I'm getting back into aquariums now after many years and I started cycling my aquarium on Saturday (February 7th, 2026).
The aquarium is 27 liters. The pH is at 7.5 and won't change. The biofilm has just started forming.
I'm using:
• Overnite (biological accelerator with nitrifying bacteria) — 3 ml every 2 days
• OT (water conditioner to remove chlorine and heavy metals) — 3 ml every 2 days
Only today I started adding betta food as an ammonia source, I'm adding 3 grains per day.
The Monte Carlo carpet has already come loose several times and now I'm finding it more yellowish, and some parts have even darkened. I'm worried it might be melting.
The aquarium is only cycling, still without fish.
Is this routine adequate for 27 L? Is a pH of 7.5 a problem at this stage? And is the appearance of the Monte Carlo normal adaptation or could it be dying?
Posted by No_School7244
2 Comments
First off, gorgeous landscape. Absolutely jealous. Second, I find plants melting is normal especially when newly added. I never had luck with Monte Carlo tho so good luck.
Nice scape! I’m planning a rimless for my friend with a stick/moss tree also.
To your question, that sounds like it hasn’t even been enough time for the fish food to break down and cause an ammonia spike, but also with that amount of food there may not be enough to cause an adequate ammonia spike in the first place.
The Monte Carlo should be fine nutrients-wise if it’s on aquasoil, so also not sure what’s going on with that but if it’s yellowing it’s not happy. Maybe go back to the care sheet and see what could be missing. Also if it was grown emersed (most retailers and tissue cultures grow aquarium plants this way) it could be a normal melting process before the plant grows its submersed leaves.
Do you have the liquid test kit? Strips are notoriously inaccurate. You’ll want to see the ammonia spike, then in a week or two a nitrite spike, then in a week or two a nitrate spike.
As a caveat: It’s been a long time since I cycled an aquarium- when I did I used pure ammonia rather than the fish food method, and dosed 2ppm. In my limited experience I would suggest to put a bigger dose of fish food in and then just leave it alone to rot for a week, and then test ammonia, and go from there. If you do have a local fish store or an aquarium nerd friend you could also ask for a squeeze of their filter sponge gunk and add that- probably the most effective bacterial supplement and should speed up the process considerably! Good luck.