yet another noob cycling thread (sorry)
- Thread starter fineexampl
- Start date
So i'm a bit confused folks. I've been doing huge water changes. i did 2-3 50% water changes and that got the nitrites to 1ppm. I did a 70-80% water change and that knocked it down to .50ppm. I just did another change just like that and it's still stuck at .50ppm.
Is there something i'm missing or should i just hang in there and be patient? Would a filter change help any?
Is there something i'm missing or should i just hang in there and be patient? Would a filter change help any?
No don't change filter/media that's where a lot of your beneficial bacteria is. Just hang on you are in the home stretch now
now that sounds positive.No don't change filter/media that's where a lot of your beneficial bacteria is. Just hang on you are in the home stretch now
This simply means you have the bacteria that converts ammonia into nitrite working actively in your tank, which is a good thing. It will soon settle at 0ppm level.
As mentioned above, changing your filter media right now would be counter productive.
So...i picked up some mondo grass today to add to the tank since it looked really solid at the LFS. So after some rearranging and light cleaning (read: taking out some chewed up plants) i did a test of Ites, Ates, and Ammonia. Ites are zero. Ammonia was barely registering if at all. Ates are in the same boat as the Ammonia.
So...the water is clear, the feeder fish i used to cycle the tank look cheerful and happy. They actively eat, swim, etc.
Is that it? Am i done?
Here is the new tank as i have it now. I'm happier with it now than yesterday. I like the grass a whole lot better than the plants i tossed. I only saved the plants with signs of life.
Uhhh, Mondo Grass is...
http://www.plantgeek.net/plant-220.htm
Another miss with the plants...
My suggestion, if you want a thin-strip tall plant, try out Limno. Sessiliflora, http://www.plantgeek.net/plant-4.htm or Pennywort http://www.plantgeek.net/plant-126.htm or any sort of Vallisneria http://www.plantgeek.net/plantguide_search.php?filter=1&search=val
DON'T BUY A PLANT THAT COMES IN A PLASTIC CYLINDER CONTAINER. They are almost NEVER aquatic plants.
http://www.plantgeek.net/plant-220.htm
Another miss with the plants...
My suggestion, if you want a thin-strip tall plant, try out Limno. Sessiliflora, http://www.plantgeek.net/plant-4.htm or Pennywort http://www.plantgeek.net/plant-126.htm or any sort of Vallisneria http://www.plantgeek.net/plantguide_search.php?filter=1&search=val
DON'T BUY A PLANT THAT COMES IN A PLASTIC CYLINDER CONTAINER. They are almost NEVER aquatic plants.
I don't understand why they sell these plants 100% subermerged than. This is getting ridiculous. I want a grass looking plant, but every plant i've had i'm being told here isn't even supposed to be in water.
But is the cycling done though? All i keep reading anywhere is the nitrAtes should be a tad higher, but other than that i can't tell if i'm good yet.
But is the cycling done though? All i keep reading anywhere is the nitrAtes should be a tad higher, but other than that i can't tell if i'm good yet.
