45 Gallon Cycle Question

so I’ve been doing a fish in cycle for over 3 weeks now, my parameters have been, ph-6.4 ammonia-1.0 nitrate- 0 nitrite-0. When I tested my water today my pH has dropped to about a 6.0. It’s not as yellow as 6.0 on my API master test kit but it’s not the light green of 6.4 so it’s somehwere in between. My ammonia looks to be sliiiiiiightly dropping as well. I’ll post a pic of the color of ammonia on my test kit to get another opinion. Anyone know why my pH would drop in less than 24 hours? Thanks

 

pH drop be caused by the nitrification stage of biological filtration. Nitrification is the process through which beneficial bacteria in the aquarium convert ammonia to nitrite and then into nitrate. The pH level can be different before and after water changes, especially if the pH of the aquarium water and the aquarium itself vary.

 

If this is a fish in cycle I'd do a 50% pwc to get that ammonia down ASAP! Even though due to your lower ph it's probably all ammonium atm which is safer for fish.

Do you know your gh and kh? Low kh can result in ph swings which can cause cycle crashes as well as shock to fish.

You can add crushed coral to the filter in a mesh bag or mix it into your substrate. This will slowly raise your kh and keep your ph steady. If you cannot get it asap you can try adding a cuddlebone or two to the tank or filter. I've personally never seen a kh or ph rise with cuddlebone but others have reported it.

 

pH drop be caused by the nitrification stage of biological filtration. Nitrification is the process through which beneficial bacteria in the aquarium convert ammonia to nitrite and then into nitrate. The pH level can be different before and after water changes, especially if the pH of the aquarium water and the aquarium itself vary.

I concluded that my ammonia is still at 1.0 so does that mean my tank could be starting the process of turning the ammonia into nitrites soon?

 

I would say your cycle is about to start looks promising to me ..

 

I would say your cycle is about to start looks promising to me ..

Cool. It’s a glimmer of hope. Finally haha

 

It's hard I know. Just got done fishless cycle on 40 gallon just to have the bottom seal blow 2 weeks after adding fish. The had to minI cycle the new 36 gallon. Whole process took 3 almost 4 months

 

HI there, ph swings can be deadly for fish. It is vital to have some mineral content; mostly carbonate to 'buffer' the tank water in other words to stop it suddenly becoming very acidic very quickly.

Do you know gh and kh of tap water?

If you have very soft water you may need to add some hardness/minerals.

If necessary as a previous post has said some crushed coral in the filter or perhaps a few small chunks of limestone or sea shells even.

However don't mess around with water chemistry until you are sure of the cause.

 

What is the pH of your source water?

 

P

What is the pH of your source water?

ph of my tap water is 7.6

 

So something in your tank is bringing it down. I'd add the crushed coral

 

If your pH drops too much, it can stall your cycle. I would do some small water changes daily (10-20%) to try to stabilize the pH for the fish and the bacteria. Also, you should dose the tank with something like Prime daily to protect the fish from the ammonia if you aren't already doing that.

 

If your pH drops too much, it can stall your cycle. I would do some small water changes daily (10-20%) to try to stabilize the pH for the fish and the bacteria. Also, you should dose the tank with something like Prime daily to protect the fish from the ammonia if you aren't already doing that.

I already dose prime every other day