docB

I have a 55 gallon planted tank.
I started it april 1st
I have 3 cory cats, 2 oto cats and 7 white clouds
nitrites have evolved from 4 or 5 to .25
Nitrates have stayed consistently around 10
I was changing 50% water twice a week (I store water in a container for a few days for water changes)
The LFS sugggested adding the White Clouds and decreasing the water changes to induce cycling
The ammonia went from .2 to 1.0 before yesterday's water change
The water is off the charts hard
Today I added peat in an attempt to soften it.
The pH has always been about 7.0 - 7.3
A couple days ago the Ph jumped to 7.8.
I did a water change but the Ph remained 7.8
I would like to add some Discus to the tank soon and understand they prefer around 6.5 Ph

My questions are
How can I get the Ph lower without adding some Ph down chemical at every WC?
Do the numbers indicate that the cycling is complete? I expected the nitrates to rise more?
Is the tank ready for Discus?

agabr123

you can lower the pH using driftwood as long as it is still releasing tannins. the tannic acids will lower your pH naturally and safely for your fish

the cycle isn't done yet if you're still getting ammonia and nitrite readings, when you get consistent readings of 0 PPM for both and some nitrate (even just 10 ppm is fine, anywhere from 5-20 ppm is good)

your tank isn't quite ready for discus yet, you'll want to wait until you get consistent readings of 0ppm ammonia and nitrite and 5-20 nitrate and once you get your pH under control

docB

I have had two large pieces of driftwood in since the beginning.
I definitely do not want to be chasing the PH at every WC.
Perhaps a lot of peat in the container that stores my water for a few days before the WC. I already add the discus blackwater stuff which also is supposed to lower the PH
Perhaps the very hard water is making it difficult for the peat, driftwood etc to lower the ph.
I believe R.O. is the only way to deal with that?
I can't quite get excited about installing that in the office. There is the expense (I don't want to even know what I have spent so far) and just the logistics of setting it up in the office "kitchen"

At least the nitrate have FINALLY started to go down. perhaps the nitrates will now FINALLY start to go up.
I believe the ammonia was high because I purposely let everything sit for awhile.
I usually do get 0 ammonia

Looks like a few more weeks before Discus.

At least the plants look nice...

Shawnie

while you are cycling, the ph changes alot....so at this point, finish up the cycle..have a good week or two of a 0-0-under 20 and then test the ph to see what steps need to be taken then....most things (driftwood, peat , crushed coral etc) do well naturally, but during the cycle, its not as effective ..goodluck!

docB

OK Shawnie Thanks
It just seemed odd that the PH held steady for about six weeks then shot up.
I'll sit back and let Mother Nature do her thing - always a good plan.

What with all the measurements, calculations and details it is easy to get swept up in making sure all the numbers are just baby bear right - and I don't really even have fish yet!