Hello there 
This is my first post on AA! I'm sure it's kind of cliché that my post is about cycling so let me first apologize in advance!
Here is some general background info:
Tank: 55 gallon
Substrate: ECO-Complete with a small amount of Carb Sea "instant aquarium" sand.
Current conditioner: API stress coat+
My situation:
I've had my tank set up for a little over two weeks now. I just had it pushing water through the filter for the first week and didn't start dosing ammonia until the start of week 2. I've been dosing between 2 and 4 ppm since then, when required.
After about 4 or 5 days into the cycle the ammonia was just about completely wiped out. The nitrites came just after also. They're very high, probably around 4 ppm or even higher. The nitrates however are very low, around 5 ppm, less than 10 ppm from what I can tell. It's been ~ 0 ppm ammonia, ~ 4 ppm nitrites, ~ 5 ppm nitrates for almost a week now.
One thing I have noticed from the beginning is that my pH is very high. It's been around 8.4 every time I've tested. I'm assuming this is due in part to the substrate. From what I've read it seems that there are mixed opinions on whether or not high pH will slow or stall a cycle.
Would anyone happen to have a word of advice in this situation?
Sorry of the long winded thread but I appreciate any insight you might be able to provide. (Yes I've been reading non stop trying to gain as much insight as I can for the past month or so. I apologize if this has been discussed or answered before)
This is my first post on AA! I'm sure it's kind of cliché that my post is about cycling so let me first apologize in advance!
Here is some general background info:
Tank: 55 gallon
Substrate: ECO-Complete with a small amount of Carb Sea "instant aquarium" sand.
Current conditioner: API stress coat+
My situation:
I've had my tank set up for a little over two weeks now. I just had it pushing water through the filter for the first week and didn't start dosing ammonia until the start of week 2. I've been dosing between 2 and 4 ppm since then, when required.
After about 4 or 5 days into the cycle the ammonia was just about completely wiped out. The nitrites came just after also. They're very high, probably around 4 ppm or even higher. The nitrates however are very low, around 5 ppm, less than 10 ppm from what I can tell. It's been ~ 0 ppm ammonia, ~ 4 ppm nitrites, ~ 5 ppm nitrates for almost a week now.
One thing I have noticed from the beginning is that my pH is very high. It's been around 8.4 every time I've tested. I'm assuming this is due in part to the substrate. From what I've read it seems that there are mixed opinions on whether or not high pH will slow or stall a cycle.
Would anyone happen to have a word of advice in this situation?
Sorry of the long winded thread but I appreciate any insight you might be able to provide. (Yes I've been reading non stop trying to gain as much insight as I can for the past month or so. I apologize if this has been discussed or answered before)
