13 replies to this topic

[diannpf]

Hello, just wondering what test kit I should get. Is the ph enough or should I get a nitrite one as well thanks

[Mattia]

ph, ammonia, nitrate, nitrite are the essentials.

If you are planning to keep african cichlids, then I would also recommend Kh and Gh test

[diannpf]

Ok great thanks. I'm in the process of s new tank so going the water cycling. Can you tell me what the levels should be please

[chocky]

Ok great thanks. I'm in the process of s new tank so going the water cycling. Can you tell me what the levels should be please

0 ammonia
0 nitrite
traces of nitrate (means its cycled)
pH - depending on what fish you are keeping

it can take up to 1 month to fully cycle so gotta be patient.
after about 2 weeks you'll see a spike in nitrite. after another 2 wks you should see ammonia and nitrite drop to 0 and nitrate start to build up.

what are you using as your source of ammonia?

[diannpf]

It's not got any fish in yet it's been running for almost 2 weeks now so I will take a water sample to the fish shop. What should I use for the ammonia

[chocky]

It's not got any fish in yet it's been running for almost 2 weeks now so I will take a water sample to the fish shop. What should I use for the ammonia

if it doesn't have any fish or source of ammonia it won't be doing anything.
what fish do you plan to keep? how big is your tank?
Some people use fish food, some use pure ammonia which is used as a cleaning product i think but haven't been able to find any :/

[diannpf]

I might put some neons in to get it started then it's a 200 lt tank I want to put cichlids in there eventually

[chocky]

I might put some neons in to get it started then it's a 200 lt tank I want to put cichlids in there eventually

thats a good idea. that's a pretty light bio load so you shouldn't run into too much trouble

[Delapool]

I think I have seen ammonia at Aquotix (hope that is right spelling), but not 100% sure.

Just be careful if you go neons, I found them a bit delicate.

[dicky7]

If you want a fish  to start the cycle buy a few Gold Fish and put them in ... they are very hardy  and will survive the  cyclying of the tank  also they are very dirty fish  which is what you want

 

Cheers Rich

[diannpf]

Thanks 😀😀😀

[Buccal]

KH I do 12.
If you set 12 or around that, it's highly likely that your ph will automatically hit 8.4 or so,, higher is fine,,, and ph will become very stable.
This is why your KH additive is called a buffer, it buffs the ph, or stabilising it for no fluctuations.
Added bonus is that carbonates (KH),,, is part of the process for the bacteria's nitrification.
So basically in lay mans terms, it supercharges your filters by improving the nitrification process.
This is why I like to even run medium and semi-soft water fish in higher levels "especially for breeding".
I believe my high success with stingrays has been due to higher KH levels,,,, as every single fish including Rays are sitting in the same water, every tank and every pen runs through the main centrifugal sump.

So I tend to say,,, you are a master of water, but the water is the master of the fish.
The KH trick makes medium keepers look pro...

[Delapool]

My comment imo on fish-in cycling (if you go that road rather than fishless) is to make sure the fish are disease free. I like to think Australia has good fish stocks but the last thing a new fish-keeper needs is fish coming down with an infection (and into an infected tank) while at the same time managing water changes to keep ammonia bearable.

I'd also suggest seachem prime just in case unfamiliar as it detoxifies most (or a similar product). Seachem safe is the dry product and very good value (except I've been using the same container for the last one hundred years and it's one less excuse to hit the fish shops ).


http://www.seachem.com/prime.php

[sandgroper]

Just add a couple of apple snails for cycling.