tank cycle

[Sterno]

will my tank cycle with a ph of 6.0 or lower and a water temp of 86 ?

[Graham]

It will but, the lower the pH, the longer it will take. Nitrifying bacteria much prefer to be up in the 7.8 to 8.2 range.

With a low pH, any ammonia produced is harmless anyway and the larger water changes or a bit of salt will protect the fish from any nitrite

G

[woodenfish]

will my tank cycle with a ph of 6.0 or lower and a water temp of 86 ?

If you want a faster cycle, try a makeshift wet-dry.

Completely submerged systems do not deliver as much O2 to the bacteria sites as wet-dry does.

Use a large plastic container, 30 gals may be. Pile up your filter medium in a elevated position (I use coffee cups). Use a hose attached to a powerhead. Secure the other end of the hose firmly on the top of the pile and just let water cascade down. Add a bacteria seed and a source of ammonia.

[Sterno]

tnx for the help m8s :)

[robert e. hansen]

i cycle all my new tanks with the water from other tanks. i also have two to three filter per tank. move an old filter to the new tank and i put the all ready cycled filter in the new tank. then i put the other uncycled filters in the new tank. let it run for a few days and check your water. you know the rest

bob