Quote:
Originally Posted by Fishie-Fingers
Hey FL,
I`m not really sure how its going to be honest, I thought I had the nitrification process sorted in my head, thanks to your advice and those links you sent me, but I`m unsure if I`m doing things right, cos my results seem different to what i`ve read on fichless cycling.
Anywho, the ammonia has leveled out at 0ppm, the nitrite is still off the scale, showing up purple when I test. i did do a 30% water change on monday, thats a week on from when I set up, to bring the nitrate reading down. I`ve been adding in a little fish food, but the ammonia seems to be sticking at 0ppm, I`m worried that I may not be putting enough in for the next bacteria to grow that changes the nitrite to the nitrate, I know they need some ammonia to continue that process.
I`m so confused.com! Am I doin the right things?, or would it be a good idea to try and chat up some of the fellas at my lfs and blag some bacteria rich media they have in their filters!!
Ps, loved your pic, its a great idea of tashas` to get faces to names! I reckon you have a striking resemblence to daniel beddingfield!!! can you warble like him too!!! LOL x
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It's okay for the ammonia reading to be zero, that means the ammonia consuming bacteria are alive and well and getting the nourishment they need from the fish food lol!
It's also perfectly normal for your nitrite reading to be off the charts (purple).
I wouldnt worry about nitrates too much.
If i was you now, i would stop with fish food, add one large frozen prawn or a few small value prawns, then test every day or other day is fine, you could just test for nitrite if you want.
Once Nitrite gets very close to zero, (i.e. slightly dark blue on your strips) you are almost good to go. This could take anything from 1-7 days now i think.
When nitrite is 0.25 or below, take the prawn out and test for ammonia too, which should be 0 or 0.25 max.
If nitrite is 0.25 or below and ammonia 0.25 or below, me personally, i would be satisfied with doing a 75% water change (treated tapwater, taking out chlorine and/or chloramine), then on the same day, i would add a few small fish and keep testing!!!!
Keep up the good work!
Daniel Beddingfield lol, thats a new one!!!!
Have you put your picture up yet?