Hey guys,
I've started up an smallish (55L) aquarium around 2 weeks ago, from the look of the ammonia test results, it looks like the bacteria that converts ammonia isn't present yet, is it normal?
I started my aquarium with 6 Neon Danios and 3 Cory catfish. I wish I have read around first and did the fish-less cycle. It's probably too late now. All I want to do now is to get the cycle going without much harm to the fish.
For the past week, I'm detecting constant readings of 0.5ppm ammonia, with 0ppm nitrites, and 5ppm nitrates. The reading of ammonia seemed constant and doesn't have signs of increase. I've been doing small 10-15% water changes with Prime, essentailly leaving some food for the bacteria in the form of ammonium. Even with no water change for a couple of days, the ammonia/ammonium level is not increasing, which I find odd...
However, when I last contacted my local aquarium shop, they advised me to stop using prime and stop with the water changes. Am I doing the wrong thing?
I know Prime binds the ammonia temporarily for 24-48hrs into a harmless chemical (for the fish) called ammonium, so the fish won't be affected by it, and I also know it only works up towards 1ppm. That's what my friend recommanded to me to do.
My aquarium have two bunch of long grass, a small bunch of java fern and a medium sized anubias.
My friend brought over some ceramic balls from his established aquarium and I've placed those in the filter section of the tank, where water flows through. However, there's been no change of ammonia/ammonium readings.
I only feed the fish lightly once per day, one small tiny spoonful of sinking pellets.
What should I do? Keep going with the water changes to reduce the ammonia? or leave it as 0.5ppm? and stop using Prime?
All these conflicting information is kinda confusing...
For your reference, I've initially used API Quick Start to 'jump start' the tank, but haven't used it ever since. Should I give that a go again or just wait it out?
Any response will be really appreciated!
Thanks!
I've started up an smallish (55L) aquarium around 2 weeks ago, from the look of the ammonia test results, it looks like the bacteria that converts ammonia isn't present yet, is it normal?
I started my aquarium with 6 Neon Danios and 3 Cory catfish. I wish I have read around first and did the fish-less cycle. It's probably too late now. All I want to do now is to get the cycle going without much harm to the fish.
For the past week, I'm detecting constant readings of 0.5ppm ammonia, with 0ppm nitrites, and 5ppm nitrates. The reading of ammonia seemed constant and doesn't have signs of increase. I've been doing small 10-15% water changes with Prime, essentailly leaving some food for the bacteria in the form of ammonium. Even with no water change for a couple of days, the ammonia/ammonium level is not increasing, which I find odd...
However, when I last contacted my local aquarium shop, they advised me to stop using prime and stop with the water changes. Am I doing the wrong thing?
I know Prime binds the ammonia temporarily for 24-48hrs into a harmless chemical (for the fish) called ammonium, so the fish won't be affected by it, and I also know it only works up towards 1ppm. That's what my friend recommanded to me to do.
My aquarium have two bunch of long grass, a small bunch of java fern and a medium sized anubias.
My friend brought over some ceramic balls from his established aquarium and I've placed those in the filter section of the tank, where water flows through. However, there's been no change of ammonia/ammonium readings.
I only feed the fish lightly once per day, one small tiny spoonful of sinking pellets.
What should I do? Keep going with the water changes to reduce the ammonia? or leave it as 0.5ppm? and stop using Prime?
All these conflicting information is kinda confusing...
For your reference, I've initially used API Quick Start to 'jump start' the tank, but haven't used it ever since. Should I give that a go again or just wait it out?
Any response will be really appreciated!
Thanks!