hello everybody, here I am finally and I am in so much trouble.
I started my first ever aquarium three weeks ago and made already so many mistakes. I thought I did my homework but I have to admit that it was not enough.
First mistake: only a 10 gal tank. oh what a headache
Second mistake: after one week added three platy fish.....and used the gravel vacuum....
After two weeks added three cory cat fish. I was worried about the mess on the gravel....PLEASE don't smack me.....I know already that was stupid.
Two days later the disaster hit:
Ammonia 1.0
Nitrate 40
Nitrite 1.0
rush to pets smart for advise. I had to use ammonia neutralizer for two days with filter out.
ok I did that together with daily 30% water changes. After four days I put the filter back in.
Now I don't understand my daily water testing.
Ammonia stays at 0.5 but I have zero
Nitrite or Nitrate.
That is confusing to me and I don't understand where I am in the cycling process. It seems that this neutralizer messed everything up.
PH stays stabile by 7.5.
My fish is doing fine thank God. What a dummy I am
I reduced the food, change every day 30% of the water because of the ammonia. I leave the gravel alone!! Can anybody tell me what is happening in my tank? Should I just be patient now and continue with what I am doing or what? Please help.
I started my first ever aquarium three weeks ago and made already so many mistakes. I thought I did my homework but I have to admit that it was not enough.
First mistake: only a 10 gal tank. oh what a headache
Second mistake: after one week added three platy fish.....and used the gravel vacuum....
After two weeks added three cory cat fish. I was worried about the mess on the gravel....PLEASE don't smack me.....I know already that was stupid.
Two days later the disaster hit:
Ammonia 1.0
Nitrate 40
Nitrite 1.0
rush to pets smart for advise. I had to use ammonia neutralizer for two days with filter out.
ok I did that together with daily 30% water changes. After four days I put the filter back in.
Now I don't understand my daily water testing.
Ammonia stays at 0.5 but I have zero
Nitrite or Nitrate.
That is confusing to me and I don't understand where I am in the cycling process. It seems that this neutralizer messed everything up.
PH stays stabile by 7.5.
My fish is doing fine thank God. What a dummy I am
I reduced the food, change every day 30% of the water because of the ammonia. I leave the gravel alone!! Can anybody tell me what is happening in my tank? Should I just be patient now and continue with what I am doing or what? Please help.