New Tank Cycling Questions..

[vannel]

Hi All,

I am still relatively new to the aquarium hobby and was hoping to get some advise on the kind of parameters I should be expecting from my tank as it is being cycled. This new tank is a nano (35x23x23) shrimp-only tank. I have inside it 4 shrimps and 1 oto right now to help with the cycling. I should also mention my filter is new.

Current Parameters (using 5-in-1, JBL Test Strip):
- No3 @ 0
- No2 @ 0
- GH @ 7-9
- KH @ 0-3
- PH @ 6
* Parameters are not deadly accurate due to the use of test strips and the colour chart I am comparing against.

I am only in my 1st week of cycling and was wondering if the parameters shown are any trouble. According to the colour chart, my KH seems to be too low and I'm worrying that it will cause a PH spike. Any suggestions on raising KH very slightly? Any shrimp safe products in the market that will help to raise KH?

Also, 10% of the tank's water comes from my 6mth old 2ft tank and should help with speeding up the cycling process. Should I continue to do daily water changes with the water from my 2ft tank?

Finally, how would I know which stage of the cycling process I am currently in? Using tank water from another tank should rightfully provide me with some bacteria to start off.. So, should I be expecting a PH spike? Or, am I already past that? If my parameters stay constant for the next few days, does that mean my tank is already cycled then?


Sorry for the many questions.. And, thanks to anyone who took time to read my post.

[sungod666]

No problems here, just add some good bacteria. stop doing water changes if not necessary. will take less than 1 wk for the bacteria to be ready. feed as per normal. Oh, almost forgot. beside adding bacteria, get those bacteria nutrients that will acclerate bacteria growth. if your filter have biohomme plus than problem solved. biohomme plus is a media that comes ready with nutrients to acclerate bacteria growth. $40 per kg.

[vannel]

Ahh. After a whole day I finally get a reply. Haha.. Thanks sungod666. Glad to know that my water parameters are okay. I was a little worried since I didn't start cycling from scratch due to the pre-aged water. I'll keep a lookout for the bacteria nutrients you mentioned. Cheers!