Kraevan
Aquarium Advice Apprentice
I recently bought a 6.2g Imagitarium all-in-one setup for my daughter, (I'll be doing the maintenance on it). Pics and specs on my profile, and a little history in my intro thread here: http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f59/come-by-and-say-hello-347481.html
The stock filter cartridges seemed REALLY weak, so I replaced them with better and more filter media. I figured overkill vs underkill when such a small amount of waste puts water parameters into the danger zone in such a small tank.
I started a fishless cycle in the tank on 3/10, following "The (almost) Complete Guide and FAQ to Fishless Cycling." I bought ACE Hardware ammonium and have been dosing the tank to 4ppm whenever it gets down to 1ppm. I did the math and it only takes 2 drops of pure ammonium to reach 4ppm in 6.2g of water. When it gets down to 1ppm, I just add another drop and the levels go back up. I test and dose every other day.
For testing, I've been using the Tetra 6 In-One and ammonia strips. I've read that the API Master Kit is more recommended, so I've ordered it and will use it when I run out of strips. Whether accurate or not, the strips have been really consistent for me. Although ~150 tests per type at $30 is more economical than 25 tests per $18.
My readings have been consistent for the last 2.5 weeks as follows:
Nitrate: 0ppm
Nitrite: 0ppm
Hardness: 75ppm
Chlorine: 0ppm
Alkalinity: 80-120ppm (hard to read color)
pH: 7.2
Ammonia: 1-5ppm (depending on dosage)
I also keep the temp at 84F for the bacteria metabolism and have an air stone on max running over the bio media in my filter. I also bought some fish flakes and put a tiny amount of powdered flakes in the tank. I have attempted to follow eco23's guide to the T.
I've never had a nitrite or nitrate reading in my tank and this is where I'm concerned. It's been 2.5 weeks and my ammonia has been consistently decreasing pretty much ever since I started adding it. I purchased two plants from an established Petco Biocube for seeding material when I started my cycle. I know plants consume the same chemicals that BB do, so are my plants consuming the ammonia in the water and leaving nothing for the BB? Do I need to add a higher concentration of ammonia, or am I not being patient enough for the nitrites to appear?
I also know the nitrite>nitrate bacteria don't particularly like ammonia in the water, so did I kill off the secondary bacteria initially attached to the seeding plants with the ammonia I've been using to try and grow the primary bacteria?
I might also add that I have done a 20% water change to restore the pH buffers and keep adding a quart or so of conditioned water whenever the tank needs a top off.
Any help, reassurance, or advice would be much appreciated.
Thank you!
The stock filter cartridges seemed REALLY weak, so I replaced them with better and more filter media. I figured overkill vs underkill when such a small amount of waste puts water parameters into the danger zone in such a small tank.
I started a fishless cycle in the tank on 3/10, following "The (almost) Complete Guide and FAQ to Fishless Cycling." I bought ACE Hardware ammonium and have been dosing the tank to 4ppm whenever it gets down to 1ppm. I did the math and it only takes 2 drops of pure ammonium to reach 4ppm in 6.2g of water. When it gets down to 1ppm, I just add another drop and the levels go back up. I test and dose every other day.
For testing, I've been using the Tetra 6 In-One and ammonia strips. I've read that the API Master Kit is more recommended, so I've ordered it and will use it when I run out of strips. Whether accurate or not, the strips have been really consistent for me. Although ~150 tests per type at $30 is more economical than 25 tests per $18.
My readings have been consistent for the last 2.5 weeks as follows:
Nitrate: 0ppm
Nitrite: 0ppm
Hardness: 75ppm
Chlorine: 0ppm
Alkalinity: 80-120ppm (hard to read color)
pH: 7.2
Ammonia: 1-5ppm (depending on dosage)
I also keep the temp at 84F for the bacteria metabolism and have an air stone on max running over the bio media in my filter. I also bought some fish flakes and put a tiny amount of powdered flakes in the tank. I have attempted to follow eco23's guide to the T.
I've never had a nitrite or nitrate reading in my tank and this is where I'm concerned. It's been 2.5 weeks and my ammonia has been consistently decreasing pretty much ever since I started adding it. I purchased two plants from an established Petco Biocube for seeding material when I started my cycle. I know plants consume the same chemicals that BB do, so are my plants consuming the ammonia in the water and leaving nothing for the BB? Do I need to add a higher concentration of ammonia, or am I not being patient enough for the nitrites to appear?
I also know the nitrite>nitrate bacteria don't particularly like ammonia in the water, so did I kill off the secondary bacteria initially attached to the seeding plants with the ammonia I've been using to try and grow the primary bacteria?
I might also add that I have done a 20% water change to restore the pH buffers and keep adding a quart or so of conditioned water whenever the tank needs a top off.
Any help, reassurance, or advice would be much appreciated.
Thank you!
