Starting To Think Cycle Not Finished

I'm starting to think I may not have waited long enough on my cycling.
On the first I tested my water after doing a 50% water change (waited a few hours) and my ph level was around 7.6. Today I tested my water again and it appears the ph is 6.0 or below. I have two diffrent test kits for this to back up the readings an Aqua Chem and the API test kits.

Any idea on what's going on?

Yea I think I may have missed read my tank readings in the beginning.
2/1/19 - ph 7.6, Ammonia .5 ppm, Nitrite - 0 ppm, Nitrate - 10 - 20 ppm. (After 50% change)

Today ph 6.0 or below, Ammonia - .5 ppm, Nitrite - 1 ppm, Nitrate 40 - 80 ppm

 

Yes, not cycled yet. Very close though

 

If your pH is indeed 6.0, than you have 0ppm ammonia in your tank. Instead you have .5ppm of ammonium. As your pH starts dropping below 7.0 toxic ammonia starts turning into much less toxic (some claim non-toxic) ammonium. But the problem with ammonium, is that it's a horrible food source for your ammonia converting bacteria. With a pH that low, your tank will not cycle, since you'll never develop an ammonia converting bacteria colony, or if you did develop some bacteria while the pH was closer to 7.0, that bacteria will go dormant until your pH rises close to 7.0.

You can add some crushed coral to your filter (or in a media bad directly in the tank, or even just sprinkled in with your substrate). As the crushed coral dissolves in the water, it releases calcium witch will raise you KH and your pH. The amount you'll need to use is a trial and error method, but you might want to start with 1/2 cup and go from there. Note that when you have a low pH, you almost always have a low KH. With a low KH your tank is much more susceptible to pH swings, whereas tanks with a higher KH have much more suborn to change pH levels (which is a good thing, since pH swings can kill fish).

Best of luck!

 

Thank for the advice. At the moment I can't afford to by the crushed coral until I get payed next month (part-time collage instructor) but I did some more research and found out about baking soda. I introduced it slowly and got my Ph back up. As soon as I can get the coral I'll stop with the baking soda.

Test again this morning after doing 50% WC 2 days ago.
Ph- 7.6, Ammonia- .5 ppm, Nitrite- 0 ppm, Nitrate- 10-20 ppm

 

I was going to recommend getting some coral from petco and doing the online price match ($15 instead of $35) if you get CaribSea but you only need 1 pound per 10 gallons. Might not be the best option if you have like a 10 gallon tank and have to buy a 20 pound bag
How big is the tank by the way?

 

I have a 50 gallon tank

 

Yeah, so that's a waste of 15 pounds of coral. I wonder where you can buy small amounts of it

 

Well, how long would it take the coral to dissolve? (Average, I know it comes in different sizes)

 

I would think at least a year to even be noticeable. Mine hasn't changed enough to see anything in about 6 months

 

Alright I think I'm starting to add it together, Start with a small amount and keep adding coral to the tank until my ph reach the correct level then wait util all that dissolves which could take up to a year or longer?

 

I use both crushed coral and seashells in my tanks to keep the PH stable. If you can't get CC right now do you have or know anyone that has any seashells? I think they dissolve quicker than CC and in my case I enjoy seeing them in my tanks. They serve a double purpose, Decoration and stabilizing my PH. Fortunately I have a friend that is going to bring me some more because I am starting to get low on my supply of them.

 

Alright I think I'm starting to add it together, Start with a small amount and keep adding coral to the tank until my ph reach the correct level then wait util all that dissolves which could take up to a year or longer?

Basically yes. Though it will take a few days to do anything your tests will notice. I think that it would take several years before you need to replace it

 

Thank you for the information. That was a huge help all.

 

Glad to help

 

Well now I'm at a loss. Did a 50% WC a few hours ago and I just wanted to go ahead a check the levels. and something just does not seem right

Ph - 7.4 - 7.8, Ammonia - 1 ppm, Nitrite 0 ppm, Nitrate - 40 -80 ppm

What am I missing here?