Help!!!

[Marx]

I took my readings today!!!

temp 78
Ammonia .6 now 3ppm...
Nitrite falling from 3.3 to .8
Nitrate 110!

PH off the charts!!! dark blue/purple on high and low test kit..

is that normal??

No wonder my plants are taking the beats..

[DARKPHREAK]

I'd go buy some better test kits if I were you.

[Marx]

My tank is still cycling...

the test kits are fine...

I tried 2 different sets!!!!

Im looking at 10+ ph...

[Marx]

im such a loser...

I test my ph again and its sitting around 7.6-7.8..

because i added ammonia to tank before i test ph lol...

ammonia ph is 10-12 let ammonia get eaten and i'll probably have 7.2-7.4 ph...

Feeeeewwwwwwwwwww

[luvfishies]

Yep, the ammonia is probably causing the pH spike, nothing to worry about, as you've found out

[Marx]

also I noticed my water is not to clear anymore.. Not cloudy either but lots of particles? alsmost like dust in the tank..

make the water look murky... and i never added anything but plants? i think its the crypts melting lol..

just wonderng what you all think??

[Marx]

well it looks like floating brown  wood dust.. and the particles even sit on some plant leafs.. and on the driftwood?? any thoughts??

[Marx]

is that diatoms Algae?? and will it go away when i add.. Ottos and SAE's?

[Marx]

also i read lots about diatoms.. its says caused by leeching silica... could the sand bought at Mermaid pool be contributing?

Anyone else have that problem?

[artw]

well
hehe
I wouldn't worry about the sand thats a red herring.
brown algae isn't necesarrily diatoms or is necessarily caused by silica (google it and do some research)
brown algae can be a good indicator that your cycle is complete or nearly complete (IME)
and you dont need to spend time worrying about particles in your water or dust on your plants or a bit of brown algae on your glass.  spend your time researching and getting your water chemistry and biological cycle down pat.

[Marx]

Ahh sweet.. so when i do my water change i'll suck it all up lol...

[artw]

honestly I'd be hesitant to do waterchanges either until its done.  when/if i cycle tanks I just let them go for a month an dif fish start dying I'll test and/or do waterchanges

[Marx]

my nitrates or over 110ppm lol..

[Marx]

ok i tested my water before i added ammonia today..

Sept 14
PH 6.0 or below (dam)
ammonia was 0 added 3ppm
nitrite .8ppm
nitrate 40ppm
Temp 78..

should i take out all my wood??

[Marx]

Anyone?? Should i pull some driftwood??

[aidensmomma2000]

I wouldnt pull your drift wood, its not hurting anybody  :wink:

[Marx]

my PH is to low for fish?? ain't it??

also when i add fish does ph go up cause of the fishies pee??

or should i add some crushed coral? or limestone rocks?

[aidensmomma2000]

Depends on what type of fish your keeping, neons and angels like 6.5-7, I keep my discus at 6, my malawi tank at 8.

What are you keeping?

I cant stress enough that a STABLE ph is most important- if youre going to alter it do it gradually.

If you drop/raise ph suddenly you are likely to experience fish loss, if not that then definatly stress them out, which is always bad.  And I dont mean even over a day or two, and most of those buffers are temporary and do more damage because of the rise/drops they cause.

Again, depending on what youre keeping, you might be fine.

[Marx]

well my ph is under 6.. i have no fish in the tank its still cycling..

nitrites are falling..  so im at the later end of cycle.. I'll add some limestone or something...

But i must tell you that this driftwood kicks a$$ at lowering PH lol.. since my tap water is 7.6-7.8 after 2 days of sitting..

but 1 concern is when i add fish doesn't that effect ph.. they deplete oxygen so doesn't that drop ph more? yet my plants are in there absorbing the Co2.. i thought they would stablize the ph by adding O2 to system..

and what about fishies pee and poo? does that effect ph as well??

[zapisto]

Let me tell you something i learn with years.

you are make yourself sick too much with this PH stuff.
keep it simple and  the fish will tell you.


i have some tank with PH lower as 4.2 (mesured with 2 different PHmeter Electronic because at the beginning i cant believe) with Fish in it who breed

so dont worry too much with all this stuff.
Give your tank time to cycle well , add your plant ASAP and when everything is ready add your fish slowly 2 or 3 at a time and everything willl be ok

ONE THINGS : BE PATIENT
that's it