Author Topic: First tank. Need advice on ammonia and ph levels. (Read 30709 times) 58 replies

Betta2020 · « **Reply #40 on:** January 14, 2020, 01:31:01 PM »

Thanks for the info @fishtales and @fcmf, planning on reading up both suggestions later this evening.

Betta2020 · « **Reply #41 on:** January 14, 2020, 01:40:01 PM »

Hi @jaypeecee I'm planning on testing every day. I tested last night and while ammonia and nitrate were the same, nitrite was zero. Is this even possible? Maybe I should have retested to make sure? After the test I had to move the tank and cabinet to a different location. So just under 50percent of the water was changed to make this easier. This will have an effect on today's test I guess?

jaypeecee · « **Reply #42 on:** January 14, 2020, 02:25:58 PM »

Quote from: Betta2020 on January 14, 2020, 01:40:01 PM

Hi @jaypeecee I'm planning on testing every day. I tested last night and while ammonia and nitrate were the same, nitrite was zero. Is this even possible? Maybe I should have retested to make sure? After the test I had to move the tank and cabinet to a different location. So just under 50percent of the water was changed to make this easier. This will have an effect on today's test I guess?

Hi @Betta2020

Firstly, what were your ammonia and nitrate readings last night? Nitrite at zero? Odd, yes. But, this is why I prefer to start with no plants in the tank. I like to keep things simple. Instead of just one process going on in your tank, we have two and an unpredictable source of ammonia - the substrate. Let's see what today's results bring.

JPC

Betta2020 · « **Reply #43 on:** January 14, 2020, 02:50:44 PM »

Ammonia 1.0pm nitrate 5.0pm @jaypeecee

Betta2020 · « **Reply #44 on:** January 15, 2020, 07:24:57 PM »

Hi @jaypeecee the last 2 days results for water parameters have been 1.00ppm ammonia, for nitrite 0ppm and I'm still picking up nitrate at 5ppm.

jaypeecee · « **Reply #45 on:** January 15, 2020, 07:52:57 PM »

Hi @Betta2020

My brain is trying to tell me that it needs a rest. I can't think straight. But, for the purpose of trying to help you, here goes...

We appear to have reached stalemate or whatever word you choose. You could wait a couple more days and just take measurements as you've been doing. At the same time, you might want to think about getting hold of a small bottle of Tetra SafeStart. Let us know if you get some. Then, we could use the appropriate dose for your tank volume. Please keep us updated. One way or the other, we'll crack this puzzle.

JPC

Betta2020 · « **Reply #46 on:** January 15, 2020, 08:24:24 PM »

Haha thank you for your patience @jaypeecee. I have a bottle of api quick start would this do?

jaypeecee · « **Reply #47 on:** January 15, 2020, 08:35:30 PM »

Quote from: Betta2020 on January 15, 2020, 08:24:24 PM

Haha thank you for your patience @jaypeecee. I have a bottle of api quick start would this do?

Hi @Betta2020

I have no experience of using API Quick Start. But the product that I suggested is a proven winner with me and other fishkeepers. You can probably get a bottle very quickly from Amazon. Having the correct species of bacteria is key to successful cycling. I'm not saying that the API Quick Start wouldn't work but it's just another unknown.

It's your call.

JPC

jaypeecee · « **Reply #48 on:** January 16, 2020, 07:01:31 PM »

Hi @Betta2020

What's the latest?

