Hi -
I went to PetSmart a couple of days ago to get a fish for my 4-year-old. I know nothing about aquariums and am hoping to get all of the information (sometimes conflicting?) straight in our set up.
Here's what I have: 1 betta in a 3 gallon tank with filter and heater.
I followed the employee's advice and have been adding Top Fin bacteria starter into the conditioned water. Poor fish is already in the aquarium while it cycles, which now I know probably wasn't the best decision (again..total ignorance here. Didn't even know cycling was a thing)! I'm feeding the fish once every other day, just a few flakes.
I did purchase an ammonia test kit yesterday and am getting results that show some ammonia. My other test kits will come in a few days.
Should I just continue to follow the PetSmart employee's advice and do 2 more days of the bacteria starter? I got a little freaked out about his water and actually changed ~10% of it today, but now I'm doubting whether I should have done that. Argh!!
Can someone just tell me exactly what to do, given that our fish (Taco) is already inhabiting his maybe toxic home? I've read about the nitrogen cycle and understand why it needs to be done, but I've already started this whole thing and just really don't want to kill our little fishy.
Sorry, I know this question has probably been answered at least a billion times, but I have 2 little kids and not much time to search and make sense of all of this. So grateful for any advice. Thanks!!
I went to PetSmart a couple of days ago to get a fish for my 4-year-old. I know nothing about aquariums and am hoping to get all of the information (sometimes conflicting?) straight in our set up.
Here's what I have: 1 betta in a 3 gallon tank with filter and heater.
I followed the employee's advice and have been adding Top Fin bacteria starter into the conditioned water. Poor fish is already in the aquarium while it cycles, which now I know probably wasn't the best decision (again..total ignorance here. Didn't even know cycling was a thing)! I'm feeding the fish once every other day, just a few flakes.
I did purchase an ammonia test kit yesterday and am getting results that show some ammonia. My other test kits will come in a few days.
Should I just continue to follow the PetSmart employee's advice and do 2 more days of the bacteria starter? I got a little freaked out about his water and actually changed ~10% of it today, but now I'm doubting whether I should have done that. Argh!!
Can someone just tell me exactly what to do, given that our fish (Taco) is already inhabiting his maybe toxic home? I've read about the nitrogen cycle and understand why it needs to be done, but I've already started this whole thing and just really don't want to kill our little fishy.
Sorry, I know this question has probably been answered at least a billion times, but I have 2 little kids and not much time to search and make sense of all of this. So grateful for any advice. Thanks!!