Hey Guys -
So I posted before about having the 10 ph level out of my tap.
My tank has been up and running for 2 weeks now, doing a cycle. Only in the last 2 days have I added the crushed coral.
When testing the tank ph level (before coral) it was about 7.2 (after coming out of the tap at 10???), and after 2 days of coral, its at 7.4.
The ammonia level is .5 ppm, nitrates are at 40 ppm, and 0 nitrites.
I have several questions regarding this information:
1. How far along am I with the cycle (have never done a fishless one, and on my first tank, guy at the store sold me goldfish and some tablet to start it within 24 hours, i soon learned this isnt the way to do it....)
2. Why is the ph in the tank so much lower than out of the tap? And will the coral bring up the ph to 8 or so?
3. I have heard that putting in large ph differences into your tank can kill the bacteria and send the tank into a mini cycle...is this true? Any suggestions?
and finally
4. Should I be changing the water during the cycle, or just let it be? I have been adding bacteria to the water also (its made by the people who make stress coat, but its purple).
Sorry for the long questions, but I really want to get this tank right, and not kill any good fish!
So I posted before about having the 10 ph level out of my tap.
My tank has been up and running for 2 weeks now, doing a cycle. Only in the last 2 days have I added the crushed coral.
When testing the tank ph level (before coral) it was about 7.2 (after coming out of the tap at 10???), and after 2 days of coral, its at 7.4.
The ammonia level is .5 ppm, nitrates are at 40 ppm, and 0 nitrites.
I have several questions regarding this information:
1. How far along am I with the cycle (have never done a fishless one, and on my first tank, guy at the store sold me goldfish and some tablet to start it within 24 hours, i soon learned this isnt the way to do it....)
2. Why is the ph in the tank so much lower than out of the tap? And will the coral bring up the ph to 8 or so?
3. I have heard that putting in large ph differences into your tank can kill the bacteria and send the tank into a mini cycle...is this true? Any suggestions?
and finally
4. Should I be changing the water during the cycle, or just let it be? I have been adding bacteria to the water also (its made by the people who make stress coat, but its purple).
Sorry for the long questions, but I really want to get this tank right, and not kill any good fish!