JPC

Betta2020 · « **Reply #49 on:** January 17, 2020, 03:01:10 PM »

Hi @jaypeecee I decided to go with the api quick start on Wednesday as I had it here. Tested yesterday no change in parameters. Tested today ammonia 1.0ppm, now have nitrite at 0.50pm, nitrate 5.0ppm

Sue · « **Reply #50 on:** January 17, 2020, 05:26:43 PM »

If you can get some Tetra Safe Start, that is more likely to work. API Quick Start has the reputation of speeding up the ammonia stage but not the nitrite stage.

jaypeecee · « **Reply #51 on:** January 17, 2020, 05:47:32 PM »

Quote from: Betta2020 on January 17, 2020, 03:01:10 PM

I decided to go with the api quick start on Wednesday as I had it here. Tested yesterday no change in parameters. Tested today ammonia 1.0ppm, now have nitrite at 0.50pm, nitrate 5.0ppm

Hi @Betta2020

I'm really pleased for you. You must be delighted. So, now, it looks like a biological culture has started to develop on the Bio Rings. By keeping the lid closed on your setup will help this culture to develop as light is known to slow down (even stop) the growth of nitrifying bacteria.

With your API Master Test Kit, you can keep an eye on KH and pH. The nitrifying bacteria colony will develop fastest when pH is greater than 7, ideally around 8.5. I always ensure that KH is greater than 4dKH. And don't forget to keep an eye on your tank thermometer, which should be 25 - 30C at this stage.

BTW, don't go looking for signs of bacterial growth - these little critters are approximately one thousandth of a millimetre long!!

Please keep us updated.

JPC

jaypeecee · « **Reply #52 on:** January 17, 2020, 06:02:33 PM »

Hi @Betta2020

You will note that @Sue has just mentioned Tetra SafeStart. That's why it was my first suggestion. Indeed, it's not just that the nitrite to nitrate stage may slow down, it could stop right there leaving toxic ammonia in the water. Not good. It will depend if API has moved with recent developments and improved the formulation of Quick Start.

JPC

Betta2020 · « **Reply #53 on:** January 18, 2020, 09:43:55 AM »

Ok I'm going to a garden centre on my day off on Monday, there's a MA there so will try to pick up a bottle of tetra. Measured parameters this morning as out for rest of day. Having trouble deciding if ammonia is at 1.00pm or 2.00ppm. Nitrite is up to 1.00ppm also nitrate up to 10ppm.

jaypeecee · « **Reply #54 on:** January 18, 2020, 10:28:54 AM »

Quote from: Betta2020 on January 18, 2020, 09:43:55 AM

Ok I'm going to a garden centre on my day off on Monday, there's a MA there so will try to pick up a bottle of tetra.

Hi @Betta2020

I think you'll find that MA does not stock Tetra SafeStart. There are lots of places online (including Amazon) where you can get it. MA only deal with certain companies - I think you'll find that Tetra isn't one of them!

JPC

Sue · « **Reply #55 on:** January 18, 2020, 10:58:33 AM »

Pets at Home have Safe Start on their website though that doesn't mean that every branch has it in stock.

Littlefish · « **Reply #56 on:** January 18, 2020, 12:00:33 PM »

I think MA might do some Tetra products, I bought some Tetra brand fish food at an MA not long ago.
Might be worth phoning your local store to check.

fcmf · « **Reply #57 on:** January 18, 2020, 12:23:01 PM »

My MA has always stocked Tetra fish food (and other brands). However, when it comes to these types of "beneficial bacteria cycling" products, they tend to stock the Microbe products intead which they claim are exactly the same as Seachem Prime - although not sure they can make this claim when Seachem Prime's ingredients are a trade secret. From what I can gather, Tetra Safestart is a staple product in PAH stores.

jaypeecee · « **Reply #58 on:** January 18, 2020, 05:39:29 PM »

Hi @Betta2020

In hindsight, it is possible that some MA stores may stock Tetra SafeStart. As the stores are independent of each other, what one store stocks may not be the same as another. I see that SafeStart is listed on MA's web site:

https://www.fishkeeper.co.uk/catalogsearch/result/?q=tetra

JPC

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First Tank. Need Advice On Ammonia And Ph Levels.

First Tank. Need Advice On Ammonia And Ph Levels.

Author Topic: First tank. Need advice on ammonia and ph levels. (Read 30709 times) 58 replies

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