Another new guy with a couple questions.

[shrimpy4]

That's quite a discount they're offering on those rocks.

[froggydogg]

I have an interesting situation. The nitrite level in my tank is still hanging around 1-2 PPM while keeping my Ammonia at a steady ~1 PPM and the light has been off the past week.

My issue is that my window for ordering the shrimp from Mustafa is shrinking, as the weather is starting to get cooler here (early for this time of year, around 58 degrees some mornings). Should the water be safe enough at this point (been cycling it since July 31) to add the one shrimp I have from the ecosphere, then order the other 10? Or should I continue to cycle it until my nitrite completely disappears, and possibly only have a single shrimp in it until next June?

Do other shrimp suppliers ship regardless of outside temperature? I'd hate to have any die in shipping, but I'd hate to have cycled this tank only to have wait almost another year to use it.

Mustafa (or anyone else), any suggestions? I notice you haven't been active lately.

[froggydogg]

In reading up on getting a high nitrIte reading to come down, I've read that a large % water change might help, as they might be too high to continue the cycle. I've also read advice against it. Would a partial water change help or hinder my process here?

I've been in the nitrIte spike stage for over two weeks now. NitrIte is at 1-5ppm (I have a hard time differentiating between that range) constantly. I'll stop adding ammonia for a day or two, I've only been keeping it around 1ppm (currently @ 0.25ppm) which almost disappears overnight. Last time I tested nitrAtes they were around 20ppm, so I am getting some. I'll have to test that later.

[KenCotigirl]

To be honest I no longer test my new tanks. I set them up. Wait a couple months. Get some good biofilm and algae growth. Add snails and macro algae. When i see baby snails in the tank i add shrimp.

[KenCotigirl]

To be honest I no longer test my new tanks. I set them up. Wait a couple months. Get some good biofilm and algae growth. Add snails and macro algae. When i see baby snails in the tank i add shrimp.

Weird. Double post. Sorry.