Water parameters in nano with new aquasoil

[chris_todd]

So we planted Katie's nano last weekend, and used that new aquasoil we got. She's using mostly slow-growing plants, and not very many of them.

Our tap water is pH 7.6-7.8, GH 8*, KH 4*, 10 ppm Nitrates.

One week later, the water is:
pH < 6.0
Nitrates 0
GH 2
KH unmeasureable
NH3/NH4 - at least 8 ppm (higher than my API kit can measure)

I did an 80% water change, which increased the pH to 7.2, but only lowered the ammonia/um to about 2 ppm.

So how many 80% water changes am I going to have to do before I can safely put fish in this tank? And is this pattern of softening, acidifying, and increasing NH3/NH4 consistent with using new Amazonia? Or should I be looking for other causes?

[ingg]

It is consistent with Aquasoil - give it time, it leaches off.

Do a couple large initial water changes in the first week. But then - Let it cycle on its own, the water changes won't stop it from leaching.

It is usually along the lines of 6-9 weeks of cycle time if I recall correctly.

[SCMurphy]

Use water from an existing tank (algae free if possible) and do daily (as close as you can get to daily) 20% waterchanges for the next two weeks.

[Judi]

I've always done lot of water changes in the beginning, but it never occurred to me to use water from an established tank. I'm going to try that this time.