New 60 Gallon (Now 40b) Build!!

[skywhitney]

Are you using some kind of source of ammonia so that your existing BB on the seeded material flourishes instead of just dying off?

Yes indeed. I got some pure ammonia from Ace like people on here have suggested. I'm also using Seachem Stability.

 

[Donkey Gun]

sweeeeeetness... How are your levels coming along?

 

[skywhitney]

sweeeeeetness... How are your levels coming along?

These are my numbers after I dosed the ammonia last night before I went to bed.

PH - 7.6
Ammo - 0
NitrItes - 0
NitrAtes - 3-5 range (very very slightly orange)

so far so good!

 

[George9]

These are my numbers after I dosed the ammonia last night before I went to bed.

PH - 7.6
Ammo - 0
NitrItes - 0
NitrAtes - 3-5 range (very very slightly orange)

so far so good!

Your ammonia converted to 0 already!?!?

 

[skywhitney]

Your ammonia converted to 0 already!?!?

Yep, but....i'm not 100% i dosed it all the way up to 4ppm, as it was late and i was tired, so it has the potential to be a false positive.

 

[George9]

Yep, but....i'm not 100% i dosed it all the way up to 4ppm, as it was late and i was tired, so it has the potential to be a false positive.

But that's still really good. Did you use seeded media?

 

[skywhitney]

But that's still really good. Did you use seeded media?

A little, maybe the Stability actually works

 

[George9]

A little, maybe the Stability actually works

That's amazing lol when did you start the cycle? Just yesterday?

 

[skywhitney]

That's amazing lol when did you start the cycle? Just yesterday?

Lol I wish! I started it on January 26th.

 

[George9]

Lol I wish! I started it on January 26th.

Man, but thats one fast cycle. Have you had nitrites at all?

 

[skywhitney]

Man, but thats one fast cycle. Have you had nitrites at all?

I had a small spike about 3 days ago but thats it.

 

[skywhitney]

I'm debating whether or not to put my Corys and pleco in the tank....the stability says that you can start putting fish in almost right away but im still kinda torn.

 

[George9]

I'd wait a few more days to see if it keeps reading 0 ammo 0 nitrite 24 hrs after ammonia is added.

 

[skywhitney]

I'd wait a few more days to see if it keeps reading 0 ammo 0 nitrite 24 hrs after ammonia is added.

Thats what i was leaning towards also

 

[skywhitney]

Last night I found a ton of hair and green spot algea starting to grow in the tank. What would cause this outbreak all of a sudden?

 

[Donkey Gun]

I believe overdosed iron will cause a hair Algea out break, but here's a great guide I use for my issues!

http://www.aquahobby.com/articles/e_freshwater_algae.php

 

[skywhitney]

I believe overdosed iron will cause a hair Algea out break, but here's a great guide I use for my issues!

http://www.aquahobby.com/articles/e_freshwater_algae.php

Thanks! That's an awesome resource!

 

[skywhitney]

So because my numbers were looking good I decided to finish out the cycle with some fish in. I now have my Cory's and Clown Pleco in there and so far they are loving it! I've been watching them closely and so far none of them have been showing any signs of stress. I'll be watching them and my numbers really close until I know that the tank has finished cycling though.

 

[Donkey Gun]

Nice! seems like a good start.

 

[Donkey Gun]

I would expect to see a little amm buildup while your bb adjusts to the new bioload.

But, like you said, just keep an eye on those levels and pwc.