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How many water changes do you do and how ofter. Do you syphone all wastes. How clean do you keep your filter? How do you clean your filter? Do you add anything to your water like ammo lock or any type of ammmonia reducer?

If your tank has cycled, then your ammonia and nitrite should be ~0 and only show some nitrate. pH is irrelevent...whats your nitrate level?

[span class="edited"][Edited by sly 2004-07-10 10:22][/span]

Your tank hasn't even begun to cycle.


Can you explain that to me please? Is it something I've done wrong?

Your tank hasn't even begun to cycle.

Ok, I called my lfs today to see if they sold NitrAte testing kits. The girl who talked to me remembered me from yesterday, and told me they tested my water for NitrAtes and that it was at 0. HOwever, my Ammonia and NitrITes are ALSO at 0. HOw is this possible? I did discover I had 3 large pieces of limestone in my tank, which I removed yesterday. (bought the tank from a garage sale, and didn't k now what the rocks were...bad!!) Could this have affected the ph and the test results? So I guess if I have no NitrAte levels, my tank is NOT cycled...

High pH can be dangerous during the cycle, because ammonia is more lethal at a high pH.

Welcome to FP. (Yay ! Another Canuck !)

I compared a liquid and strip Nitrate test kit for price and accuracy.

Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Nitrate - $13.79 w/tax (90 tests)
Jungle - Quick Dip Nitrite/Nitrate test strips (25 tests) 27.59 w/tax Big Als

Both test results were equal. Some members suggested my strips were inaccurate. The Jungle Strips are good... But look at the price diff.. Twice the price for 1/4 of the tests, what a rip.. The liquid test only takes a moment longer.

The members here recommended regular nitrate tests so I could determine my water change schedule.. I swear by these tests now.. It's the only one I do regularly. Speaking of which, I have water changes to do this weekend darnit !



[span class="edited"][Edited by DaFishMan 2004-07-11 15:12][/span]

The Amazon Nut...

Hey FG - welcpme to FP. I too live in a high PH area. PH has nothing to do with your cycle. I would guess you are doing just fine.
I tried to lower my PH when I first started but it's a lot of bother for nothing. The PH just kept bouncing back up. Your fish will adjust to the PH levels as long as you don't shock them. Proper acclimizing is necessary. Also chances are you LFS has the same PH as you do anyway if you're on the same water system.
How big does a Siamese Doll get? I've never heard of one. Consider the mature size before you decide on the Gourami.
Also if you are really concerned about the PH driftwood will bring it down some.

Its events like these that make me very grateful i have a knowledgable LFS that gives customers accurate information and help 95% of the time. PH has nothing to do with the cyce. Find out what your nitrates are at but the tank seems good .

Go see if they have a book stand in the store. Go to the stand and get a fish book and look it up there in the store. Show the guy there in the store that he doesn't know a dimes worth of info.

Your probably cycled. The cycle doesn't change your pH.

Hey fishygirl welcome to the site. I'm still somewhat of a newbie, but as far as I know Ph has nothing to do with the cycle. It is a condition of the water, that needs to be considered when stocking your tank, but does not influence the cycle. Be careful taking advice from the lfs. They don't have all (or sometimes any) of the answers. You can definitely trust the experienced people here though. I've learned a lot by coming here. Good luck