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I tested the water in my new tank today which is day 5 since set up. Here are the readings:

Ammonia: 0-0.6 mg/L
Nitrite: <0.1mg/L
Nitrate: <5 mg/L
pH: 8.0-8.2
GH: approx. 16.8
KH: approx. 120 mg/L
Temp: 75

I have interpreted the nitrogen cycle readings all to be about zero. I would have expected a higher reading of ammonia because I put some flake food in the tank to initiate the nitrogen cycle. I also used some of the additive Cycle to the tank to help the nitrogen cycle. Could my tank be done with any cycling until I add fish? Is it possible that the rocks in the tank have absorbed any ammonia not allowing the tank to cycle?

As far as the other readings, I used my tap water and conditioned it with AmQuel and NovAqua. Are these the readings that pH and hardness will be at as long as I use my tap water? I ask this because the fish I want the most are German Blue Rams, but these water parameters are not in their recommended range. Would I be saving myself alot of trouble just stocking the tank with African cichlids? I would much rather use tap water and not have to get any other expensive additives. If there are some inexpensive solutions please let me know.

Thanks for any ideas or tips.

As it's only been 5 days it's not possible for the tank to have cycled in that time. The bacteria you need generally takes 3 weeks + to fully develop.
Have you been adding the flake food daily? Amquel may be giving you false readings. I'd continue to test for a bit longer, and of course stock slowly with hardy fish first.

As for the fish you wish to keep. I'd prefer to see you stock with fish that match your water readings. Not because its the easy way to keep fish, but it's the easy way to keep your fish happy. PH altering chemicals dont work. You'd have to naturally lower it (which can be done) but keep in mind that PH fluctuations are generally some of the most stressful conditions you can put a fish thru.
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JJshiv

At the moment get one job done properly first which is "cycling"

At the moment I am cycling a 45Lt 11GUS.
This is bacially what I have done.
After adding the extremly well washed Substrate and DW, I added the prepared water (sitting one week) in this water was a Dechlorinator, Stress coat, & a PH adjuster. I also added a measured amount of Sera Bio starter. After adding the water & it was the correct temperature I put in 6 Zebra Danio, with a lot of Floating Water Sprite.

Each day for the next 10 days I will be adding a measured amount of the Biostarter. The Dainos will be fed sparingly every second day.

I will be doing a 20% prepared water change weekly as well, and in about four weeks time in go my selection of fish.
All the plants will be going in after the second week.

This might seem a long way to go about this but I want to be perfectly sure every thing is right before I add my fish.

The Danios will be going into the 5ft tank

While all this is happening it will give you time to do some research on your fish with will be happy in your tank

Keith

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