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Old January 25th, 2009  
Fish Bum
 
Where am I at so far?

Got the bowfront tank (28 gal) going a few weeks ago. Has pea gravel and bubbling rock, plants and a bio wheel filter. No fish. Temp is at 78 degrees. Took water samples today to test and here are the parameters:

pH: 7.6 so I took the high range test.
pH high range: 8.4
nitrite: 0
ammonia: 0

I've done gravel cleanings already to rid the gravel of dust that's settled. We have extremely hard well water. I suspect the gravel is making the pH soar. While I'm not thrilled with this, I believe it will be okay since my husband is planning on stocking it with cichlids. Don't shoot but I did end up using supplemental bacteria additive. The ammonia I've seen around here has additives and I didn't feel comfortable using it. I guess what I'm asking is the opinions of the paramaters and what a good time frame would be to begin stocking slowly.

Last edited by parrotheadX5; January 25th, 2009 at 08:30 PM.
parrotheadX5 is offline  
Old January 25th, 2009  
Moderator
 
It looks like your cycle has not started yet. With no readings of ammonia or nitrite I would say that you are only in the very beginning. I would put off doing much gravel vacuuming tho, as you really want to start that beneficial bacteria growing.
What kind of supplemental bacteria product did you use?
capekate is offline  
Old January 25th, 2009  
Fish Master
 
did you test for nitrate? if you have nitrate, then your tank is cycled, if not, then it hasn't started.
agabr123 is offline  
Old January 25th, 2009  
Fish Bum
 
Top Fin Bacteria Supplement and I agree with minimizing the gravel cleaning but for some reason even though I cleaned the gravel, it was clouding the water at first. Looks good and clear today.
parrotheadX5 is offline  
Old January 25th, 2009  
Fish Bum
 
The tester kit I have tests for water hardness, nitrites, pH and High pH, and ammonia.

Last edited by parrotheadX5; January 25th, 2009 at 08:39 PM.
parrotheadX5 is offline  
Old January 25th, 2009  
Fish Master
 
hmm, you're going to need something to test for nitrates otherwise you'll never know if your tank is cycled or not
agabr123 is offline  
Old January 25th, 2009  
Moderator
 
Most folks will tell you that the Top Fin product does not work. This type of (wrong) Nitrifying bacteria is not one that is self sustaining and you will need to continually use it or add a source of ammonia to your tank,either with pure ammonia, fish food or a piece of raw fish such as shrimp that will break down and start producing ammonia which in turn will start your cycle.Also, it has been reported that using the Top Fin will cause a cloudy water, and some claim that it is the bacteria 'bloom' starting. Without a source of ammonia, that bloom will die off rapidly.
There is pretty much only one type of beneficial bacteria in a bottle that works on the market and that is the Tetra Safe Start.
Also in order to know where you are in the cycle you will need to get yourself a NitrAte kit. Once you start showing some ammonia on your test kit, I would then proceed to start testing your nitrIte soon after. Once you start seeing NitrIte showing up, I would begin testing the NitrAte.
I do not believe your tank is cycled and I believe there is no source of ammonia in your tank for the beneficial bacteria to really take hold of and grow. I would suggest the raw fish method, It worked great for me.
capekate is offline  
Old January 25th, 2009  
Fish Bum
 
Thank you for the suggestions and advice, I'm going to do some shopping tomorrow then and get the appropriate things. I was skeptical on the Top Fin brand. So far what I've seen for ammonia around here, it has additives. If I can't find the Tetra Safe Start, would you mind delving more into the raw fish method? I do have uncooked frozen shrimp!
parrotheadX5 is offline  
Old January 26th, 2009  
Fish Keeper
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by parrotheadX5 View Post
I do have uncooked frozen shrimp!
That will be perfect. Just drop one in and let it decompose (Ammonia source).

D
≈ D ≈ is offline  
Old January 26th, 2009  
Fish Master
 
i've heard it can be difficult to find pure ammonia, but i think some have had luck at ace hardware if there is one near you.

good luck!
agabr123 is offline  
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