HI again.
Up untill about 5 days ago, i have been attempting to cycle my 10G tank with my betta fish (Bubbles) without a testing kit, substrate, or plants.
Over the last 2 months or so, I have been wiping down the sides of the tank, the minimal decor, air tubes etc, before changing out 1.75G of pretreated, and properly warmed water i would get ready ahead of time in a smaller tank. I would do this every 3-4 days.
About 2 weeks ago, I foolishly rinsed my charcoal filter in tap water . At the time i didnt realize I had just killed any beneficial bacteria that could have grown. Realized my mistake, and kept trying to cycle.
7 days ago, I purchased 8 ghost shrimp, sand substrate, live plant and an API freshwater test kit.
After quarantining the shrimp for only 2 days (which I realize now is potentiality a disaster waiting to happen) I've added my substrate, shrimp, and plant in with my betta. I'm watching Bubbles closely for any signs of illness, or signs of ich . I really hope my huge mistake doesn't affect my betta. [emoji27] I'm pretty sure he has eaten 3 of the ghost shrimp already. I can't find them anywhere.
I started to test the water and here are my results. Some feedback on these readings would be great, as I am very new to this.
March 11th -
Temp = 78
PH. = 8
Ammonia = .50ppm
Nitrite = 0
Nitrate = 0
March 12th
Temp = 78 degrees Fahrenheit
Ammonia = .50ppm
Nitrite = 0
It had only been 2 days and somewhere I read changing the water too often could worsen my cycling, so I decided to hold off one more day. Plus I was still learning about how to test.
March 13th
Temp. = 78
Ammonia = .25ppm
Nitrite = 0ppm
Nitrate = 5.0ppm
March 14th
Temp. = 80
PH. = 7.4
Ammonia = 0ppm
Nitrite = 0ppm
Nitrate = 5.0ppm
Today, March 15th
Temple. = 80
PH. Between 7.8 - 8.0
Ammonia = 0 ppm
Nitrite = 0 ppm
Nitrate = 0 ppm.
So. At this point I believe these levels are good? It's a bit confusing. It's great that the ammonia is 0, but losing the nitrates? Is that a bad thing?
What do these readings mean ? Am I still cycling? Has it Cycled?
Also, How soon would disease or illness appear? Should I be worried about Bubbles?
Thanks for all your help and Advice!
(I'll post pics as soon I figure out how! )
Up untill about 5 days ago, i have been attempting to cycle my 10G tank with my betta fish (Bubbles) without a testing kit, substrate, or plants.
Over the last 2 months or so, I have been wiping down the sides of the tank, the minimal decor, air tubes etc, before changing out 1.75G of pretreated, and properly warmed water i would get ready ahead of time in a smaller tank. I would do this every 3-4 days.
About 2 weeks ago, I foolishly rinsed my charcoal filter in tap water . At the time i didnt realize I had just killed any beneficial bacteria that could have grown. Realized my mistake, and kept trying to cycle.
7 days ago, I purchased 8 ghost shrimp, sand substrate, live plant and an API freshwater test kit.
After quarantining the shrimp for only 2 days (which I realize now is potentiality a disaster waiting to happen) I've added my substrate, shrimp, and plant in with my betta. I'm watching Bubbles closely for any signs of illness, or signs of ich . I really hope my huge mistake doesn't affect my betta. [emoji27] I'm pretty sure he has eaten 3 of the ghost shrimp already. I can't find them anywhere.
I started to test the water and here are my results. Some feedback on these readings would be great, as I am very new to this.
March 11th -
Temp = 78
PH. = 8
Ammonia = .50ppm
Nitrite = 0
Nitrate = 0
March 12th
Temp = 78 degrees Fahrenheit
Ammonia = .50ppm
Nitrite = 0
It had only been 2 days and somewhere I read changing the water too often could worsen my cycling, so I decided to hold off one more day. Plus I was still learning about how to test.
March 13th
Temp. = 78
Ammonia = .25ppm
Nitrite = 0ppm
Nitrate = 5.0ppm
March 14th
Temp. = 80
PH. = 7.4
Ammonia = 0ppm
Nitrite = 0ppm
Nitrate = 5.0ppm
Today, March 15th
Temple. = 80
PH. Between 7.8 - 8.0
Ammonia = 0 ppm
Nitrite = 0 ppm
Nitrate = 0 ppm.
So. At this point I believe these levels are good? It's a bit confusing. It's great that the ammonia is 0, but losing the nitrates? Is that a bad thing?
What do these readings mean ? Am I still cycling? Has it Cycled?
Also, How soon would disease or illness appear? Should I be worried about Bubbles?
Thanks for all your help and Advice!
(I'll post pics as soon I figure out how! )