Tanksy
Member
Hi guys,
About 10 days ago (Feb 12, 2022) I started cycling a 30lt nano tank. I decided to go with the dark start method. So, I added Tropica Aqua Soil Powder, installed the canister filter, filled it with dechlorinated (Seachem Prime) tap water and added Dr Tim's Ammonium Chloride. All this time the Seachem Ammonia Alert badge shows below 0.05 ppm of Ammonia, so I bought some API liquid tests to start monitoring the process. Also, I'm topping up with RO water. About 100-150 ml every 2 days. Temperature is 28 C.
On Feb 19 the readings were:
pH: 6
NH3/NH4: 4 ppm
NO2: 0 ppm
Added a dosage of Tetra Safe Start.
On Feb 20
pH: 6
NH3/NH4: 4 ppm
NO2: 0 pm
I know that the Seachem Ammonia Alert badge measures free ammonia, while the API tests measure total ammonia. Based on online calculators the free ammonia in the tank would be around 0.0029 ppm. So I added more of Dr Tim's Ammonia.
Today I thought I should measure Nitrates, just out of curiosity.
pH: 6
NH3/NH4: 6
NO2: 0
NO3: 40-50 ppm
I did some research and the high amount of Nitrates is probably because of the Aqua Soil. Also, the low pH is delaying the cycling process.
My question is, how do I proceed?
About 10 days ago (Feb 12, 2022) I started cycling a 30lt nano tank. I decided to go with the dark start method. So, I added Tropica Aqua Soil Powder, installed the canister filter, filled it with dechlorinated (Seachem Prime) tap water and added Dr Tim's Ammonium Chloride. All this time the Seachem Ammonia Alert badge shows below 0.05 ppm of Ammonia, so I bought some API liquid tests to start monitoring the process. Also, I'm topping up with RO water. About 100-150 ml every 2 days. Temperature is 28 C.
On Feb 19 the readings were:
pH: 6
NH3/NH4: 4 ppm
NO2: 0 ppm
Added a dosage of Tetra Safe Start.
On Feb 20
pH: 6
NH3/NH4: 4 ppm
NO2: 0 pm
I know that the Seachem Ammonia Alert badge measures free ammonia, while the API tests measure total ammonia. Based on online calculators the free ammonia in the tank would be around 0.0029 ppm. So I added more of Dr Tim's Ammonia.
Today I thought I should measure Nitrates, just out of curiosity.
pH: 6
NH3/NH4: 6
NO2: 0
NO3: 40-50 ppm
I did some research and the high amount of Nitrates is probably because of the Aqua Soil. Also, the low pH is delaying the cycling process.
My question is, how do I proceed?
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