Thanks for that, I just done a test today and the readings are now

Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Ph 6.0
Nitrate 5

So it would appear that I am near enough cycled if I am understanding that correctly?

I think I'll leave it another 48 hours to let everything settle after numerous water changes and dosing with Seachem etc

Will using Flourish be ok at such a delicate time or should I refrain from using any chemicals for the time being?

Thanks

Thanks.

I'm guessing the other readings are positive though with the nitrites reducing and there now being a presence of nitrates indicating the "good bacteria" are reproducing.

What could be causing the continual 0 ammonia readings though as there are 19 neons being fed which I thought would produce at least some bioload?

Thanks again

Update

Tested today and water changes as well as Seachem Prime seem to be working.

Results are

PH 6.4 which has reduced
Nitrite 0.50
Nitrate 5
Ammonia 0

Plan to do another 50% water change today and dose with prime.

Should I be worried about the PH?

Also should I give the fish a heavy feed to try and produce some ammonia keep the cycle going?

Thanks

I'm looking to buy these in order to replace one every month.

I checked on eBay and found a 2 pack of genuine Fluval ones for roughly ?7. Whilst on eBay I did see a filter company selling Fluval compatible pads at a much lower price.

Can anyone advise if these compatible pads are any good?

Thanks

Thanks I'm doing this now along with Seachem Prime.

I'll monitor for the next week.

I recently went away for 5 days and prior to doing so done a 50% water change and have the fish a good feed.

Since I've returned I done a water test and got the following results

PH 7.6
Am 0
Nitrite 5
Nitrate 0

I done another 50% water change and removed all half chewed plants etc and left it over night.

I just done a test now and the results were the same with 5ppm Nitrate now.

Is it just a case of doing water changes until its reduced?

Thanks

Thanks I'll do this later then retest tomorrow.

So to confirm all readings apart from PH should preferably by 0ppm?

Thanks, I'm presuming my tap water will be naturally low in nitrates due to the low level or could that be the good bacteria keeping that low?

I'll test some tap water tonight to confirm.

Also this will be a silly question however as a beginner I can be forgiven haha

My tap water is really cold and obviously doing a 50% water change tonight will drastically change my temperature in the tank. I am thinking of adding a boiled kettle to every second bucket of water to combat this unless there are any other suggestions?

Thanks again

Thanks, I thought Nitrates were the good stuff?

What are the ideal readings?

Hi All,

Done my first test today and recorded the following results

PH - 6.8/7.0
Ammonia 0.5
Nitrites 0.0
Nitrates 5.0

I have a 125 litre tank with 5 plants and air stone and 20 neon tetras.

I am thinking of doing a 25% water change to bring the ammonia down but don't want to bring the nitrates down either.

Any advice?

Thanks