punkrockviolet5

For my Betta & Platties, what are the correct water testing levels?* I just tested my new 10 gal. tank's water & I have 8.0 PH, 0 Ammonia, 1. Nitrites, .50 Nitrates.* What can I do to get everything stabilized & to the proper levels?* I just added the gravel, plastic plants and Roman Wreckage Bubbler (not on yet) today.* No fish 'installed' yet but I did hook up the heater & turn it on.* I was trying to 'Cycle' the tank with Tropical Fish Flakes but they STINK!!* My next step is to add some plants from their existing tank or a sponge that has the old tank gunk on it... will this help balance things??* Thanks!!*

sgould

You have to keep adding ammonia to keep your cycle progressing at this point. Your test results over time should show ammonia going up for a period of several days to 2 weeks, followed by nitrites beginning to spike up while the ammonia begins to decline to 0. Finally, nitrites will also begin to decline to 0 while nitrates show readings. The total process normally takes 4-6 weeks, but can take longer. If, at any point in that cycle, you stop feeding the process, the bacteria you are growing will die off and you will have to start over. If you are finding using flakes to cycle disagreeable, trying looking at a hardware store for a bottle of pure ammonia (no additives!) and use that. Whichever method you want to use though, you need to begin again right away...the longer you wait to get an ammonia source back in the tank, the farther backwards in the process you will be!

punkrockviolet5

I'm taking my tank home tonight from work. I will restart the process tonight. I'm realizing this is WAY more time consuming than I anticipated and need to devote a couple of hrs. per week to the care of, not only the fish, but the tank & its water, as well. Hubby is exited. He loves fish, too, and loves the scene I put in the tank! He & I rearranged our entire living room last night getting space ready for the new tank. I can't wait!!