Advice and Opinion Please

[fatmarley]

I'm sure you see these posts all the time, but I would really like to know
A. What is happening
B. Is all going well

I had an established tank with various fish running for a couple of years, so I am sure that my filter, wood, rocks and plants all have established bacteria. Last week I liquidated my fish (sold them off) and I bought some ADA Power Sand and Amazonian Soil. I setup the tank and placed all my decor back in the tank.

I have let the tank filter pump away for the last 3 days and I just did a 50% water change on the tank, plus I did a test of the water.
These are my readings.

Ph 6.5
KH 2
CO2 21 mg/l
NO2 0.3 mg/l
GH 5
NH3/NH4+ 5.0 mg/l (Possibly higher, the color was a dark green)

I know very little about the cycling process but my intention is to create a suitable environment for a harem of Cacatuoids and Borelllis to breed and spawn in a 40 gallon breeder. I am wondering how harm along I am, and if the parameters stay the same, such as the PH, KH and GH will this be suitable. I know the PH is on target, but I am unsure of the other two.

Thanks for the patience!!!

[Lady Hobbs]

If you changed the substrate, you will have to do another cycle. With established filter media and your used decorations and rocks, it won't take quite so long but all the biological factor that was removed needs replacing.

Get some PURE ammonia and start doing a fishless cycle before adding new fish.

[Chrona]

This is perfectly normal with ADA aquasoil. You picked a great substrate, but since it's organic, there are inherent issues. Pretty much everyone who uses the stuff gets a huge ammonia spike for 1-2 weeks as some of the soil breaks down and humic acid builds up. This is normal and desirable, since a acidic substrate is very benefical for plant growth. As you can see, the AS is lowering your pH and your hardness as well. At the moment, your ammonia is way too high for fish, so just wait another week for things to stablize. Since you had old filters with an established bacteria population, the cycling process will not last too long. You are planning to add live plants correct? Wait until your ammonia readings taper off, then do so. Bright lights + lots of ammonia will give you some major algae headaches.

Btw, are you injecting CO2? Without any fish in there, you can crank the CO2 way up (if you have pressurized) to like 90ppm. This will inhibit many kinds of algae

[fatmarley]

Thanks for the advice.

Actually I used my old plants in the tank, I read that they contain the bacteria to help cycling. And I use a DIY CO2 system, I could just shake the crap out of it for the next couple days, or setup a second bottle.

Know that I know ADA soil has ammonia in it, I understand why my ammonia is so freaking high, that had me puzzled.

How often should I change the water, and what percentage to do you think?

[Chrona]

Thanks for the advice.

Actually I used my old plants in the tank, I read that they contain the bacteria to help cycling. And I use a DIY CO2 system, I could just shake the crap out of it for the next couple days, or setup a second bottle.

Know that I know ADA soil has ammonia in it, I understand why my ammonia is so freaking high, that had me puzzled.

How often should I change the water, and what percentage to do you think?

Leave it be, the ammonia will help cycle your tank. Aquasoil doesn't contain ammonia, but it contains organics that break down, releasing humic acid and ammonia. Keep your photoperiod way down during this time or you're going to have a hell of an algae outbreak

[fatmarley]

My water has a greenish brown ting, any ideas?

[cocoa_pleco]

greenish brown is from algae due to nitrates and tank lights being left on for too long

[Lady Hobbs]

Probably from the Amazion soil. Amazon tanks are brackish and will give this off color hue. Many fish love it as well as plants.

[Chrona]

24 hours blackout will take care of the green algae bloom. Brown is normal. ADA aquasoil is organic soil pressed into balls, so it'll leech a bit into the tank until it settles.

[Lady Hobbs]

[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

Here ya go. Others had same thing as you and this will tell you what they did to clear it up.