Smudgeboss
Aquarium Advice Apprentice
I started out trying to do a fishless cycle with household ammonia in RO water and Hagen "Cycle." One month later NH3 was at the same level with very little indication of NO3 (test water was barely pink, indicating 0 ppm on the color chart).
The lfs guy tells me that treated tap water is better than RO water, as it isn't so pure. He also tells me that he believes that the bacteria comes from fish poop so put fish in.
So that's what I do. I drained my tank and filled it with treated water (10 gal tank). I put in three (a moderate number) of Gold Skirt Tetras.
We are now over three weeks later. In the morning the NH3 is at 1 so I do a 2 gal pwc. In the evening the NH3 is at 1 so I do a 2 gal pwc. In the morning . . .
NO3 is at 0 ppm.
Am I too impatient?
There is no algae growth in our tank in all this time either. Is it possible there is something in the tank that is killing off the bacteria and algae? All the gravel, plastic choral, plastic plants and plastic wood is intended for aquarium use.
Any suggestions about what I should do?
Thanks
The lfs guy tells me that treated tap water is better than RO water, as it isn't so pure. He also tells me that he believes that the bacteria comes from fish poop so put fish in.
So that's what I do. I drained my tank and filled it with treated water (10 gal tank). I put in three (a moderate number) of Gold Skirt Tetras.
We are now over three weeks later. In the morning the NH3 is at 1 so I do a 2 gal pwc. In the evening the NH3 is at 1 so I do a 2 gal pwc. In the morning . . .
NO3 is at 0 ppm.
Am I too impatient?
There is no algae growth in our tank in all this time either. Is it possible there is something in the tank that is killing off the bacteria and algae? All the gravel, plastic choral, plastic plants and plastic wood is intended for aquarium use.
Any suggestions about what I should do?
Thanks