Got a 29G tank for xmas knowing nothing about aquarium sciences.
Done some online research, , spoken to several fish store "experts".
Would appreciate some reliable advice.
29 G planted fresh. started cycling with 6 leopard danios. Added 5 cardinal tetras 1.5 weeks later. Now know that that's too many too soon. However, all still alive, 4 weeks later.
Rough go, many water changes. Idiot that I am, I didn't test my water before I started. Was doing daily water changes as ammonia and NO2 constantly high. Finally decided to test my water; high ammonia content. Am now buying water. Reverse osmosis treated.
Ammonia fell to next to nil, NO2 remained through the roof. Danios hiding. Did a 50% followed directly by another 50% change and they came out of hiding and seemed to be playing. Then today I did another 50%.
Questions:
(today's levels
(ph 6.7)
(NH .1)
(NO2 .25)
(NO3 5.0)
- In the event that NO2 continues to rise, I should continue with water changes? ( some people say no, but that seems unreasonable providing there is still some minimal amounts for conversion...)
- How much NO3 really is reasonable and safe? (I've read everything from 10 is too high, to anything below 40 is good...)
- Once levels fall to 0 and NO3 is acceptable, how much can I clean the tank (leaving the filter alone) without causing a problem?
really would appreciate any and all help that you may take the time to offer "totalnewb"
thanks in advance
Done some online research, , spoken to several fish store "experts".
Would appreciate some reliable advice.
29 G planted fresh. started cycling with 6 leopard danios. Added 5 cardinal tetras 1.5 weeks later. Now know that that's too many too soon. However, all still alive, 4 weeks later.
Rough go, many water changes. Idiot that I am, I didn't test my water before I started. Was doing daily water changes as ammonia and NO2 constantly high. Finally decided to test my water; high ammonia content. Am now buying water. Reverse osmosis treated.
Ammonia fell to next to nil, NO2 remained through the roof. Danios hiding. Did a 50% followed directly by another 50% change and they came out of hiding and seemed to be playing. Then today I did another 50%.
Questions:
(today's levels
(ph 6.7)
(NH .1)
(NO2 .25)
(NO3 5.0)
- In the event that NO2 continues to rise, I should continue with water changes? ( some people say no, but that seems unreasonable providing there is still some minimal amounts for conversion...)
- How much NO3 really is reasonable and safe? (I've read everything from 10 is too high, to anything below 40 is good...)
- Once levels fall to 0 and NO3 is acceptable, how much can I clean the tank (leaving the filter alone) without causing a problem?
really would appreciate any and all help that you may take the time to offer "totalnewb"
thanks in advance