Extremely low pH / Fish struggling Help!

[GlennO]

IMO water with at least 1° or 2°dGH would be best for the species being kept.

 

[Blacksheep1]

IMO water with at least 1° or 2°dGH would be best for the species being kept.

Which is what they have water wise , am i correct in translating that ?

 

[GlennO]

Which is what they have water wise , am i correct in translating that ?

I think the tap and tank water GH is currently 0.

 

[Blacksheep1]

Pictus could you please clarify what the tank is now at kh/gh wise thanks !

 

[Pictus]

I misplaced my test strips so I will lyk when ever I find them

It can take 6 months for your tank to be fully ready to manage an ammonia source at low pH. They are a completely different bacteria that colonise your tank and they grow more slowly than the ‘standard’ bacteria.

Does this mean I shouldn't/Can't add new fish for 3-6 more months? I'm still confused why it cycled so fast (2 weeks) before hand if that is the case.
I haven't been able to get out of the house and go get some things I need for the fish, but I will be doing a water change tomorrow and I will most likely get leaf litter and maybe limestone before hand.

I think the tap and tank water GH is currently 0.

I believe the tap is 0 GH, but as I misplaced my strips, I don't know about the tank GH atm.
(Found the strips lol)
My tank water is 0ppm GH, and the KH Is 30ppm.

 

[GlennO]

It wouldn't have cycled previously within 2 weeks unless you added bacteria in the form of used filter media or gravel or possibly (though unlikely) out of a bottle. With a small bioload it can appear as though the cycle finishes more quickly but cycling typically takes 6-8 weeks. That will be extended if the pH is below 6.5 but by how much is difficult to say, it's not an exact science as every tank and water is different.

 

[Pictus]

I did use bacteria out of a bottle and I'm adding that to my tank right now as its cycling. Also, that does make sense. I'll be patient with it. That's what this hobby is all about anyways

 

[Zer0Fame]

Hey,

shift your attention from ammonia to nitrites. The lower the pH, the more toxic nitrites are.

 

[Pictus]

Oh, Alright. Thanks for the heads up. I just did a test today and it was at 0, but I will be monitoring it more frequently now.