Helpppp! 7 months and tank isn't cycled?!
- Thread starter Jay335
- Start date
The nitrate was already established previously meaning that your tank is cycled. Is the bacterial colonie strong enough to eliminate 4ppm of ammonia and nitrite? pH don't increase by itself that's why you need crush coral to maintain the pH.
I think my PH was always at 6 regardless of the amount of water changes I did. It would always drop down to 6 and ammonia would linger. Should I just grab some PH buffer?
Do not get pH buffer that instantly shoot your pH up to 7.0 since you have a black diamond in there. They are really sensitive to that drastic change. Put 2. 5 to 3 cup of Florida crush coral with aragonite by Caribsea. Rinse them well and put it under the drip tray so it work efficiently.
Would this slowly make my ammonia toxic then? The fish are still eating but I feed smaller amounts every two days and stay away from shrimp and fish that spoils the water quickly.
Just surprised these fish were actually growing in these conditions. I had my silver and peacock bass at around 2" and the stingray at 6. I initially thought it was my pot scrubbers that were killing the bacteria of some sort. Ive been through several bottles of seachem stability and tetra safestart and nothing has worked with the cycle.
BB will develop at a pH of 6.5, but it's very slowly. Around 6.0, it's in virtual hibernation. The ammonia converts into a less toxic form ammonium, which is why fish often don't die.
You say your pH has always been low. Have you properly tested your tap water for it? Is it said to be 6.0 by your water company?
Regardless, making pH water stable at something higher isn't going to be easy unless you have proper buffers in the water. Again, that requires testing or a water report.
As said above, do not try to rapidly change the pH up as it will suddenly increase ammonia toxicity. I'd probably get the water tested (ammonia, nitrites, nitrates, pH, kH) before deciding on any changes.
You say your pH has always been low. Have you properly tested your tap water for it? Is it said to be 6.0 by your water company?
Regardless, making pH water stable at something higher isn't going to be easy unless you have proper buffers in the water. Again, that requires testing or a water report.
As said above, do not try to rapidly change the pH up as it will suddenly increase ammonia toxicity. I'd probably get the water tested (ammonia, nitrites, nitrates, pH, kH) before deciding on any changes.
My tapwater PH is neutral at 7 that's what I'm confused about it's always dropping down to 6 in my 180 no matter how many water changes. And it's been at 6 for the past few months since I tested it. My nitrate would keep rising but no nitrite and just ammonia. It's gone to the point where I just test my tank for ammonia and do a 20-40% water change depending on how high it is. I use the same tapwater for my saltwater aquarium but that goes through an RODI system.
The only other theory I can think of is that my pot scrubbers aren't suitable for aquarium use? I saw two different packages at the store one specifically said not for aquarium use and the one I bought didn't mention it. Even then I have a whole tray filled with bioballs and ceramic rings.
