Jpappy's planted 20 gallon long "build" thread
- Thread starter jpappy789
- Start date
Once you get stocked are you planning to do gravel vacs when you do water changes? With all those plants and the wood, plus that fragile substrate I'm thinking vacuuming the substrate could be dangerous and more hassle than it's worth.
Yes indeed, the ladies like your wood! How's the cycle coming now? It can't be long...
Well...it's a good thing it looks good right now because otherwise I'd be about ready to give up.
Today I've got no ammonia but nitrite showing a very deep purple...friggin bacteria just dont want to establish apparently.
Today I've got no ammonia but nitrite showing a very deep purple...friggin bacteria just dont want to establish apparently.
It looks great!
I think I know waths happens. Test the ph value...that big wood may be is the source a low ph in your tank = slow cycling (2-3 month). Nitrosomonas and nitrobacter need ph 6,8 or more to multiplicate fast. Try to add an air pompe to increase the ph (ideal value 7,5-7,7 during the cycling). Plants used in the time of cycling is considered "of sacrifice"...It's just my opinion...Good luck!
I think I know waths happens. Test the ph value...that big wood may be is the source a low ph in your tank = slow cycling (2-3 month). Nitrosomonas and nitrobacter need ph 6,8 or more to multiplicate fast. Try to add an air pompe to increase the ph (ideal value 7,5-7,7 during the cycling). Plants used in the time of cycling is considered "of sacrifice"...It's just my opinion...Good luck!
I haven't tested lately, and pH limitation could be the case, but with a 7.6 pH out of the tap it would have to drop considerably to be limiting nitryfying bacteria to such an extent. Granted, it's only been a month. The AOB seem to be doing fine, just the NOB step is not up to par.
I guess I'll test tonight to see if the wood is affecting anything, especially given a lower KH (~3).
Well nitrite bottomed out today, so that's good. Dosed some more NH3 and we'll see what happens from here.
FYI pH is just below 8ish.
FYI pH is just below 8ish.
