new and in need

[fishandplants]

I'm new to the hobby, and the site, but I've already read a lot of good advice here. I got my 1st 10 gallon for x-mas...here is comes..sorry....and am cycling fish-in. What a way to make new friends here! My 3 hearty and courageous platys and 1 guppy girl are well. I do need some advice please! I was almost cycled, Ammonia 0, nitrites minimal, and nitrates 30, and suddenly experienced a pH plummet??? I did not forget to declorinate, or change anything about the new routines, I did add an anacharis plant 3 days ago. I fear that I have somehow killed my hard earned bacterial colonies, as I now have ammonia spiking 4, nirites .25, and almost no nitrates reading. (API master kit). I immediatly did a 30PWC, ( I've been doing them every 2-3 days since the begining). I know it's slowing the cycling, but it makes me feel more humane. Any thoughts on why the pH drop (from 6.8 to 6), or any course of action?

 

[Hholly]

You should be doing some more water changes. 50% at a time is fine. If you don't have enough buffers in the water, the pH can crash like that. Water changes replace buffers. A small amount of crushed coral or aragonite in a mesh bag in your filter can help maintain pH.
Here's a few good articles for you.
http://www.aquariumadvice.com/guide-to-starting-a-freshwater-aquarium/

http://www.aquariumadvice.com/fishin-cycling-step-dark-side/

 

[jetajockey]

Welcome to the forum!

 

[Andrew McFadden]

to AA! We hope ya enjoy

 

[Corithien]

My best advice is to get the filter up and running properly find a local friend with a tank then get him to clean his filter in a small amount of water from the tank not tap or de chlorinated so you have nasty brown water take that to your tank within 4 hrs of washing the filter and you will be set up with live bacteria its an old trick for showing discus so sould do the trick

 

[fishandplants]

Thanks to everyone, I do know one Oscar owner, perhaps I'll hit him up.