Hi all,
I’m coming back to the hobby after 20 years. I’ve had cichlid and saltwater tanks, but circumstances dictate a small tank at this time. It’s got to go in the living room so I chose a BiUbe Pure 9 gallon tank (I know it’s a controversial choice, but it had to look good in the LR!). The plan was to have a low tech tank and use only easy plants that can be tied to rocks/driftwood, so I was thinking of a variety of Anubius. I also wanted some nerites, RCS, and a few tetras.
I started cycling using the ammonia “add and wait” method and have been testing daily. I know it’s supposed to take longer but I’m now at day 84 and I’ve still got nitrites! Here’s the current specs using API master test kit:
Ammonia=0 after 24 hrs (haven’t tested more frequently).
Nitrite=5.0 (and rising, but was off the chart before the ph crash)
PH=8.0 (same out of tap)
Nitrate=10
Temp=82F (keeping high to help the bacteria grow)
The PH has crashed 3 times – each time I did a 50% water change. The most recent crash was a few days ago. I’ve been adding 1ml of ammonia daily to bring it up to about 3-4ppm. The tank has a river gravel (pea size) substrate, 3 small pieces of driftwood, and the charcoal and zeolite was removed out of the filter.
I’ve been patient because work has kept me so busy lately, but now I’m getting impatient! Did something go wrong? After doing some reading am I understanding that you don’t even need to cycle a planted tank? Could I just do a huge water change, and add my plants?
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!
Thanks.
Angie
I’m coming back to the hobby after 20 years. I’ve had cichlid and saltwater tanks, but circumstances dictate a small tank at this time. It’s got to go in the living room so I chose a BiUbe Pure 9 gallon tank (I know it’s a controversial choice, but it had to look good in the LR!). The plan was to have a low tech tank and use only easy plants that can be tied to rocks/driftwood, so I was thinking of a variety of Anubius. I also wanted some nerites, RCS, and a few tetras.
I started cycling using the ammonia “add and wait” method and have been testing daily. I know it’s supposed to take longer but I’m now at day 84 and I’ve still got nitrites! Here’s the current specs using API master test kit:
Ammonia=0 after 24 hrs (haven’t tested more frequently).
Nitrite=5.0 (and rising, but was off the chart before the ph crash)
PH=8.0 (same out of tap)
Nitrate=10
Temp=82F (keeping high to help the bacteria grow)
The PH has crashed 3 times – each time I did a 50% water change. The most recent crash was a few days ago. I’ve been adding 1ml of ammonia daily to bring it up to about 3-4ppm. The tank has a river gravel (pea size) substrate, 3 small pieces of driftwood, and the charcoal and zeolite was removed out of the filter.
I’ve been patient because work has kept me so busy lately, but now I’m getting impatient! Did something go wrong? After doing some reading am I understanding that you don’t even need to cycle a planted tank? Could I just do a huge water change, and add my plants?
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!
Thanks.
Angie