My Cycle Progress

[DallasP]

After creating a spreedsheet, I started my cycle over a week and a half ago. I've kept my Ammonia level at 5.0ppm the entire process, hoping that this would go as planned. About 4 days ago I experienced a nitrite spike, the test went through the roof, then the next day was completely gone, but through it all I still had ammonia present. I have small signs of nitrates showing up but still plenty of ammonia. Its like it has come to a stand still. No clue, any advice? also I read that baking soda will raise the ph level if it gets low enough? How does this work and how do I go about it safely and accurately?

[SirWired]

If your pH is too low, then you need to buffer it to a higher value. If you just add baking soda, your pH will go up temporarily and then just crash again as metabolic wastes lower your pH. You will need to post your water parameters for more advice. Specifically pH, and GH/KH. The AP FW Master Test Kit no longer includes a GH/KH test, so you will need to have your LFS do the test, or purchase a GH/KH kit.

SirWired

[RISK2123]

After creating a spreedsheet, I started my cycle over a week and a half ago. I've kept my Ammonia level at 5.0ppm the entire process, hoping that this would go as planned. About 4 days ago I experienced a nitrite spike, the test went through the roof, then the next day was completely gone, but through it all I still had ammonia present. I have small signs of nitrates showing up but still plenty of ammonia. Its like it has come to a stand still. No clue, any advice? also I read that baking soda will raise the ph level if it gets low enough? How does this work and how do I go about it safely and accurately?

i dont really understand what ur question is. ammonia is nitrite, and when tanks are cycling they go through ammonia spikes.

but yeah, baking soda supposodly works as a buffer along with raising the ph. so i think u should be ok adding some in. ive never used it being that my tap water is pretty good about buffer compacity. but i hear it works well.

[blue_soda025]

i dont really understand what ur question is. ammonia is nitrite, and when tanks are cycling they go through ammonia spikes.

Unless I misinterpreted, are you saying that ammonia is the same thing as nitrite? Because that's not the case. Tanks go through an ammonia spike and then a nitrite spike as ammonia is processed by bacteria that converts it to nitrites. A different strain of bacteria use up the nitrites and convert it to nitrates.

I had a similar problem where my cycle stalled like that. It was because my pH had gotten too low. I added some baking soda and that seemed to work. Ammonia is being processed much faster than before.

[DallasP]

Well I checked my all my water perimeters this morning and here they are:

Ammonia: 5.0
Nitrites: 0.0
Nitrates: .50
Ph: 7.2

Im going to buy a water hardness test this weekend so I have all the needed tests. Im just assuming that nitrite spikes are ok and they will happen periodically throught the entire cycling phase. If thats not the case please correct me. I hate bothering the group about cycling issues, Im just trying to learn something I've never done before. Honestly I've always done a fishy cycle. So its the Anxious to get my kids into their new home so they can spread out alot more, and enjoy a larger tank. But from what I gathered my water perimeters are fine, I have the tank set at 80 degrees, and theres plenty of circulation.

[budrecki]

Are you referring to the 100g tank listed in your signature? I really hope you are not....

[DallasP]

Are you referring to the 100g tank listed in your signature? I really hope you are not....You dont even have to say anything im sure you're hinting at my choice of fish? Whats wrong with it if ya dont mind me asking? I've had several people from this board tell me what I plan to put in it will be fine, so whats wrong with it?

[Rbishop]

are the fish in there now...or planned?

[DallasP]

they arent in there now. its planned fish to stock it with. im doing a fishless cycle. lol i may be new to this hobby and forum but i know better than that.

[budrecki]

(You may want to indicate in you signature that these are planned stocking lists)

And your stocking does have problems.....what kind of pleco's are you planning on getting??

[DallasP]

(You may want to indicate in you signature that these are planned stocking lists)

And your stocking does have problems.....what kind of pleco's are you planning on getting??Im canning the Plecos and getting a few Synos for the bottom of the tank. All my fish are midle/top so I need a few bottom dwellers. Question is which synos to get ;) Im going to have to add more hiding spots, so im going to stop and pick up some gutter today to create under the sand hiding spots and what not. Plus added a few better spots such as sovered flower pots.

[budrecki]

1. You don't NEED bottom dwellers, you want them. ;)

2. Have you ever owned an oscar before? I f not, I'll explain all the reasons why your 100g plan is going to fail.

[DallasP]

After doing all the research, i felt very confident that the oscar would work.

[budrecki]

I'm sure you've done lots of research, however......You asked for opinions so here goes.


Are you interested in given a fish the best home you can, or cramming as many fish as you can into as small a tank as you can? Oscars get big, fast. 12 inches is the "norm", but with proper feeding, water maintenance, and housing 18 inches can be achieved. These fish live a along time...20 years.
A 100g tank is, in my opinion, the bare minimum for a single oscar. Now your going to add more fish in the mix.....a no no. Go bigger, or get 1 fish.

Do you know oscars are best kept in bare bottom tanks? They are messy and require serious filtration. They also like to redecorate. They will pick up any thing they can and move it. If they can't pick it up, they ram it with their head. Yes, I have seen it.

Getting an oscar is like getting a dog, it's a hugh commitment. Just my penny.

[debaric]

(You may want to indicate in you signature that these are planned stocking lists)

And your stocking does have problems.....what kind of pleco's are you planning on getting??


What do you mean his stocking has problems? I completely disagree. You really should explain why you think that instead of just telling him that his stocking "has problems."

[budrecki]

Did you read the above post debaric?

[DallasP]

Theres no reason in arguing. I've learned in the past few days REALLY fast that its all about perspective and opinion. I've asked structly cichlid breed owners from an strictly cichlid breed site and they said that it would work out perfectly fine. I've asked people here including budrecki and she says its not enough, then a while back asked a few others and they all said it was fine besides the silverdollar cause its a school fish so I dropped the dollar. I respect peoples opinion and when you come to a place like this you're bound to get mixed emotions and even incorrect opinions from people who obviously doesnt know quite as much as they act, which isnt surprising cause you get that anywhere( this isnt targeted at anyone). Im going to do more research intomy stocking and see what i come up with. Thanks for the help guys. :look: