I had been attempting to cycle an aquarium (fishless) during the months of October and November. On October 21st, somehow the bottom of this aquarium cracked and all of the water leaked out. Not be discouraged, I purchased a new aquarium on Nov. 23rd and transferred all media, including filters, gravels and artificial plants into it.
I tested the new water and the levels were:
pH - 6.8-7.0
High range pH - 7.8
Ammonia - 0.0-0.25
Nitrite - 0.0
Nitrate - 0.0
I added 20 drops of pure ammonia and a couple of hours later the ammonia levels increased to 0.5-1.0 ppm.
I then added another 20 drops of pure ammonia.
11/24/15
I tested the water and the levels were:
pH - 6.6-6.8
High range pH - 7.8
Ammonia - 0.25
Nitrite - 0.0
Nitrate - 0.0
11/25/15
I added 4 tetras.
I tested the water and the levels were:
pH - 6.4
High range pH - 7.8
Ammonia - 0.25
Nitrite - 0.0
Nitrate - 0.0
11/29/15
Tested for ammonia only and it had increased to 4.0 ppm.
11/30/15
I tested the water and the levels were:
pH - 6.0
High range pH - 7.4
Ammonia - 4.0
Nitrite - 0.0
Nitrate - 0.0
Added a single dose of Proper pH (to raise pH) and Stress Zyme (to reduce ammonia?).
12/01/15
Made a 30% water change
12/02/15
I tested the water and the levels were:
pH - 6.0-6.4
High range pH - 7.8
Ammonia - 1.0
Nitrite - 0.0
Nitrate - 0.0
Water was noticeable cloudy
12/07/15
I tested the water and the levels were:
pH - 6.4
High range pH - 7.8
Ammonia - 2.0-4.0
Nitrite - 0.0
Nitrate - 0.0
After testing made a 25% water change
12/11/15
Noticed that water was starting to smell bad
Tested ammonia only and level was 2.0-4.0 ppm
Made a 50% water change
After water change, levels were:
pH - 6.0
High range pH - 7.8
Ammonia - 2.0
Nitrite - 0.0
Nitrate - 0.0
I also have a filter (Penguin I think - made by Marineland) that has a bio-wheel and hold two charcoal filters. I replaced one of the charcoal filters and left the other in place in an attempt to knock down the smell.
Added two neon tetras and a dwarf gourami. The neons died and the gourami is doing fine. Fish total is 4 tetras and a dwarf gourami.
12/17/15
I tested the water and the levels were:
pH - 6.0
High range pH - 7.4
Ammonia - 4.0 plus
Nitrite - 0.0
Nitrate - 0.0
Added a dose of Stress Zyme.
I guess my questions is...Am I still on the right track? Should I be doing something differently?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
I tested the new water and the levels were:
pH - 6.8-7.0
High range pH - 7.8
Ammonia - 0.0-0.25
Nitrite - 0.0
Nitrate - 0.0
I added 20 drops of pure ammonia and a couple of hours later the ammonia levels increased to 0.5-1.0 ppm.
I then added another 20 drops of pure ammonia.
11/24/15
I tested the water and the levels were:
pH - 6.6-6.8
High range pH - 7.8
Ammonia - 0.25
Nitrite - 0.0
Nitrate - 0.0
11/25/15
I added 4 tetras.
I tested the water and the levels were:
pH - 6.4
High range pH - 7.8
Ammonia - 0.25
Nitrite - 0.0
Nitrate - 0.0
11/29/15
Tested for ammonia only and it had increased to 4.0 ppm.
11/30/15
I tested the water and the levels were:
pH - 6.0
High range pH - 7.4
Ammonia - 4.0
Nitrite - 0.0
Nitrate - 0.0
Added a single dose of Proper pH (to raise pH) and Stress Zyme (to reduce ammonia?).
12/01/15
Made a 30% water change
12/02/15
I tested the water and the levels were:
pH - 6.0-6.4
High range pH - 7.8
Ammonia - 1.0
Nitrite - 0.0
Nitrate - 0.0
Water was noticeable cloudy
12/07/15
I tested the water and the levels were:
pH - 6.4
High range pH - 7.8
Ammonia - 2.0-4.0
Nitrite - 0.0
Nitrate - 0.0
After testing made a 25% water change
12/11/15
Noticed that water was starting to smell bad
Tested ammonia only and level was 2.0-4.0 ppm
Made a 50% water change
After water change, levels were:
pH - 6.0
High range pH - 7.8
Ammonia - 2.0
Nitrite - 0.0
Nitrate - 0.0
I also have a filter (Penguin I think - made by Marineland) that has a bio-wheel and hold two charcoal filters. I replaced one of the charcoal filters and left the other in place in an attempt to knock down the smell.
Added two neon tetras and a dwarf gourami. The neons died and the gourami is doing fine. Fish total is 4 tetras and a dwarf gourami.
12/17/15
I tested the water and the levels were:
pH - 6.0
High range pH - 7.4
Ammonia - 4.0 plus
Nitrite - 0.0
Nitrate - 0.0
Added a dose of Stress Zyme.
I guess my questions is...Am I still on the right track? Should I be doing something differently?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.