chriznat20@msn.
Aquarium Advice Apprentice
I started my 55 gallon, with 2 whisper 30 bio filters about a month and 1 day ago. I have been verryyy gradually adding fish, about 2 at a time. I have 3 small tiger barbs, 1 orange and 1 blue gourami, a striped raphael, 1 med. pleco., and 1 ringed loach. Oh, and of course 1 rams horn snail and a few freshwater clams.
I didnt start testing my water until after the 3rd week that I had the aquarium (bought the brand new test kit off ebay and it took that long to get here) Anyways, The first time i tested the water, and I assumed i had already had my ammonia and nitrate "spikes" because for a few days after I added fish the water was a little cloudy, then it went away almost magically. Anyways, i tested the water and it was ok- ammonia was 1.5, nitrates were .15, ph around 7.5. IMO, that was pretty good for just starting out. Well!!! I tested my water yesterday around noon, just for the heck of it, and my ammonia was 7.0 + and my nitrates were 5.0+, totally off the charts. I immediately did a 30% water change and retested about 4 hours later, which the results were alott better (amm .5, nit .50)
Well I tested again this morning, keep in mind I havent fed the fish in 2 days because I am afraid that the levels will skyrocket again. This morning the ammonia is 1.0 and the nitrates 5.0 My ph is 7.8 Is my tank still cycling?? Like i said, ive had it with fish in it, for about one month and one day. Is there something else I should be doing? I added aquarium salt (about 5 teaspoons, not heaping either) gradually in hopes that this will protect my little fishy's gills. Please respond and let me know whats going on!!
I didnt start testing my water until after the 3rd week that I had the aquarium (bought the brand new test kit off ebay and it took that long to get here) Anyways, The first time i tested the water, and I assumed i had already had my ammonia and nitrate "spikes" because for a few days after I added fish the water was a little cloudy, then it went away almost magically. Anyways, i tested the water and it was ok- ammonia was 1.5, nitrates were .15, ph around 7.5. IMO, that was pretty good for just starting out. Well!!! I tested my water yesterday around noon, just for the heck of it, and my ammonia was 7.0 + and my nitrates were 5.0+, totally off the charts. I immediately did a 30% water change and retested about 4 hours later, which the results were alott better (amm .5, nit .50)
Well I tested again this morning, keep in mind I havent fed the fish in 2 days because I am afraid that the levels will skyrocket again. This morning the ammonia is 1.0 and the nitrates 5.0 My ph is 7.8 Is my tank still cycling?? Like i said, ive had it with fish in it, for about one month and one day. Is there something else I should be doing? I added aquarium salt (about 5 teaspoons, not heaping either) gradually in hopes that this will protect my little fishy's gills. Please respond and let me know whats going on!!