Hi everybody. I am quite new in this hobby so please help me.
I started a 40g tank about two months ago. I cycled it for three weeks before adding the first fish. Since the first day I have been testing the water on a weekly basis (and more often while cycling it). I use an API Master Kit (drops), so results should be accurate.
Once Amonia and Nitrite were zero I added the first 4 Platys. Since that moment the pH has been constant at 8 and Nitrates at 40 (unless I am colour-blind or my colour chart in the test kit is not accurate).
I have been doing weekly pwc of 20%-25%. Before and after the pwc the levels are pretty much the same: pH is 8.0, Amonia and Nitrite are zero and Ntrate is 40.
Since the levels have been very much the same, regardless of the number of fish, I have assumed they are fine and nothing to worry about... until today were I have the following burning questiosn:
1) Is 40 too high for Nitrate? Should I try to lower it? How?
2) Should I try to get the pH down?
At the moment I have:
4 Platys
2 Mollys
4 Corydoras
5 Glass catfish
1 Apple snail
1 Swordtail
1 Siamese Fighting fish
Your help will be very much appreciated
I started a 40g tank about two months ago. I cycled it for three weeks before adding the first fish. Since the first day I have been testing the water on a weekly basis (and more often while cycling it). I use an API Master Kit (drops), so results should be accurate.
Once Amonia and Nitrite were zero I added the first 4 Platys. Since that moment the pH has been constant at 8 and Nitrates at 40 (unless I am colour-blind or my colour chart in the test kit is not accurate).
I have been doing weekly pwc of 20%-25%. Before and after the pwc the levels are pretty much the same: pH is 8.0, Amonia and Nitrite are zero and Ntrate is 40.
Since the levels have been very much the same, regardless of the number of fish, I have assumed they are fine and nothing to worry about... until today were I have the following burning questiosn:
1) Is 40 too high for Nitrate? Should I try to lower it? How?
2) Should I try to get the pH down?
At the moment I have:
4 Platys
2 Mollys
4 Corydoras
5 Glass catfish
1 Apple snail
1 Swordtail
1 Siamese Fighting fish
Your help will be very much appreciated