Four days after the plant disaster, and we’re seeing mixed results. Ammonia spiked from the melting plants, but the nitrite news is encouraging.
Test Results
| Parameter | Result | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| Ammonia | 1.0 ppm | UP from 0 (spike!) |
| Nitrite | 2.0 ppm | DOWN from 5.0! |
| Nitrate | 0 ppm | Plants absorbing |
| pH | 7.6 | Stable |
| Temperature | 75°F | Stable |
The Ammonia Spike
After holding at zero for days, ammonia jumped to 1.0 ppm. The culprit is clear: our new plants from Day 25 are melting as they acclimate.
This is normal plant behavior. When plants move to new water conditions, they often shed existing leaves and grow new ones adapted to your specific tank. The decomposing leaves release ammonia.
The spike should be temporary. Our established AOB bacteria should handle it within days.
The Nitrite Breakthrough!
Here’s the exciting news: nitrite finally dropped from 5.0 ppm to 2.0 ppm. After that extended plateau, the NOB bacteria have finally established a large enough colony to make real progress.
The trend is clearly downward. This is what we’ve been waiting for.
Day 29 - Mixed results but overall positive trajectory
Algae Bloom Appears
Remember that fertilizer we added on Day 24? We suspect it’s related: a green algae bloom has appeared on the glass and decorations.
It’s not severe, but it’s visible. The fertilizer gave algae a nutrient boost just as our plant losses reduced competition for those nutrients.
Our Nerite snails are working on it, but there’s more algae than they can handle alone.
New Plants Acclimating
The replacement plants from Day 25 are adjusting:
Water Lettuce: Looking great! Bright green, healthy roots developing. Much hardier than the Red Root Floaters we lost.
Hygrophila: Some lower leaves yellowing (acclimation melt) but tops look healthy
Brazilian Pennywort: Adapting well, already showing signs of growth
Give them another week, and they should be fully established.
Mixed Emotions
Today’s results capture the roller coaster of cycling:
- Ammonia went backwards (frustrating)
- Nitrite finally moving forward (encouraging)
- Algae appeared (annoying but manageable)
- New plants adapting (hopeful)
The overall trajectory is positive. We’re closer to the end than the beginning.
Status: Ammonia spike from plant melt - Nitrite finally dropping (5.0→2.0!) - Algae bloom (likely from fertilizer)