added it went as high as 8.0. I know quick changes in pH are stressful for the fish and obviously I don't want it to be at 8.0 anyway. It's stayed at 7.4 for over a week now.
But do I need to increase the KH? Other than adding remineralisation salts, will doing a partial WC help? Now the tank has cycled and pH is stable (for now!) does it matter that the KH is low?
Just to be sure my tank HAS cycled, I won't be adding any more fish until next weekend (I'd like to pretend it's because I'm being sensible, but the truth is because I'm away this weekend, I won't get chance to go to LFS until then
)
In the meantime I'll keep testing and wait for advice on whether to mess with the KH again (chemically I mean - not by WC).
Thanks for your help!
Liz