Cycling question

[petitemonk]

I am on my first day of cycling, the lady at the fish store gave me 4 rosy barbs... I have a 30 gallon tank... I was wondering what I should expect number wise from the water tests... ATM its at:

PH: 7.6
Ammonia: 0-0.25
Nitite: 0
Nitrate: 10-20

I was wondering if these numbers were around normal for a first day of cycle.

 

[chasgood]

Nitrate is higher than normal for a new tank but nothing to really worry about.
Cycling time is different for everybody.
First Ammonia will creep up over the next few weeks. If it goes over 4.0ppm do a partial water change.
When Ammonia starts going down you will see nitrites go up. This will peak and go back down slower. If nitrites goes over 5.0ppm do a partial water change.
Once the nitrite eating bacteria are established nitrates start building up. When nitrates go over 40.0ppm do a partial water change.
Water changes above are in addition to the normal weekly 10 to 15 percent changes.
All in all it will take 4 to 7 weeks. No adding fish till this is complete.

Here is a web page about cycling. Has a nice chart. http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Ranch/1053/html/cycling.htm

 

[petitemonk]

Is my pH ok? or should I lower it?... And how exactly would you lower the pH

 

[Fishboy-from-NY]

if it's freshwater only not brackish, then yes try to keep PH at 6.9

 

[fisch]

PH isnt really that big of a deal as long as its fairly stable. After you are done with your cycle and still fell the necesity there are natural ways to lower your PH.

 

[petitemonk]

Ah ok cool, thx guys.

 

[cginflorida]

My pH is 7.6 also, and none of my fish have ever had a problem with it. I think driftwood lowers pH if you really think it's necessary. Probably depends on the fish you plan on getting. Just don't use chemicals to lower pH. That's a temporary measure, you have to keep doing it, and just makes things more difficult and unstable.

 

[kmlong]

yes i agree, whatever you do, don't use any chemicals to alter anything in your tank. You;ll make it worse!! My tank took 12 weeks to start cycling. Don't know what i did or what happened to make it take so long but i decided to buy a biowheel and after 3-4 days my cycle started. I'm on nitrite phase right now. i would highly suggest a biowheel in addition to your power filter, although it is not necessary.