Black Ghost Knifefish parameters

[Pranicmegan]

I have a new Black Ghost Knifefish ... had it for 2 weeks so far and so far so good.
He eats well (only live Blackworms though) and seems to have settled in really well.
My question relates to water parameters ... I can't find any info online about what are the best conditions to keep a BGK in.
I have put him in my ph neutral tank, with softish water ... rather than the alkaline African tank with the hard water.
What is their best ph range? Hard or Soft water?
My filters are all cycled and ammonia and nitrates/nitrites are 0.

I want to find out BEFORE I run into any problems with him. Just because he looks good NOW doesnt mean he IS.

[SpeedEuphoria]

nitrates of 0 does not sound like a cycled tank.

[Pranicmegan]

I am new at this .... what should Nitrates and Nitrites read? I might be doing it wrong OR my equipment (2nd hand) might be 'off' if this is possible ....
SO ... what would be the best kit to buy to PROPERLY test Nitrates and also Nitrites?

[Pranicmegan]

The Tank is definitely cycled ... its 4 months old.... I did 25% water changes bi-weekly at first because I did not know how to use the testing equipment and was worried about ammonia... lol maybe I still dont know how to use em. shoot.
Now I just do 25% weekly changes
I still dont know how to test properly methinks.
Any tips appreciated.

[Pranicmegan]

I just retested ..... It's still so low it barely registers on the test strip .....
Nitrates 20ppm
Nitrites .5 ppm

Is that what it is supposed to be?

[bluerose]

Test strips are generally not reliable... dunno if you can get it in Aus but a good kit to get is the API Master Freshwater Test kit.

If the strips are right, you couldn't go wrong with a PWC. Nitrites are a little high at .5ppm and nitrates at 20ppm is about as high as it should get. Is ammonia 0ppm?

[Pranicmegan]

Uh yep Ammonia tests at 0.
So even .5 is high for Nitrites?

And thanks for the tip for the testing kit. I am currently only using the test kits I got with my 2nd hand tank ..... learning as I go!

[SpeedEuphoria]

when the tank is cycled the ammonia and nitrites will be and should stay at 0. Ammonia and nitrite should be kept at levels under .5ppm for the health.safety of fish, this is controlled with water changes while cycling, then should stay at 0. If/when its cycled the nitrates will continue to rise and should stay under 40ppm with water changes every week or so.

Some of this issue very well may be your test strips, try to get some liquid tests, like the API freshwater master kit.

[Pranicmegan]

Thanks .... the tank is now 4 months old .... I did water 25% water changes bi weekly for the first 6 weeks .... thinking it should have cycled by then.
I'm still trying to get the hang of all this. I only do 25% weekly changes now. Should I do more?
WHY would it still be not fully cycled after FOUR months? That seems strange to me ...am I doing something wrong here?
And I WILL get some better testing equipment tomorrow. I want to test for water hardness also.
THANKS!!

[SpeedEuphoria]

The only thing I can see with the info given that would cause it to Not be cycled is. If you replaced the filter media with new.

The bacteria that keep the levels in check grow and populate the filter media(sponge, ect..). So normally you just rinse the dirty filter in old tank water or dechlor water. Running the media under tap water that has chlorine will kill the bacteria. If you just throw it away, you are throwing away the good bacteria.

Normally you can rinse and reuse this media untill its falling apart. Then if you must use a new filter, then put it in along with the old one, or put the old one in the tank for at least 1 week(the longer the better). Then the bacterial should migrate from the old one to the new one and not affect the cycle.

Good luck and post test results with the new test kit