ok cool man, and nice to meet you also. i'm thinking of not doing a w. change just because it's only my pH that is significantly off. the fish seem ok. if it was ammonia i would. i'm going to run a test in a few hours just for kicks, and then i'll test again after work around 2-3p.m. tomorrow afternoon. hopefully i'll be going to the lfs for a couple angels.
i cant take the wait any longer
- Thread starter katuuuz
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thanks, he will forever be a legend in that tank as the fish who successfully broke out of jail. that's the last time i leave the python unattended while draining.
well, on a lighter note if i ever decide to attempt a water bridge, i know dannios will be curious enough to go through.
http://www.bio-elite.com/waterbridge.htm
well, on a lighter note if i ever decide to attempt a water bridge, i know dannios will be curious enough to go through.
http://www.bio-elite.com/waterbridge.htm
ok, this test is being conducted roughly 4 hours after adding squeezed filter and polyester batting to my filter...
the nitrates are either a light orange, or a deep yellow, i can't decipher 100%. i look at it and it looks orange, i look closer and it looks yellow. anyway if it is anything it's between 0 and 5ppm nitrates. i hope the bacteria didn't die on the half hour ride home. i had the heat in the car blasting in attempts to keep them warm.
regardless, what should my readings be when i'm cycled? as of now i'm between 0 and .25 on ammonia, 0 on nitrites, and from 0-5.0 on nitrates. pH is still low, but when i do a water change it'll be back. plus once i reach my "cycled" point i have to do a 75% water change, correct?
anyways, here's a pic of my nitrate test 4 hours after i added the filter juice and batting:
the nitrates are either a light orange, or a deep yellow, i can't decipher 100%. i look at it and it looks orange, i look closer and it looks yellow. anyway if it is anything it's between 0 and 5ppm nitrates. i hope the bacteria didn't die on the half hour ride home. i had the heat in the car blasting in attempts to keep them warm.
regardless, what should my readings be when i'm cycled? as of now i'm between 0 and .25 on ammonia, 0 on nitrites, and from 0-5.0 on nitrates. pH is still low, but when i do a water change it'll be back. plus once i reach my "cycled" point i have to do a 75% water change, correct?
anyways, here's a pic of my nitrate test 4 hours after i added the filter juice and batting:
Allow me be the first to say, that you have nitrates 
That said, with fish in you don't worry about 75% changes etc etc.
Just keep testing for ammonia and nitrite, do a change whenever they show at .25 ppm. Do changes also as necessary to keep nitrates below 40ppm (personally I shoot for 20 ppm).
You're very nearly cycled, but you may very well still get spikes on ammonia/nitrite - so don't let up. When you have no detectable ammonia/nitrite for a couple of weeks, and nitrates are slowly increasing over that period, you are cycled
That said, with fish in you don't worry about 75% changes etc etc.
Just keep testing for ammonia and nitrite, do a change whenever they show at .25 ppm. Do changes also as necessary to keep nitrates below 40ppm (personally I shoot for 20 ppm).
You're very nearly cycled, but you may very well still get spikes on ammonia/nitrite - so don't let up. When you have no detectable ammonia/nitrite for a couple of weeks, and nitrates are slowly increasing over that period, you are cycled
Allow me be the first to say, that you have nitrates
you said that like i'm done... am i right? don't they have to be at like 20ppm?
what do i do now? (i feel like my girlfriend is going into labor)
Yup...looks like you have nitrates. Feed your fish tonight and then check your parameters again tomorrow. If ammonia and nitrites stay at 0 and you are still seeing nitrates you should be ready to slowly add more fish.
^ nope not quite done now is really just the start 
(I edited above ^)
I am like a stopped clock - accurate twice a day every day
now is really just the start (I edited above ^)I am like a stopped clock - accurate twice a day every day
ok, i'll feed them tonight and test at 3 pm tomorrow. i won't rush to get fish, but hope i won't have to wait a few weeks as coler stated. (thank your for the info by the by coler)
how long does it usually take for nitrates to climb higher?
how long does it usually take for nitrates to climb higher?
