What should I expect?

[jlk]

Dose it to 4ppm again and lets see tommorrow. It will keep your amm bacteria happy & hope for the best! A note on the nitrite test-if you put the drops in & it turns purple before you even shake the tube, you have crazy high nitrites!

 

[swimwithme]

I know I'm checking a tad bit early today.

Ammo - between .50 and 1 ppm so I'm gonna say 1ppm
No2 - >5ppm when I add the Nitrite solution, it did not turn purple right away, however, the result is more like a bright almost magenta color
No3 - 40ppm
PH - 7.6

 

[jlk]

How are things looking today? I only read back a few pgs here, but i couldnt figure out how long your nitrites have been crazy high-has it been longer than 2 wks? Have you done any pwcs recently?

 

[swimwithme]

How are things looking today? I only read back a few pgs here, but i couldnt figure out how long your nitrites have been crazy high-has it been longer than 2 wks? Have you done any pwcs recently?

My trites have been really high since 11/2.
The last pwc was on 11/12. Did about 80%.

My test results tonight.
Ammo - 0ppm
No2 - >5ppm (looks closer to the color chart tonight, but still over 5)
No3 - >80ppm (bright red color)
PH - 7.6

 

[jlk]

Ok! It sounds like things are progressing! Weds will be about 2wks since your nitrites jumped & the nitrite phase is the longest...so, i my suggestion would be more wcs. My tank stalled on the nitrite phase and the solution was to do wcs until i got my nitrites down to a readable level (2ppm) which took 3 wcs down to the gravel (one after another-ugh!) then a few more over the next several days. From the day i got my nitrites readable, it took 9 days for my tank to completely cycle. I cant guarentee the same thing will work for you because everyones water is different, but its worth a try. The day i did all the wcs to get my nitrites readable, i only dosed the amm to 2ppm for the next 3 days to keep the nitrites from getting crazy again & then went back up to 4ppm on the 4th day. And kept up with the wcs any time the nitrites got crazy. Just a my suggestion on what worked for me! Keep us posted!

 

[swimwithme]

I think I'm going to have to get one of thos

 

[swimwithme]

I think I'm going to have to get one of those pythons for my pwc!!! Ugh, lugging that 5 gallon bucket kills my back.

 

[jlk]

Dont remind me....i didnt have one when i did this either (for a 50gal)! I was practically in tears after 6hrs of lugging buckets & considering giving up BUT it worked!!! Im now trying to figure out an easier system for quicker wcs than a python (actually tried a big shop vac last wknd to some degree of success). Still working on this though...

 

[swimwithme]

Unfortunately, I don't have 6 hrs to do wc's. I have a 9 month old who requires alot of attention.

 

[jlk]

She is adorable!!! I have a 2yr old so i understand!! Makes anything with fish a bit more difficult... Anyway, heres a quick idea i started using to try & figure out how much water i needed to change when my nitrites went crazy. I started with 50%-only fill test tube up half way & fill the other half with tap (so you have a proper amount to test). Check your nitrites & see what a 50% pwc will do. Then fill with 25% with tank water & 75% tap & check nitrites. Then 10% tank, 90% tap & check nitrites. If you still cant get a readable number, then you have alot wcs ahead of you! Hope this helps!

 

[swimwithme]

She is adorable!!! I have a 2yr old so i understand!! Makes anything with fish a bit more difficult... Anyway, heres a quick idea i started using to try & figure out how much water i needed to change when my nitrites went crazy. I started with 50%-only fill test tube up half way & fill the other half with tap (so you have a proper amount to test). Check your nitrites & see what a 50% pwc will do. Then fill with 25% with tank water & 75% tap & check nitrites. Then 10% tank, 90% tap & check nitrites. If you still cant get a readable number, then you have alot wcs ahead of you! Hope this helps!

Thank you. She is time consuming, but well worth it!

That is a good idea. I never thought about doing trite tests that way. I'll have to try that. I'm going to see what my results are tonight, but may be in for wc's tonight....ughhh! I don 't really see it going in the other direction where magically it changed. But stranger things have happened! LOL

 

[swimwithme]

Today's results:
Ammo - 1ppm
No2 - >5ppm
No3 - >80ppm
PH - 7.4

Did an 80% PWC
Retested No2 - .50ppm

I added 8ml ammo back to water

I guess we'll see how high the trites are tomorrow.

 

[jlk]

Good job!!! Lets see if theres any improvment tommorrow!!

 

[swimwithme]

Good job!!! Lets see if theres any improvment tommorrow!!

By the way, I didn't order a python, but I did order a Aqueon Water Changer.
Lifting those 5 gallon buckets has about killed my back.

 

[jlk]

Your back will thank you!

 

[swimwithme]

Yay, I think!

Tonight's results.
Ammo - 1ppm
No2 - 2ppm
No3 - 30ppm

I guess that 80% pwc helped out!

 

[jlk]

There you go!!!! Thats a def improvement!!

 

[swimwithme]

11/17
Ammo - 1ppm
No2 - 2ppm
No3 - 30ppm
PH - 7.6

11/18
Ammo - 2ppm
No2 - .50ppm
No3 - 40ppm

11/19
Ammo - .50ppm
No2 - .50ppm
No3 - 40ppm
PH - 7.6

11/20 - skipped

11/21
Ammo - 0ppm
No2 - .25ppm
No3 - between 40 & 80ppm
PH - around 7
Did 50% pwc
PH - back up to 7.6

 

[jlk]

It sounds like your almost there!!!! Watch for that nitrite test to turn baby blue (and stay that way!!) and it will be time for a celebration!!!

 

[swimwithme]

Happy Thansgiving!

Now down to the nitty gritty...

I skipped testing on 11/22

11/23
Ammo - .50ppm
No2 - .25ppm
No3 - 40ppm
PH - 7.6

11/24
Ammo - between 1 & 2ppm
No2 - 0ppm
No3 - 30ppm

How come I'm still showing ammo? Shouldn't this be going down instead of up? And should I add ammo today or wait until tomorrow?