Several questions pahleeze.

[@rtemis]

Hi,

Still doing a fishless cycle and here are my recent levels:

NH3/NH4=~2
NO2=2
NO3=80
low pH=7.6
high pH=7.8

I have several questions regarding my cycle. First, for the last two days the nitrites and nitrates have remained the same. I am now adding ammonia to maintain a 2ppm reading two times a day. I worry about loosing my bacteria if ammonia levels drops to 0ppm. Do I keep adding ammonia until my nitrites drop?

Second question. What is my true pH? Which number do I use?

Third. I bought a piece of Malaysian drift wood. Will it lower my pH drastically? Oh, I have boiled it and will soak it for a couple of days.

Thanks..

@rt

Google Docs - Aquarium Cycling

 

[Purrbox]

You keep adding Ammonia until the day before you add fish. The day you add your fish do a large water change (~90%) first to get the Nitrates levels down.

Wait until your cycle is over to measure the pH, until then you won't get a consistant pH measurement. Either way your pH will be perfectly fine for fish.

I haven't found that there's a significant change in pH with the Malaysian driftwood when sufficiently prepared. It will depend in part on how large a peice you have in comparison with the size of the aquarium as to how much affect it can have. If you want to check ahead of time, fill up a 5 gallon bucket and test the water for pH after 24hrs. Add the driftwood and test again in a week. Unless your aquarium is smaller than the bucket, this is rough estimate of te maximum change you'll see and the affect will lessen over time.