Started cycle

[Rivercats]

You have to do what you think is best. Remember I have a 100% planted 220g tank with 6 large loaches and the only plant I can't grow is HC because they do uproot it. You can trap the pond snails but you will never get them all.

 

[KPhilly]

I'll try to keep them at bay. I was really excited about Blue Nerite snails.

 

[KPhilly]

I'm almost completely cycling ammonia and nitrites in 24 hours! My PH is 6.8. Should I raise it to 7.0 so it will be neutral?

 

[KPhilly]

I'm assuming my plants are using my nitrates too, because in only have 5.0 ppm of nitrates.

 

[Rivercats]

Yes the plants use ammonia and nitrates so low nitrate readings in a planted tank isn't unusual. As for raising your ph I wouldn't bother unless it continues to fall. When you do a WC or two it will add enough buffers back into the water to raise your Kh and Ph.

 

[KPhilly]

Dying watter lettuce?

 

[Rivercats]

Not water lettuce, looks more like frogbit.

 

[KPhilly]

Is it still alive?

 

[Rivercats]

If it's green and has some white roots then it's alive.

 

[KPhilly]

The whole thing looks white. One had a red leaf.

 

[Rivercats]

They could have been kept in too low light. If they have good 'white' roots then I'd leave them alone and see what happens.