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Hi everyone,

I'm having some issues with my 50 gallon tank. It has been operating for approx 2 months and it seems that it hasnt even started cycling yet.
I have been testing it regularly since it was first set up and I have consistantly got the same results as below:
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 0-5
Also, the PH is at 7.6. I have done a couple of small water changes in that time (I was having a problem with cloudy water which has since cleared up), and the PH of the tap water is 7.2. After the last water change the Ph dropped to about 7.4 - 7.5 but has since risen again to 7.6.
I tested the water hardness today and got the results as follows:
GH - 80 mg/l (Which according to my test kit is "slightly hard" )
KH - 40 mg/l (Which, according to my test kit is "normally associated with low PH" )
I am trying to reach a stable PH of anywhere between 7.0 - 7.4.
I do have PH Down which I could use, however I have read that the hardness of the water can affect the PH and thought that maybe I should try to get that right first.
Does anyone have any ideas?
Any help is appreciated

Thanks
Jen


Last edited by jenna1981 at 29-Aug-2005 20:27

Last edited by jenna1981 at 29-Aug-2005 20:28

jenna1981

Do you have any plants and starter fish in the tank? If so what is in the tank?

Also are you using any products to start the bacteria going?

Keith

Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do.
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Yes I have fish in the tank as follows:

4 angels
5 red phantom tetras
5 black widow tetras
1 BN Pleco
1 blue two spot gourami

I didnt add all these fish in at once. I have gradually added them over the past couple of months. I started with just 5 black widow tetras, then a couple of weeks later I added the 1 Angel and 1 gourami(taken from my first tank which was FAR to small), then just last week I added the BN pleco and 5 red phantom tetras (1 of which was also taken from my first small tank.)

I didnt add anything to start the bacteria going when I initially set up the tank.

Oh, and also no plants.

Last edited by jenna1981 at 29-Aug-2005 22:01

Last edited by jenna1981 at 29-Aug-2005 22:01

jenna1981

If you can get some Water Sprite it is a floating plant it multiplies very quickly this will help also give your fish some shelter.

I always use Sera Bio starter at every water change this keeps the good bacteria going.

I also use a PH buffer If you live in the eastern surbs of Melbourne I can tell you where to get very reasonable from the maker.


As far as your testing take a sample to your local AQU and get them to do a full test for you. But before you do that do your own test and compare the figures to make sure your figures are correct.

Keith

Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do.
I VOTE DO YOU if not WHY NOT?
VOTE NOW VOTE NOW

Sounds like a good idea.I'm starting to wonder if in fact it is my testing kit that is the problem.
As for living in Melbourne, I'm afraid not. I live in the country and my nearest LFS is over half an hour away in the nearest large town. I will look at using some kind of bio start type product though.
Does anyone have any ideas on the water hardness issue?

Last edited by jenna1981 at 30-Aug-2005 03:21

Last edited by jenna1981 at 30-Aug-2005 03:21

Baking soda will raise your pH and KH. I would suggest adding a very small amount daily until you get the readings to where you want them. There are other products on the market that you can buy from a lfs but they dont really do anything extra compared to baking soda.

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