Hi,
I am trying to set up my first tank and in the process of fishless cycling. but It has been 10 days already and my nitrites are no where to be found. Here are my tank set up and some testings:
40 gal tank filled with RO water, 5" of ADA substrates, sponge filter + UGF. Ammonia has been around 4ppm. I added ammonia bought from ACE hardware(pure, doesnt foam when shaked)
Temp: 82
Ph: 5.4
Ammonia 4.00
Nitrite:0
I suspect my ph is the problem. Its too low. I tried adding ph up but it doesnt help. It went back down the next day. I did some researched and found that at ph below 6, ammonia becomes ammonium -->. No food for nitrifying bacteria --> no nitrite so far. So my question is what should i do to temporarily raise ph to 7? Add more ph up ? Add coral crust? Water change?
Please please dont tell me to take the substrate out T_T
I am trying to set up my first tank and in the process of fishless cycling. but It has been 10 days already and my nitrites are no where to be found. Here are my tank set up and some testings:
40 gal tank filled with RO water, 5" of ADA substrates, sponge filter + UGF. Ammonia has been around 4ppm. I added ammonia bought from ACE hardware(pure, doesnt foam when shaked)
Temp: 82
Ph: 5.4
Ammonia 4.00
Nitrite:0
I suspect my ph is the problem. Its too low. I tried adding ph up but it doesnt help. It went back down the next day. I did some researched and found that at ph below 6, ammonia becomes ammonium -->. No food for nitrifying bacteria --> no nitrite so far. So my question is what should i do to temporarily raise ph to 7? Add more ph up ? Add coral crust? Water change?
Please please dont tell me to take the substrate out T_T