Recent content by Jayw

Belchertown MA here. I have a 55 gallon cichlid tank that I'm in the process of stocking.

I had my tank full of blood fin tetras and danios then the great October snowstorm hit and I was without power for a week. Needless to say all but one of the tetras didn't survive. I let the tank run for about 2 weeks after we got power back testing parameters every day until I was satisfied the...

Finally, ammo went up to .25 ppm, nitrates have gone up to about 8 ppm, nitrites still at 0.

I did that too and the color looks to be between the 7.4 and 7.8. What does this mean for my cycle? I'm not trying to rush it but if things are stable over the next week what should I do to kick start it?

The softening system doesn't add salts. Here is a photo of the tests I just ran on the water.

I plan on doing a full "by the book" cycle. I was surprised by the nitrates too. The only answer I can come up with is the house filter in the basement. Just boiled some rocks from the yard. There seems to be some green growth that scrubs off. It doesnt look like typical moss but more like...

Hello everyone. Bought the tank and equipment 2 weeks ago and finally got the stand yesterday. Stayed up late last night washing gravel and sand and filled the tank half way. Finished filling this morning, got the filter running and added some fish food to start cycling. Is it ok to add...