So I tested everything and am about to do a water change. These were the results.

pH-Very high 7.6

Ammonia-0

Nitrite-2.0

Nitrate-5.0

I understand that my tank is not cycled yet. I had an unplanned oscar arrival, lol. I know I have hard water at home. I have put three chemicals in the tank. Water conditioner and stress coat, Easy Balance with Nitrate Reduction granules, and a bacteria supplement.

It is a 37 gallon tank with a Eclipse Biowheel filter and also a Whisper in tank filter rated to 30 gallons. I am filtering to about 80 gallons. I put in some old tank water, filter media and gravel upon set-up about a week and a half ago.

The Biowheel is new, so I know it will take a bit to get established. I was planning on getting some Cycle www.petco.com/product/13403/NutraFin-Cyc...CoreCat=OnSiteSearch

Any other info? What should I do? Thanks!

~Sydney~ wrote:
you are getting to where you need be.... keep up the water change but do not touch yet the filtration...


how soon can you upgrade? the tank is too small for your fish...

I realize this. He is at this point, about 1.5 inches long. He has lots of room for now as well as plenty of filtration for his size. We will be moving in the spring and that is when I will get a larger tank. Sooner if he gets huge quickly. I am well acquainted with Oscars and will provide for him. I was given him but was told I was getting a betta. They left him on their front porch. I was not going to leave him there, so I have been scrambling to provide for him. I have always wanted an Oscar. I feel I have been doing a good job thus far.

It looks like your tank is nearly cycled. Keep testing and doing daily water changes until it is cycled, ammonia, nitrite 0 and nitrate rising

Your 37g will be ok for a while but you need to think about upgrading now. Oscars grow quick, about an inch a month so you might, and i mean might, be ok till spring

Can you pince some media from your other tanks to put in the oscar tank filter, this will speed up the cycle!

~Sydney~ wrote:


No...you have been doing a FANTASTIC job!!! I have no doubt he will have the room he need when he needs it because you clearly care greatly for the lucky little bugger!

Shaz

your PH is fine at 7.6. the cycle process goes like- ammonia broken down nitrites. Nitrites broken down to nitrates. you can see by the lack of ammonia the it is being converted to nitrites. soon the nitrites will convert to nitrates. your test would then show.
ammonia 0
nitrites 0
nitrates ??? this means the bio cycle is working in your filter and all is as it should be. as said you are almost there.