Re: [GSAS-Member] Nitrogen Cycle - a slow start?

[Michael Staeb <mikeycpa@gmail.com>]

>>> It sounds like everything is off to a great start in your tank.  Since you 
>>> are not seeing any ammonia or nitrite your biological filtration is already 
>>> up and running for the number of fish that you started with.  Well done.  
>>> You could probably add a couple more fish whenever you are ready.

Initially that's what I was thinking, that I had seeded enough water
and used filter media that the cycle had already completed, but what
concerns me is that even the nitrate levels are reading 0.

>>> The rise in pH is not related to nutrients. Unless you're feeding your fish 
>>> baking soda, or mummified jerky or something, it's probably coming from 
>>> your decorations or gravel.  What type of substrate are you using?  Any 
>>> decorations or driftwood?

No baking soda or jerky, sorry!  ;-)  I am using a gravel substrate
with a mixed in clay component in the bottom layer designed to help
plant growth.  I do have a number of plants (including two mosses) in
there and one large/one small piece of driftwood.  I'm also using a
CO2 diffuser (not the fancy kind, just the inexpensive one that keeps
a "pool" of CO2 directly in contact with the surface of the water).
Might over doing the CO2 effect anything?

>>> How is the health of your fish looking?  Everyone active and eating?  Fins 
>>> and gills moving normally?

Everyone seems to be fine.  They are all acting accordingly.  Danios
are quite active.  Fed them live brine shrimp for the first time last
night and boy was that a show!  Otos are doing their thing.  Plants
are growing quite well and appear healthy.
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