PH level reading 7.8, cycling new tank..help please

[toban]

One month ago I set up a 55 gallon tank for freshwater tropical fish. I have sand, few live plants, one piece of malaysian driftwood (plan on adding an extra piece eventually). When I added water to the tank, set up the filter, heater I took the biomax nodules from my fluval u3 filter (in a 29 gallon tank) and added them to the new filter (Fluval C4). I also filled the new filter with water from my smaller tank. Yesterday I added approximately 9 more plants. I have added Seachem Stability while cycling from the beginning.

I tested my water today using the Nutrafin Mini Master kit (liquid). The ammonia, nitrite, nitrate are at zero level (colorless). However my PH level was approximately 7.8 according to the color chart.

I don't have any fish in the tank (fishless cycling). My old tank has neons, cardinals, 4 cory's, 2 otto's.

My plan is to add the cory's first, let them have the tank for a week or two, then add the other fish.

I haven't placed any fish in the new tank because I'm leery the level is too high.

Isn't 7.8 too high for these fish? My 29 gallon is around 6.9.

I thought about buying API PH Down to lower it. Suggestions?

Thanks! :)

[Goes to 11!]

Three things:

You didn't mention it so I will ask, What ammonia source did you use to cycle the tank?

Bottom feeders are not your best first introduction into a newly cycled tank as they are especially at risk to ammonia spikes common in newly set up tanks.

My pH is a rock solid 7.6 and neither my corys or otos have issues [Don't keep cards]

You added your old bio-media a month ago? Is that correct?

[toban]

The only ammonia source (not sure if this is considered one) I added is Seachem Stabiity. Otherwise I didn't add anything else. Word for word from Seachem website." Stability® is formulated specifically for the aquarium and contains a synergistic blend of aerobic, anaerobic, and facultative bacteria which facilitate the breakdown of waste organics, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate"

I added the biomax nodes one month ago and poured aquarium water from old tank into new filter to add some extra bacteria.

[Lady Hobbs]

Your pH is fine. Nothing to worry about. My pH is 7.6, too and has never stopped me from getting anything I've wanted.

[Goes to 11!]

Stability is not an ammonia source, It requires one.

..Contains/ bacteria which facilitate the breakdown of waste organics, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate

As mentioned above it contains bacteria that break down ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate. Except you had none of that in your tank.

I have bad news and worse news for you.

The bad: The use of the old aquarium water did absolutely nothing since the bacterial colony is primarily in the filter media and to a lessor extent the substrate and hard surfaces of the tank.

Worse: Your BB starved to death in a couple of days about a month ago due to having no food source.

As your test kit clearly shows, You now have an uncycled filter on that tank and you are starting over wrt cycling.

Here is the sticky on fishless cycling for you to review.

[canuck]

Sorry, maybe I didn't explain things properly..

I filled the tank with fresh, dechlorinated water, not water from my old tank.

I poured water from my old tank into the Fluval C4 filter (hang on back style filter) because it needs water to prime it. I figured water from my old tank would help add some bacteria into the filter and media. I also soaked, dipped the Poly/foam mechanical filter pad with old aquarium water before placing it in the filter.

I had the water tested approximately two and half weeks ago. The ammonia and nitrite/nitrate level was up (not too badly). I had it retested a few days ago at the pet store and they said everything was fine.

Thanks for your help! :)

[Goes to 11!]

I filled the tank with fresh, dechlorinated water, not water from my old tank. Obviously not what I referred to.

I poured water from my old tank into the Fluval C4 filter (hang on back style filter) because it needs water to prime it. I figured water from my old tank would help add some bacteria into the filter and media. I also soaked, dipped the Poly/foam mechanical filter pad with old aquarium water before placing it in the filter. Yes, I know... I replied to this by mentioning it was not effective in the least.

I had the water tested approximately two and half weeks ago. The ammonia and nitrite/nitrate level was up (not too badly). I had it retested a few days ago at the pet store and they said everything was fine.

Of course it tests fine there is nothing in there to change the parameters.

I also notice that you started this thread under the user name 'toban' and are now replying as 'canuck', You might want to be more aware of which open tab you are replying on, Know what I mean? .

[toban]

I forgot my old username since I wasn't on the site for awhile. So I resigned up. Looks like I suddenly remembered my old username lol. Anyways I will continue to login under "toban".

[KingFisher]

I forgot my old username since I wasn't on the site for awhile. So I resigned up. Looks like I suddenly remembered my old username lol. Anyways I will continue to login under "toban".

Well, since we are only allowed one account per person, which one would you like deleted?

[toban]

Well, since we are only allowed one account per person, which one would you like deleted?

Replied to your PM :) Please delete the "canuck" account. I apologize for any problems I caused.