Advice cycling planted tank

[wintersjustin]

Hey guys so good news I think my tank 3 gallon tetra cube has cycled I have 0 nitrites my last water change was Friday the 13 and then the nitrites were very high but now they are gone this is a no fish cycle but I'm having problems with my hardness gh is 300 and the alkalinity is 0 what the heck I use stress coat plus when I first started tank and used it when I did water changes only 2 but I use distilled water when I need to add water from the evaporation so please any help advice would be awesome!! Am I fish ready or what?

 

[Delapool]

Do you have all water chem readings and what were they measured with? Also have you tested tap water (used for water changes)?

 

[wintersjustin]

I used distilled water and yeah the readings are nitrate 5,nitrite0. Gh 300,kh 0. Ph 6.8. No ammonia reading

 

[TMaier]

I'm looking at those lovely rocks wondering if they are contributing to the hardness? Water loves minerals and using distilled I'm wondering if your rocks are giving up the minerals.

 

[wintersjustin]

Oo never thought about that any suggestions? I love those rocks they are seiryu stone

 

[nirbhao]

They are limestone. Your kH is 0 because you're using distilled water. Your gH is high because limestone dissolves in water at a low enough pH. I can't find the specific pH with a quick Google search.

It's actually a reaction that will stabilize. The limestone will bring the water to a pH where it doesn't dissolve anymore.

 

[wintersjustin]

Ok so what should I do?

 

[wintersjustin]

I'm going to add chili rasaboras

 

[nirbhao]

Pick fish that like hard water.

 

[wintersjustin]

Any good recommendations for this planted 3 gallon tetra cube

 

[nirbhao]

Snails are always great. I'm not a shrimp person, but people seem to love them.

 

[wintersjustin]

So no fish then?

 

[TMaier]

Snails and shrimp can be total buds.

 

[flchamp89]

Nirbhao great post on the limestone.

 

[nirbhao]

Nirbhao great post on the limestone.

High five!

 

[Barliman]

Any good recommendations for this planted 3 gallon tetra cube

Endlers? They like water conditions similar to those liked by guppies.

 

[nirbhao]

Endlers? They like water conditions similar to those liked by guppies.

Definitely hard water fish.