squishyaimz
Aquarium Advice Apprentice
Hello everyone - Ive just created an account and am VERY new to everything including cycling, so im very sorry in advance for basic, silly questions.
I have done A LOT of research already so Im not just jumping in blindly and stupidly , its just Im a bit stuck..
Ill try to include as much info as I can to begin with and ive read a lot of posts on here already, everyone seems nice so hopefully I wont get hate!
Ive started an axolotl tank - it has been cycling for 7 days now.
Using API test kit.
Im not using a heater to boost but my tank is roughly 22 degrees C. (I know axies need a low temp, ill cool it when I add them in)
It was a second hand tank and think it already had some nitrites as my nitrites were already high on day 1.
My ph is a stable 8.2
Ammonia has been at 4ppm for 4 days (couldnt get pure ammonia until a few days in)
Nitrites at 5 for 4 days.
Nitrates at 80 for 4 days.
I posted on a FB group for axies, and someone mentioned I should do a water change (this was also recommended in the group info files).
I did a 50% change and tested again and my ammonia looks like its gone to 2ppm (makes sense) but my nitrates still look to be at 80.. it MIGHT be 40 but the colours are so similiar.
Nitrites have possibly gone to 2 but once again hard to tell...
Trouble is the nitrates in my tap water are already at 20!
Im really stuck on where to go from here.
Was it right to water change? should I still dose up my ammonia, even if im unsure if it is 2ppm?
How am i supposed to bring my nitrates down when my water is already at 20ppm.
Im sorry for the long post - I bet ive missed something but any help would be appreciated. Thank you!
I have done A LOT of research already so Im not just jumping in blindly and stupidly , its just Im a bit stuck..
Ill try to include as much info as I can to begin with and ive read a lot of posts on here already, everyone seems nice so hopefully I wont get hate!
Ive started an axolotl tank - it has been cycling for 7 days now.
Using API test kit.
Im not using a heater to boost but my tank is roughly 22 degrees C. (I know axies need a low temp, ill cool it when I add them in)
It was a second hand tank and think it already had some nitrites as my nitrites were already high on day 1.
My ph is a stable 8.2
Ammonia has been at 4ppm for 4 days (couldnt get pure ammonia until a few days in)
Nitrites at 5 for 4 days.
Nitrates at 80 for 4 days.
I posted on a FB group for axies, and someone mentioned I should do a water change (this was also recommended in the group info files).
I did a 50% change and tested again and my ammonia looks like its gone to 2ppm (makes sense) but my nitrates still look to be at 80.. it MIGHT be 40 but the colours are so similiar.
Nitrites have possibly gone to 2 but once again hard to tell...
Trouble is the nitrates in my tap water are already at 20!
Im really stuck on where to go from here.
Was it right to water change? should I still dose up my ammonia, even if im unsure if it is 2ppm?
How am i supposed to bring my nitrates down when my water is already at 20ppm.
Im sorry for the long post - I bet ive missed something but any help would be appreciated. Thank you!
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