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Have a mature (12 years) 29 gal tank. All parameters stable. Hard water (GH 11 with KH 6) and pH of 7.8. Historically, Tetras do well. Current population as follows: 3- Buenos Aries Tetras 8- Serpae Tetras 5- Bloodfin Tetras Am looking to add some COLOR but new fish also need to be compatible...

Not a problem there. They're plastic in my tank! Haven't yet made the move to real plants. Someday...

6 Platys and 11 Tetras (3 Black Skirt, 3 White Skirt, 3 Lamp Eye, 2 Blood Fin). They all seem to be doing fine. Am just wondering if I should continue with salt or not.

You seem quite knowledgable about all things fish related. What's your opinion on salt?

The folks at Petsmart recommend it, but the more I read here, the less confidence I have in them. That's one of the reasons I love this forum (and iPad App). The theory is that Aquarium Salt adds beneficial electrolytes. I have started using Prime as my water conditioner. I believe this...

This should be a provocative question? Do you add Aquarium salt to your tanks as a part of general care and routine maintenance with water changes? If so, which fish is it best for? Or which fish should NOT have salt?

I'm learning more about this than I ever planned on but that's ok too. I just want a nice looking tank with HEALTHY fish. Sometimes, things just AREN'T as simple as they appear on the surface. I appreciate your help very much!

Threnjen, that is AWESOME! A simple way to determine the NH3 from the API test kit results. I just wish you had sent it an hour ago, as I just ordered one of the Seachem kits. Fortunately, it was only $17 on Amazon. It will be interesting to compare its test results with the chart data. THANK...

OS, as I'm trying to figure this out, I realized that I overlooked an important point in your post. You have stated that if my tank is testing the same Ammonia level as my tap water, the Biological filter is working properly. If it's really that simple, then it looks like I am in good shape...

I am TRYING to control the Ammonia with water changes and restoration of the Biological Filter. The complication here is that my tap water has 0.5-1.0 Ammonia in it, which is also what my tank is testing at. Common sense says that adding Ammonia to the tank is NOT going to eliminate Ammonia. My...

Here's the text from Prime's website: Frequently Asked Questions regarding Prime: Q. I am using Prime to control ammonia but my test kit says it is not doing anything; in fact, it looks like I added ammonia, what is going on? A. To avoid false readings of ammonia, use Seachem's MultiTest...

Well, I can't get to Prime's website now (server not responding)- I wanted to copy and paste their own instructions regarding Ammonia testing. Perhaps I misinterpreted what it said. It's great to know that folks are using it successfully with the API water test kit. If that is the case, then...

Looks to me like Prime and Amquel Plus are about the same in terms of what they do. The dosing is quite different- 5mL for 10 gallons for Amquel and 5mL for 50 gallons for Prime, so Amquel would be used at a rate 5 times faster than Prime. The primary difference for me is that Amquel is...

Ok, here's a new "wrinkle" in the mystery- but a great clue too! Just tested the water this morning. It appears that the mini cycle is progressing (in some respects) in that Nitrite has dropped (somewhere between 0 and 0.25- difficult to tell with the test kit but the tint is much closer to 0)...

1. What, in your opinion, makes a Prime a better water conditioner than STRESS COAT? 2. There was not a time when the tank was empty. In fact, the way it really happened, I started adding new smaller fish (Tetras & Platys) while the Bala was still in there. I woke up the next morning and the 3...

One other question... Have been scouring the web in addition to this forum to learn as much as I can about cycling. I am now convinced that I am into a "mini cycle." I have seen some discussion on other forums about STOPPING STRESS ZYME (but continuing STRESS COAT) with these large water...

Ok, no transition. I'll go to feeding every other day. Can move to one single large WC each day. Doing those things, how long will this "mini cycle" take to complete? I understand it's not an exact science- just looking for an estimate.

I feed in very small pinches, allowing them to consume it all before adding the next one. It seems like 6 pinches is about right. Anything more than that is probably too much. This tends to prevent any food from making it to the substrate. These guys have been fed twice daily since I got them...

Thanks for all of the suggestions and support! Does anyone have any idea how long it should take to recycle my tank? I'm down to one feeding per day. Doing two 25% WC a day to keep Ammonia levels "reasonable" and give the fish a fighting chance. Also testing water twice daily. I understand that...

Thanks! I will drop to feeding once a day and increase water changes to twice daily if needed.

I don't really mind doing the changes and will continue to do them as long as needed. I'm just curious as to why this is happening and when I can expect things to settle down.

Ok, I've got a 29 gallon tank. It's been going for several years. Aqueon 30 filter & artificial plants. Within last year, only had a large Pleco and adult Bala Shark (about 10 inches). Pleco died several months ago, leaving only Bala. Eventually found a local shop that would take him and find...

Thanks! Now, if I can just get things under control...

Ok, that makes sense (sort of). I use an old-fashioned gravel vacuum (siphon) to remove the water. Then, since I'm only dealing with 7 gallons (25%), I replace the water ONE GALLON AT A TIME using a milk jug (it's just easier than trying to do it with a 5-gallon bucket). So, based on that, it...

Why would that make a difference? Whichever method is used, I would only be changing 25% of the tank volume. I'm just concerned about putting too much of either product into the tank.