Topic: Parameters Confusing me!!!!!

[Guppyguy]

My tank finally has water, I just tested it. Problem: parameters. I'm not used to measuring, I've been studying about the fish!
The following are measured in ppm: GH-about 25 KH-240 pH- 8.0 no nitrates or nitrites.

[RinsMom]

Ok, pH is fine.... 8.0 is very doable.... some fish prefer softer water (lower number), but it is usually too difficult to alter.  Most fish can tolerate 8.0 just fine. (My tap water is 8.0 or a bit higher, and I've not had problems.)

I'm not sure what to suggest about the gh... that has to do with hardness, I believe, and I don't worry about that.

I'm assuming you are trying to cycle the tank?  Are you using anything as a food source for the bacteria?  Or... is this essentially the water straight out of the tap?  If so, it shouldn't have any ammonia, nitrites, or nitrates in it.

Basically, here's how it happens...  fish waste is primarily ammonia....  certain bacteria convert the ammonia to nitrites, which are safer than ammonia... and then other bacteria convert the nitrites to nitrates, which is the end product of cycling.  When your tank, that has previously shown ammonia and nitrites shows  0 Ammonia, 0 Nitrites, and some nitrates, it is cycled.

http://www.petfish.net/kb/entry/119/    This is a basic article explaining some of the nitrogen cycle.

The problem comes in that you can't cycle the tank without a food source for the bacteria....  I remember, growing up, the common thing was to set up the tank and let it sit for a few days.... I'm not really sure what all that did, unless it just allowed the chlorine to disappate....  that was before the chloramines that are used today, and don't disappate on their own.  Anyway, setting up a tank and letting it set really does nothing.

http://www.petfish.net/kb/entry/766/

The second article explains some about the fishless cycling.

I don't remember how large your tank is... if I remember correctly, you have a 5 gallon tank you are planning on using for a betta, right?  A small tank can be cycled, but with it being so small, it can be difficult to keep it stabilized. 

So... at this point, what is it you are trying to do?

[Guppyguy]

I do plan on cycling, and I haven't dechlorinated the water yet, it's barely got any water in it. You see, I didn't clean the gravel as well I thought. I'm actually leaving to get filter cartridges, maybe some ammonia source for the bacteria, etc. I'm still planning on getting betta, and I probably need to down the pH just a smidge,a pH of 7.5 at least. I've got all the equipment I need, except  a vacuum. 0 NO2 or NO3. I was in formed that if the KH is high enough, the  pH is more likely to be stable, is there some way that can be contradicted? I used the soft water, though we have a well full of beautiful rust and calcium!

[wendyjo]

I'd leave the PH alone - it's better for it to be high and stable than to be messing around with it constantly and getting swings.  Ph wants to be what it is, and to keep it different you will constantly have to be using additives and adjusting them.

An ammonia source can simply be fish food tossed into the tank each day.

[Cholly]

Messing with pH, kH and gH has killed many more fish than it has helped, a stable pH is much more important than the so-called "correct" pH unless you're trying to breed fish that most people have trouble even keeping alive.

RinsMom and wendyjo have the nitrogen cycle parameters spot on, read up on the links RinsMom gave.

[Guppyguy]

Well, she's set up. I'm going to start the cycling January 1st. I figured the pH was fine(and I really didn't want to mess with it anyway); I don't believe in "pH Down" and products like that anyway. If my wood still leaks tannins when I add it, then the pH might go down(though like I said, I don't care to mess with the pH, unless its necassary).

[Cholly]

It's rarely necessary. Like I said before, a stable pH is much more important.

[Guppyguy]

Indeed, and less work.

[Guppyguy]

I probably shouldn't run the filter while cycling right? My filter has the carbon in it to neutralise ammonia, which means no food for bacteria?

[ShieldWolf]

Run the filter & just remove the carbon. The beneficial bacteria thrive where there is flowing oxygenated water & that coincidentally is where the filter is.

They will colonize there first & that is where the majoity of the bacteria will be when everything is said & done. Moreso then in the gravel, decor or frestanding in the tank water.