Help!! Water Values?

[Didger]

Hope that I am not asking too many questions???
I set up my 12 g AquaPod 5 days ago with 20 lbs LS and 16 lbs of uncured LR. No lights are being used yet.
I have had trouble controling the temp (possibly faulty heater) and it has been swinging around some.
I have been testing and the SG about 1024, Ammonia 0, PH 7.7. Nitrite 0.4 and Nitrate 0.5. none of these figures have changed in the 5 days.

I brought a water sample into the Hospital Lab and they found:
SG 1016, Ammonia 0, PH 6.5 and small traces of Nitrite and Nitrate!

The SG can be adjusted by adding salt.
What should I do about the PH?
Other messages I have read seem to imply that the Ammonia should build up in just a couple of days??

I know that full cycling can take time but should I have seen changes by now?

As usual thanks for the help.... Geoff aka Didger

 

[sadielynn]

Nope you are ok with the questions ....
I would get a diffrent tool to measure the spg in the tank ....I would not mix the salt in the tank at this point but rather to bring that number up rather than top off with plain water do so with salt water till you get the spg in to range ....as for the heater that is a possiblilty can you place it in another container with thermometer to rule out that the temp is not being affected by the room temp....since you dont say wether it is high or low ...... Bump the ph up abit how are you mixing your water ....you should be airating the water for 24 hours then add the salt and mix an addtional 24 hours if you bottle it up airate with a pump at least an hour before water changes in the future ........You can also look for a ph buffer to add to the tank others here have more experience in that than I do since I dont need to dose for that
I would say you are nearing the end of the cycle just keep testing one last thought is to perhaps get a new test kit yours may be bad (I know you had a hosp lab test but just for piece of mind) :mrgreen:

 

[Didger]

Many thanks again SadieLynn.
I am using Walmart distilled water and I did mix it and put an airstone in it for about 36 hours (it was a new tank so did it in situ). I have a gallon left over so will use this for top ups.
Yes I think that I must buy new test kits.
Thanks again for your help... Geoff

 

[skipm]

Your pH may also rise up some with the proper salinity, if not go with a buffer like Sadie suggested. What size is your heater? If it is too big when it comes on it may heat the water so quickly that by the time it shuts off the carryover raises the temp too high.

 

[Didger]

Ok good thought on the PH Skip.
Any experience with using buffers?
The haeter is an older glass cylinderical one, only 50 watts. I want a small titanium one to put in the filter box bot can't get one local, will have to go online.

Thanks... Geoff

 

[skipm]

I have used a buffer before, I liked to dose on the low side and slowly adjust the level up to where I needed it. I haven't used a buffer in a long time though, at least since I started using nothing but RO/DI.
If the heater is an old model it may use bimetal contacts that may be sticking, this would explain your heating problems. Newer heaters use solid state circuitry instead of bi-metal contacts so the newer ones are more accurate.