Recent content by xrP8

I'm going to try to force myself to get some sleep now. I truly appreciated all your help! Unless you suggest otherwise, this is my plan of action: Tomorrow, I will buy crushed coral. I'll let it run in my filter until next Wednesday to give it time to work on my pH levels(and also because my...

The carbon is actually included inside the replaceable filter cartridge. Thru researching about cycling, I've found that its suggested I don't replace those, but instead rinse them in a dish of my aquarium's water and place it back inside the filter box. Says this helps keep bb plentiful. I have...

Correction...last week was only about a 50% change

Hi, and thanks for your input...no, I did not do a large water change immediately before adding the fish. I had done a 90% change about a week ago and added fish a couple days ago. After losing three of the four rosy barbs, I did another change, this time including Prime And Stability...was...

There's carbon in the filter cartridge...is that the same as activated carbon? We have no water softener

OK, I'll get some crushed coral, because the pH is pretty close to 6ppm. Chemical? How so? If that's a possibility, should I seriously drain my aquarium and start over?

No, but I definitely will next time. That is, if I can make myself brave enough to try again. What do you suggest to raise my pH? It has been in the lower normal range since I began and I know many fish I'd like to stock eventually would prefer it a little higher. Again, I can't thank you...

First...THANK YOU! :) OK, to acclimate, I floated the bag for 30 minutes, then took about half the water out and slowly added some from my tank into the bag. Probably didn't take as much care there as I could've because the water exchange only took me about 15 minutes. Yes, this test was...

I'm begging...someone please help. I posted a month ago as a new user but got no feedback. I'm truly begging now. Short version: 14 weeks into cycle...added tons of rocks and decorations from a fully established tank about halfway in. I've never seen even a hint of nitrite reading. 45 gal...

I'm glad to see I'm not the only one who is being tortured for so long! I'm working on that whole "patience" thing! ;) You're right tho...it'll be worth it!

Are you kidding me!?! Nitrites in mere days? I'm so jealous! Lol. I'm beginning to forget when I started this cycle! Congrats and good luck!

Hi guys...first-time cycler here and actually over ten weeks into it! Ammonia levels are finally starting to thin a bit on their own, but I've still only had that pretty light blue test tube telling me zero nitrites. I'm mega confused tho, because with all the extras I've added to the...

Here's my fishy background :D I had a few small goldfish tanks growing up. Always thought the object was to keep a fresh filter with adequate carbon to keep ammonia levels down. Several years ago I attempted my first aquarium as an adult. A friend was downsizing his cichlid tank, and I got...