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Huugs · 07-09-2005, 06:23 PM

You only really need to do water changes to get the levels down. So if you arent getting any readings or they are very low I wouldnt worry about doing them.

Have you tested your tap water That could be your source of nitrate? Mine comes out with 20ppm of nitrate which was confusing me at first. The ammonia should drop 10-12 after starting. Nitrite is about 25-30 ish days. Im surprised that your nitrate test measures that low amounts. The ones I have seen only do 0ppm them 5.0ppm. Just wondering if youve got it confused with nitrIte.

On another note its best to have the heater plugged in even if the temperature is well above what you have it set on. Just incase overnitght it drops suddenly. That way your heater wont let it go below the temp set. As long as it is thermostatically controlled.
I would probably leave the peat moss untill after you have cycled just because thats another added worry of pH swings.

fishmoniker: There was another discussing on another thread about whether water changes slowed down the cycle and no one decided anything. I think its down to personal experence. But if you have fish in there you have to do water changes to stop the levels geting too high. No need to change anything unless the levels are too high so u can just top up then. I wouldnt worry about the minerals for the emoment.

07-09-2005, 06:23 PM	#8
Huugs Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: London UK Age: 23 Posts: 251	You only really need to do water changes to get the levels down. So if you arent getting any readings or they are very low I wouldnt worry about doing them. Have you tested your tap water That could be your source of nitrate? Mine comes out with 20ppm of nitrate which was confusing me at first. The ammonia should drop 10-12 after starting. Nitrite is about 25-30 ish days. Im surprised that your nitrate test measures that low amounts. The ones I have seen only do 0ppm them 5.0ppm. Just wondering if youve got it confused with nitrIte. On another note its best to have the heater plugged in even if the temperature is well above what you have it set on. Just incase overnitght it drops suddenly. That way your heater wont let it go below the temp set. As long as it is thermostatically controlled. I would probably leave the peat moss untill after you have cycled just because thats another added worry of pH swings. fishmoniker: There was another discussing on another thread about whether water changes slowed down the cycle and no one decided anything. I think its down to personal experence. But if you have fish in there you have to do water changes to stop the levels geting too high. No need to change anything unless the levels are too high so u can just top up then. I wouldnt worry about the minerals for the emoment. Last edited by Huugs; 07-09-2005 at 06:26 PM.