Agreed, as it was mentioned before, large water changes will NOT hurt the cycling processes. At the moment, the fish's health are of the most concern.
Desperate in need of help before I throw in the towel - Amonia issues!
- Thread starter David Y
- Start date
I wouldn't be concerned with Ph, GH and KH at this point. The elephant in the room is your nitrites. They are more lethal than ammonia and you need to continue large daily water changes until they go away. Like said, heavy doses of Prime (per the bottle) will detox the nitrites (or ammonia) for a portion of the day, but those daily BIG water changes will be the true life saver.
As probably said, one thing that would speed along a proper cycle for this tank would be some healthy, seeded filtration media.
Feeding extremely lightly and skipping days of feeding is very wise until your tank produces nothing but nitrates.
As probably said, one thing that would speed along a proper cycle for this tank would be some healthy, seeded filtration media.
Feeding extremely lightly and skipping days of feeding is very wise until your tank produces nothing but nitrates.
Ok 90% water change 7 hours ago. With good vacuum of poo & plant waste off gravel floor.
Just took readings -
Ammonia is just off perfect 0 maybe 0.1
NITRITE - 0 or maybe 0.1
Nitrate - 5
PH 6.8
Added salts, declorinator, prime & stability Bacteria.
Are these readings better? Next steps? Still no feeding all babies & catfish alive. Air stone on. Plants growing well.
Just took readings -
Ammonia is just off perfect 0 maybe 0.1
NITRITE - 0 or maybe 0.1
Nitrate - 5
PH 6.8
Added salts, declorinator, prime & stability Bacteria.
Are these readings better? Next steps? Still no feeding all babies & catfish alive. Air stone on. Plants growing well.
If you get 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, and measurable nitrate...then you're in the clear. But it needs to hold at this...low levels right now may be because of the recent water change...not to be a downer 
