Calab

A while ago I posted about restarting my 10 gallon tank. I had a problem with some sick fish and lost many of them. The survivors are now in temporary 1 gallon "boxes" with sponge filters, sitting on top of a heating mat and doing well.

Anyhow, I've started cycling my 10 gallon tank about a week ago. I checked my readings today (Using an API kit) and this is what I saw...

Ammonia: 1ppm
Nitrate: 5ppm
Nitrite: 2ppm

...Yay! The cycle is happening! I just upped the ammonia to 6ppm again. Hopefully it will drop quickly.

...and as an aside, this is the water readings from my tap (using a test strip):
Ammonia: 0ppm
Nitrate: 0ppm
Nitrite: 0ppm
Hardness (GH): 180
Chlorine: 0.2ppm
pH: 8
Alkalinity (KH): 150

I've currently got the filter full of "scotchbrite" pads to build up some biological filters, as I'm going to have more tanks.

Actually, I scored a 137 gallon tank for free!!! No idea where it's going though, and it's HEAVY!

I'm also picking up a 33 gallon setup today for $60, complete with everything and a stand. Just need the fish to go into it. It will look great in the living room.

Lucy

Congrats on your cycling process!

If you really want to know what your tap water is, use your liquid kit.

Scotchbrite? Aren't they household cleaning pads? I'd stick with stuff made specificlly for fish tanks.

137 gallons for free and a 30g? Nice!!!!!!

Calab

Unfortunately, my liquid kit only does ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and pH. The strips also do chlorine, alkalinity and hardness.

They're just plastic "mesh". No chemicals in them. I wouldn't use them as a filter, but they're good for hosting the biologicals from the tank. I plan on always keeping a spare one on the go to supply to newbies.

Thx!

COBettaCouple

The results of the strips can be rather erratic. API does have test kits for chlorine and for kH/gH. They usually run about $6-7 online.

Calab

Lucky me! The 33 gallon tank I picked up the other day had a Hagen test kit with my missing tests!


Also, more progress in my cycle...

This morning I read:
Ammonia - 0
Nitrite - 1
Nitrate - 5

I added ammonia yesterday morning. Didn't test the water though. Should have been at LEAST 6ppm of ammonia when I was done.

Today I bumped the ammonia up to 8ppm. Looks like my old bit of biofilter had some bacteria in it from my first go with this tank.

COBettaCouple

Nice pickup on the tank. Be sure the liquid test kits are 1 year old or less. They get less accurate with age.