I Got it Cycled Finally! Many Thnks to all for the Excelent Help! Also a ? on PH

Hey All, I just wanted to share and express my appreciation and gratitude for all the assistance provided to me via this website.  After all the 50% water changes, minimal feeding etc., on Saturday, 2/17 I got a 0 reading on Ammonia mad Nitrite with a small amount of Nitrates  The same thing goes for yesterday and today.  Just to make sure, I took it to the pet shop and they also confirmed the ammonia and Nitrite is 0!!!!.

However, I must have a bummed Ph kit because he showed me that it's down to about 6.4 and my kit has been telling me it's 7.4/7.2.  I just purchased the API Master kit.  Now, how do I get the Ph up?  Continue with vaccuuming and minimal feeding?  I also read that Co2 could cause this so should I leave the lid open for a few hours a day to help it evaporate?  Also I read that aeration should help it too.  Right now, I don't have an air pump or stone.  Would you defenitely reccomend using one?


Again, thank you very, vey much.

Regards,

Matt

 

I would question whether the test used in the store was accurate or not, since you just bought your kit new. It would not surprise me if their kit has been the same one used for years.

If you add an airstone, you will be defeating the use of CO2. Your surface area needs to stay very calm or the CO2 simply gasses out. Do you have to use CO2 in your tank? If not, I would quit using it. Unless you have a tank specially planted and with good lighting, the CO2 is not necessary for your tank.

 

I would question whether the test used in the store was accurate or not, since you just bought your kit new.  It would not surprise me if their kit has been the same one used for years. 

If you add an airstone, you will be defeating the use of CO2.  Your surface area needs to stay very calm or the CO2 simply gasses out.  Do you have to use CO2 in your tank?  If not, I would quit using it.  Unless you have a tank specially planted and with good lighting, the CO2 is not necessary for your tank.   

Gunnnie, I'm not using Carbon Dioxide in the tank, I just thought it occurred naturally? Also, sorry for the confusion, I just bought the API kit last night. The kit I was using was from Red Sea. The store tested the Ph in front of me three (3) different times w different strips and when I got home and used the API kit, it showed the same results.

 

If the store is using test strips, then I would definitely believe your test results over theirs. Test strips are notoriously inaccurate.

 

If the store is using test strips, then I would definitely believe your test results over theirs.  Test strips are notoriously inaccurate.   

Gunnie, thanks for the reply. I've also heard and read that the strips were inaccurate. But I had skeptical feelings over the original kit I was using for Ammonia, Nitrite and Ph. I discussed the Ammonia one on another thread because it came with a powder Reagent A and a liquid Solution B. Butterfly laughed because she never heard of powder. So I went out and purchased the API Kit and that Ph test was the same as the store testing with the strips. API is Great!!!

Again, thanks for your help!

 

sorry to butt in, but can I just add....why would you want to change your pH? the fish will adapt to whatever pH you have. what they don't like is an alternating pH ....while you're forcing it up, then nature battles it back down, the fish in are in a constantly varying environment which stresses them. this is just what i've read on other threads on here, but it makes perfect sense!!

 

sorry to butt in, but can I just add....why would you want to change your pH? the fish will adapt to whatever pH you have. what they don't like is an alternating pH ....while you're forcing it up, then nature battles it back down, the fish in are in a constantly varying environment which stresses them. this is just what i've read on other threads on here, but it makes perfect sense!! 

You did not butt in. It's a message board, no problem. The dude at the fish store said it was just a little acidic and should be good practice for it to be in the neutral range while establishing a somewhat brand new tank. I was also thinking that a neutral Ph would be best while I decide what types of fish I want to keep in the long run because certain types of fish, like a Discus for example, Need a certain Ph to thrive. Of course a fish could eventually adapt to anything over time but why put it through that if you don't have too. Are you saying that if your Ph is Zero than that it's just find to leave it that way because they will adapt.

 

  Are you saying that if your Ph is Zero than that it's just find to leave it that way because they will adapt.

lets hope your pH isn't zero out of your tap!!!

i'm just saying from what i've heard that if its a little low at 6 or a little high at 8, your fish will get used to it. also each species of fish seem to have different pH requirements. when I was researching the fish species and what pH they like, every fish had a dif preference so it would be impossible to meet the exact needs of each fish. tetras for example like slightly acidic. my tap produces 7.2, and they don't seem to mind (they're not diseased and they're swimming about!) if I made it more acidic to please the tetras, the other fish may not like it so much and the constant fluctuations would upset every fish in there incl the tetras, so they all settle for a constant 7.2. same with temp. some like a bit above 25, some prefer a little below 25. the fish will compomise a little on these parameters. the main thing is the ammonia and nitrite etc!!! they don't compromise on those so well!! so long as they're wet, clean and fed with a bit of tlc they seem to do fine!!
I don't know about every fish, and maybe there are some specialised fish which won't compromise. i'm guessing marine aquariums maybe more exact in their requirements for example? also for fish to breed they may need exact conditions, or they just won't breed (depends I guess if you want babies or not!!).
another tip (dont get me wrong - i'm sure I don't always give good advice!) but fish stores certainly don't always give good advice. some of them are fish enthusiasts. some of them however are just there cos its a job and they get paid and don't actually have any fish experience, so don't be afraid to ask them basic questions and see if they can answer those before asking them anything else!!! subtley test them if you like on the nitrogen cycle! if they've never heard of it, then you know, they know jack about anything else!!!!!!!!!!!! good luck.

 

Tan.b makes an excellent point. I totally missed that! Thanks Tan.b for bringing this up! Now that you have a reliable test kit, test your tap water straight from the tap. If it's more than a .2 difference, you may have to age your water before refilling your tank. I also agree with tan.b said about the ph. Most of the fish we buy at your lfs are not wild caught and may have lived their whole lives in a ph that is different from what they live in in the wild. Even your more sensitive fish like discus and angels can adjust to a different ph if done slowly. If your ph from the tap is dramatically different from your tank ph, post it here, and we will tell you how to age your water.

 

no prob gunnie! just glad you could fill in the blanks of knowledge that I don't know about!! - i'm still learning the basics!!
good luck mattyluke.