Hi all,
I'm new to the forum and to fish keeping. I ask for your grace in dealing with me, as I'm sure I've made plenty of mistakes.
I have a 29 freshwater gallon tank, gravel substrate, some fake plants, and 5 serpae tetra from a reputable local shop in the greater Chicago area. We lost 2 around the 2-week mark, so we have 3 left.
Three months in, I'm still stuck in the ammonia phase. Been there solidly since week 4. I've tried partial water changes (weeks 5 and 6) and TurboStart (week 9). Both helped lower the ammonia temporarily.
I have a hang-on-the-back filter, and the guy from the store sold me a new cartridge 3 weeks ago to go in front that supposedly helps control the ammonia. No help, though I realize that changing even part of the filter system may have been ill-advised.
pH = 7.8, Ammonia = 2.0, no nitrites/nitrates ever. Using API liquid kit to test. Following all instructions to the "t". Had a bloom of diatoms for weeks 4-8. No have a bloom of green algae, though the tank gets no direct sunlight and I only keep the tank light on for 2-3 hours a day.
Is it time to throw in the proverbial towel, give the fish back, and start over doing a fish-less cycle?
I'm new to the forum and to fish keeping. I ask for your grace in dealing with me, as I'm sure I've made plenty of mistakes.
I have a 29 freshwater gallon tank, gravel substrate, some fake plants, and 5 serpae tetra from a reputable local shop in the greater Chicago area. We lost 2 around the 2-week mark, so we have 3 left.
Three months in, I'm still stuck in the ammonia phase. Been there solidly since week 4. I've tried partial water changes (weeks 5 and 6) and TurboStart (week 9). Both helped lower the ammonia temporarily.
I have a hang-on-the-back filter, and the guy from the store sold me a new cartridge 3 weeks ago to go in front that supposedly helps control the ammonia. No help, though I realize that changing even part of the filter system may have been ill-advised.
pH = 7.8, Ammonia = 2.0, no nitrites/nitrates ever. Using API liquid kit to test. Following all instructions to the "t". Had a bloom of diatoms for weeks 4-8. No have a bloom of green algae, though the tank gets no direct sunlight and I only keep the tank light on for 2-3 hours a day.
Is it time to throw in the proverbial towel, give the fish back, and start over doing a fish-less cycle?