a few questions

[JPKeenan]

First off I am cycling a tank for my daughter.
Second I have struggled with ich in a 30g tank.

1> I had the ammonia at 8+ppm in the cycling tank. I changed out water till it was 2-4ppm. I have used filter media from an established tank, as well as some gravel in a net. 3or 4 days and the ammonia level has not changed. Water Parameters are pH 7.6 ammonia 2-4, nitrite 0, nitrate 5.

2> The nitrates in my 30g tank are down to 0. I have two sickly looking plants in there. The ammonia level is down, was hovering around .5ppm with the nitrates at a constant 10. I dosed the tank for ich, last of the three treatments are over and I am running the tank hot (about 84F) to kill off any of the remaining ich.

I know water changes never hurt, and plan on doing another water change on the 30g tank on saturday or sunday. My nitrates out of the tap are usually at 5 or 10. And it should hopefully bring the ammonia down to 0.

Just wanting to know if I killed the cycle effect in the 20g tank. And what is up with the nitrates in the 30g tank dropping to 0.

 

[mgamer20o0]

1 smart move 8+ is way too high shoot for 4-5. it takes time even with filter media. depending on how much bacteria that was added prob 1-3 weeks.

2 plants use nitrate so maybe it was that.

 

[gzeiger]

Dropping nitrate in fresh water can only be growing plants, algae bloom or a bad test kit. One of those has happened.

 

[JPKeenan]

might be the plants liking the temp boost and a bit of a drop in light (time wise). I was sort of shocked cause the one tank has been giving me problems.

I did stir up the gravel when I did the 50%+ drain, trying to kick up any of the ich hiding in the gravel, so far no algae bloom but the plants are looking healthier.