Need advise in the Right direction.

**Murad** · 19th Jan 2012, 10:27 PM

Hi all,
Noob Needs some help with some questions.But first a few details on my set-up. I have a Fluval Ebi Nano Kit that was a gift from me for myself.

I had FSS as my substrate and i started cycling my tank on Dec. 31st. After 15 days, I learned in the forums that FSS was not getting a good review from experienced breeders here and my LFS. So i decide to change it to ADA since this would be my first shrimp tank that i would be better off in the long run . since i'm still cycling my tank now would be the best time to change to my substrate to ADA (New Amazonia). So i scooped out 99.9 % of the FSS and scooped in the ADA soil. Btw i left the water in in order to continue cycling the tank.The water turned totally dark and waited a day for it to settle down. I had to wipe off all the dust that stuck to the glass, plant, moss and filter. I have java moss, weeping moss, cuba and a few grass.tank is C02 injected. CRS TANK is what i'm trying to set-up for.

Questions:
1. Since the filter sucked up all the dust from the tank and i could see it attached to the foam inside. Is it ok to rinse the foams without interfering or stopping the bacteria from growing in my filter? will it stop my cycling of the tank? i am planning on using the water from the tank when i do wc.
2. i did a PH,NH3/NH4,GH,KH,NO2,NO3 test.
PH - 6.0? (with CO2 on)
NH3/NH4 - 4.0 ppm (Will a Big WC drop it? How much % of WC will do?)
NO2 - 0 ( is this right with other para that i have?)
NO3 - 40 ppm ( WC will drop this?)
GH - 9 ( confused with turns green part. even just a slight change to green is what i want? or needs to be dark green same color as solution?
KH - 3
3. Planning in changing Inside filter of FLUVAL to a HOB.Just waiting for LFS's shipment to arrive. end of January ( Will run two filters together inorder for the HOB to grow bacteria. Is one month good enough before i remove the old filter?Old filter will be used on a quarantined tank that i will be setting-up soon.
4.Last question. Don't have TDS instrument / RO/ RO-DI.Is it ok to store water to age in a 5g pail with cover? How long does the age water have to be? anything to add on the age water to make it safe for WC that i need to do?

Thanks In Advance for your advise,help

Sorry don't know how to post tank pic. I have it in my Gallery.

**Bratyboy2** · 20th Jan 2012, 12:32 AM

Go a head and rinse the foam in a little of the aquarium and top off the tank....don't do anything else and just let the nitrogen cycle take its course...