Tom, I think you're totally right. I remember seeing something on one of those sites I researched about the bacteria perferring a certain pH...which is why I came to that conclusion. And now from what you found...it's correct. I tested the water today and NOTHING has changed. Same readings...it's definitely stalled. I will do a
PWC tonight to get the pH back up.
Yeah this is week 3. I think once the pH is back up, it'll finish cycling pretty quick.
Other than this new problem...my tank looks great. LMAO!!! It's crystal clear.
I even went to Tropic Isle today (good store about 30 min away) b/c I was in the neighborhood. I went "window shopping".
I think I'm going to start off with 6 zebra danios and maybe 3 other schooling fish. I think that will be an okay bioload to start with. OMG..they had these COOL elephantnose fish there that I had never seen before! So cool! And they also had these golden plecos that were beautiful. They were brown with golden spots...$40 each though.
Think I'll pass.
LOL
Thanks so much for your help. I'm sorry your water sucks out in IL.
JUST KIDDING!! I'm going to test pH out of the tap just for kicks. Don't have a water hardness test but I know it's not soft. We have pretty good water in the Boston area..comes from a huge reservoir (the Quabbin) in the middle of the state.