First tank ever not sure what’s going on

[Wonlee808]

Hey guys I finally pulled the trigger and set up my first tank just followed what I’ve been watching on YouTube and google searches. I’m on my second week trying to cycle the tank but I have no idea how it should be at this point I’ve added seachem prime, clarity and api QuickStart. I’ve also been ghost feeding maybe 2 times a week. At first the nitrate would get up to about 50 ppm then I would to a 25% water change only had to do this twice now nitrate show around 10ppm I’ve never seen any nitrite in my testing. I have one mystery snail in there and that’s it. Now some of my plants are growing roots from the stems not sure what to do about them. To be honest I don’t even know what plants I have in there I went to the local store and they had a deal so that’s what I went with. Can some please let me know if all this is normal or is there some changes I have to make. Thank you

[Tony s]

On 8/20/2024 at 10:27 PM, Wonlee808 said:

at this point I’ve added seachem prime, clarity and api QuickStart

Not sure you need all of this at this point. Prime to remove chlorine and chloramine from your tap water after a water change. QuickStart is your source for beneficial bacteria. It only needs to be added a couple of times in the beginning. Clarity is just a water clarifier. This is the one you really don’t need currently. It just precipitates out cloudiness. Since you don’t have any fish, not really needed.

 

gohst feeding can be as much an art as a science.the goal is to get your ammonia up high enough to grow your bacteria into a strong colony. The desired result is ammonia at around a 2ppm level. Once you’re there, you can really stop the ghost feeding. The you just wait around until your ammonia goes to zero, and your nitrites comes up, then more waiting for your nitrites to go to zero and your nitrates rise.

since you’re seeing nitrates, your cycle should be complete. I’d do some testing and if no ammonia or nitrites, you’re cycled. Possibly a small bacteria colony so go slow adding fish. Gives it a chance to keep up. 
 

For your plants. Stem plants will grow roots up and down the stem. Perfectly normal. Makes them easier to propagate.

[Wonlee808]

Thank you I just have the test strips and it dose not have ammonia tester on it so the only thing I was able to see was nitrite and nitrate I guess I’m getting confused because I haven’t tested for ammonia and was not seeing any nitrite in my testing. So I wasn’t sure how long to wait before adding a little fish. And for the stem plants is there anything I can do to help prevent the roots growing like that ? I’m just curious as none of the stem plants at the store or setups I’ve seen online have the roots like that but like u said everywhere I read says it’s completely normal 

[reefhugger]

On 8/20/2024 at 10:27 PM, Wonlee808 said:

watching on YouTube and google searches.

It's good to see you asking questions on this forum.  This is a safe place to get accurate information from experienced fish and plant lovers.  The Aquarium Co-op site has excellent videos on cycling tanks and plant and fish keeping.  I have to say...your tank looks nice!  I like the lay out of wood and plants.  

[Tony s]

On 8/21/2024 at 5:02 AM, Wonlee808 said:

just have the test strips and it dose not have ammonia tester

Yeah, you’ll need some wat to test for ammonia. Weather strips or drops. Drops are more accurate depending on your ph. Especially on a new tank. That’s something you’ll need to watch constantly at first. Ammonia being the most poisonous. When it’s at a confirmed zero and nitrites are zero you’re ready for fish.  For the stem plants, the rootlets should not get very long looking more like hairs. It helps them grow new plants. So perfectly normal