missing nitrite cycle

[ninja]

Put some kamikaze shrimp in there.

[ineke]

I can do that no problems I will catch some out today but how will that help or will it just tell me it is shrimp safe?

[ninja]

It will tell you.

[ineke]

10 shrimp caught and now drip acclimatising- these are cherries though and the tank is for the mishlings. I will see how these go and maybe put a few crystals in tomorrow- bit wary of that as I might not be able to catch them and don't want them breeding with the good guys! So now What?

[Squiggle]

Hey Ineke, just so you know, my sump finished cycling last weekend, lol :victorious:

[ineke]

Squiggle I am very happy for you but I'm not impressed. Anyway shrimp are in the tank shrimping around so we shall see if it kills them over the next few days so it's back to waiting waiting waiting!!! It's worse than waiting for babies to be born they only take 4 weeks!!!!!

So if these shrimp live do we take it that the tank is safe? I wouldn't put my mishlings in but if these are ok should I Try a crystal?

[Squiggle]

Lol Should be right if these guys live :encouragement:

[2OFUS]

Id throw a crystal in there

[ineke]

Thanks Squiggle and 2OFUS I will acclimatise a couple of crystals I guess that's the only way to find out:encouragement:

[Squiggle]

Hahaha, sacrificing the live of few to save the lives of many! :victorious:

[ineke]

So the shrimp are all happily grazing in the new tank don't seem to be bothered by the ammonia but early days yet. Will see how they are at the end of the week and just keep hoping the cycle will finish

[Squiggle]

That's awesome news Ineke, got my fingers crossed for you :victorious:

[ineke]

Thanks Squiggle this has certainly been an epic journey

[torface]

Didn't I see someone on here say that ammonia doesn't really have an effect at low ph? I think you're all good ineke :)

[mr_c265]

Didn't I see someone on here say that ammonia doesn't really have an effect at low ph? I think you're all good ineke :)

Yep, ammonia is less toxic at lower pH's as the majority of it becomes protonated to counter the acidity, it will mostly become Ammonium, which is less toxic, so minor spikes aren't a worry. Major spikes are still an issue as Ammonium is still toxic, and it exists in equilibrium with Ammonia, so ammonia still exists, just not as much.

[ineke]

Thanks Torface and Chris haven't had a look yet but they were fine last night. If they are Ok today will do full water tests- I know nitrates and nitrites are ok will need to check final TDS ,gh and kh and hopefully in a few days can catch out the shrimp and slowly add my mishlings- fingers crossed:)

[ineke]

All the shrimp were fine this morning very busy grazing on 6 weeks worth of bio film. Will be lots of fun trying to catch them out again NOT. Will see how they go hopefully the older mishlings can go in there next week. Will leave any berried girls and babies in the cube for a few more weeks just in case

[ineke]

My kamikazi shrimp are still all OK My readings are

TDS 146

GH 6

KH 3

PH 5.1

Ammonia 0.25 but very light

Nitrites 0

Nitrates 5

How much longer should I wait to put a few mishlings in. At the moment there are 2 CRS and 5 Rilli culls all doing well they were put in on the 2/7.

I can leave the mishlings out longer as they are quite OK in the cube but keen to let them have a bigger tank to roam in.

[ineke]

Ok I know you are all sick of my thread but I seriously want to know what to do next. The Wp's haven't changed the kamikazi shrimp are happy do I catch them out now and put a few of my mishlings in and see how they go? The ammonia although probably slightly less than the 0.25 as it is very light but still not yellow , hasn't changed for a couple of weeks. Do I just dive in and tank a chance? Well not me literally but is that what I should do or is there anything else anyone can suggest. The kamikazi shrimp have been in since the 3/7 :dejection:

[torface]

Are you sure you're not imagining this green tinge? LOL

[ineke]

No wish I was and if it were any other shrimp but the mishlings I wouldn't be asking I would just do it but not sure how tough these guys are.

[torface]

I reckon just chuck a couple in. If the crystals are fine, I don't see why they wont be.

[ineke]

Yes I'm leaning to that anyway if I only put a few in and no berried mamas or little babies I won't lose them all. Guess I have to stop being a worry wort. I can give advise to others but not good for myself!!

[torface]

Lol yes, well you have TBs now and a mischling berried to a KK, no?

My opinion is, if you lose a couple it's not the end of the world, but that's just me and im no expert lol

I reckon there MAY have been a hint of ammonia in my rack when I put my mischlings in, but I didn't have a choice as they were living in a bucket... and no deaths!

[ineke]

My mishling had her babies quite a few and they look like they be the Red wine or ruby little stripey ones that I can see they blend into the substrate and then suddenly they move and yep there goes another one! Very exciting not knowing what you have.

I'm going out for a while but when I get home I will try to catch the 2 crystals out boy that will be fun- not- and then put a few in. Thanks Tori it just helps to have someone mull it over with you.:encouragement: