For both the welcome and the HOB advice. I read the posting and will make sure to remove the carbon from the filter on the next PWC. (and also use your swoosh/squeeze method).
I'm at 0 nitrites and 0 ammonia now so I guess the cycling is a done deal.
And by the way...love your red dog!
Well you would only be cycled if you have NitrAtes.
You don't have to swoosh or sqeeze every water change. If the filter is not showing sings of blockage leave it be. When you notice a change in flow then do the swish/sqeeze.
The cycling process in known as the nitrogen cycle. Ammonia is converted to NitrItes which is harmful so whenever the level gets above .25 do a partial water change. The nitrIte is then converted to less harmful NitrAte. Then plants consume the NitrAtes or your water changes reduce the NitrAte level. It's best to keep your NitrAtes under .40 ppm. That's called the Nitrogen cycle in a nutshell. Btw, Your welcome and I love my dog too. :dog:
Last edited:
