Need advice on new freshwater tropical tank cycle.

[theman1973]

10/10/2014 my tank fully cycled, had 3 repeat test ammonia drop from 4.0ppm to 0.0ppm within 24 hours, and 2.0ppm within 12 hours.

11/10/2014 stock 10 African Lake Malawi cichlids size 1.5-2.5inc and 3 Golden Sucking Catfish size 1.5-2inc. and the water condition as following
pH 7.4
Ammonia: 0.0ppm
Nitrite 0.0ppm
Nitrate -5.0ppm
GH 89.5ppm
KH 89.5ppm
Tanks setting:
I have 3 plants, one big driftwood (L35cm xH20cmxW10cm), 2 heaters 100w+50w, water temperature at 28C. Have 4L/m air pump, and Eheim 2217 filer.
I did lot research on Google, all most all African lake Malawi chlorides tank do not have plants and driftwood size ((L35cm xH20cmxW10cm). should I removed my driftwood out or reduced size to half. I am looking/seeking help to increase my pH to 8.0, GH to 200-240ppm, KH to 200-210ppm.
13/10/2014 night at 7pm test water reading are:
pH 7.4
Ammonia: 0.0ppm
Nitrite 0.0ppm
Nitrate -7.5ppm
GH 89.5ppm
KH 53.7ppm
Add 3pic of Texas Holey Rock approx. 6.1kg. Added 1 tablespoon of backing soda and 1 tablespoon of Epsom salt dissolved with tank water. I will contumely add 1 tablespoon of backing soda and 1 tablespoon of Epsom salt for 7 days until it reached to the water condition suitable for African Lake Malawi cichlids.
And please give me some your experiences how you do and what you going to do for that.

 

[dalto]

Yeah, I would remove the driftwood. Your KH is not very high so the tannins leached from the driftwood could certainly lower your pH.

 

[theman1973]

14/10/2014 9:50pm water test:
Ammonia is looking like between 0.0ppm to 0.25ppm, should I do anything about it.
Nitrite 0.0ppm
Nitrate 5.0ppm
pH 7.5 to 7.6 has been increased approx 0.1 to 0.2 from past (was 7.4 stable).
KH 9odH = 161.1
GH 9odH = 161.1
increased pH, KH & GH is due to add THR and 1 tablespoon Baking soda & 1 tablespoon of Epsom salt that was add into the tank on 13/10/2014 which is 24 hours ago.

The all fish look are normal and very active, feeding are normal.But ammonia make me worry it. is there any way to make is to 0.0ppm.

 

[theman1973]

14/10/2014 9:50pm water test:
Ammonia is looking like between 0.0ppm to 0.25ppm, should I do anything about it.
Nitrite 0.0ppm
Nitrate 5.0ppm
pH 7.5 to 7.6 has been increased approx 0.1 to 0.2 from past (was 7.4 stable).
KH 9 odH = 161.1ppm increased from 3 odH=53.7 ppm was yesterday.
GH 9 odH = 161.1ppm increased from 5 odH=89.5 ppm was yesterday.
increased pH, KH & GH is due to add THR and 1 tablespoon Baking soda & 1 tablespoon of Epsom salt that was add into the tank on 13/10/2014 which is 24 hours ago.
The all fish look are normal and very active, feeding are normal.

 

[dalto]

Are you testing right after a water change or is this water that has been in the tank a while?

 

[theman1973]

Are you testing right after a water change or is this water that has been in the tank a while?

last water changed was on Sunday of 12/10/2014 - 50% water. before stock.I

I have try 3 times before stock fish, ammonia will drop to 0.0 from 4.0ppm within 24h and from 2.0ppm to 0.0 in 12H.

 

[theman1973]

last water changed was on Sunday of 12/10/2014 - 50% water. before stock.I

I have try 3 times before stock fish, ammonia will drop to 0.0 from 4.0ppm within 24h and from 2.0ppm to 0.0 in 12H.

I was said the ammonia is b/w 0.0 to 0.25ppm, but actually it is very hard to determine is more closed to 0.0 or 0.25ppm .

 

[Bitner24]

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