Hiya,
A week ago I filled up my second hand 600 ltr tank (been a 17yr long ambition of mine to get one ) with sand, artifical plants and water.
The sand has been used in the tank before, but I did wash it through a bit in order to remove as much of the much as possible.
Its been a week since I started the tank running (Ive had the heaters on as well) and I took my first readings with the master test kit.
Ammonia = 0
Nitrite = 0 ppm
Nitrate = 10 ppm
Ive read that the tank is ready for a few fish at this point. Although... Im sceptical and would like some much needed advice. (I want to get this right for the fish).
As I understand the cycle.
1) Ammonia levels increase to a peak.
2) Nitrite levels increase to a peak as the Ammonia drops.
3) Nitrite levels drop and Nitrate increases a bit.
4) Introduce a few fish depends on tank size / filtration etc.
Do I need to wait until the Nitrate shows at 0ppm?
Any advice welcomed and I thank you in advance
EDIT: I should perhaps point out some other info.
1) Tank is tropical 27 deg c
2) Filtration comes from 2 x Ehiems. 1 x 1000 ltr canister and 1 x 300 ltr thermo canister.
3) Sand had slightly decaying organic matter in it (tank waste) from the previous tank.
A week ago I filled up my second hand 600 ltr tank (been a 17yr long ambition of mine to get one ) with sand, artifical plants and water.
The sand has been used in the tank before, but I did wash it through a bit in order to remove as much of the much as possible.
Its been a week since I started the tank running (Ive had the heaters on as well) and I took my first readings with the master test kit.
Ammonia = 0
Nitrite = 0 ppm
Nitrate = 10 ppm
Ive read that the tank is ready for a few fish at this point. Although... Im sceptical and would like some much needed advice. (I want to get this right for the fish).
As I understand the cycle.
1) Ammonia levels increase to a peak.
2) Nitrite levels increase to a peak as the Ammonia drops.
3) Nitrite levels drop and Nitrate increases a bit.
4) Introduce a few fish depends on tank size / filtration etc.
Do I need to wait until the Nitrate shows at 0ppm?
Any advice welcomed and I thank you in advance
EDIT: I should perhaps point out some other info.
1) Tank is tropical 27 deg c
2) Filtration comes from 2 x Ehiems. 1 x 1000 ltr canister and 1 x 300 ltr thermo canister.
3) Sand had slightly decaying organic matter in it (tank waste) from the previous tank.