Magicmarymac
Aquarium Advice Freak
First, I want to thank everyone on this forum for all of your advice. I followed up on that advice and did lots and lots of reading, which led to some thoughts.
1. I am nearly positive that my original 12-gallon tank, (and the 24 fish within), suffered from Old Tank Syndrome. This was new to me. I had too many fish, but they seemed "happy" -- in spite of very few PWCs.
2. For my birthday, the beginning of October, I got a new 36 gallon tank and, at the advice of a friend, siphoned up 50-60% the nasty, nearly black "water" from the gravel of the 12 gallon tank to help cycle the new tank. Truthfully, this DID result in a whole bunch of immediate nitrates in the 36...
3. In spite of having two tanks, I still HAD too many fish, so a bunch were returned this weekend, including a common pleco that had been sold to me as a BN.
4. So now, both tanks have readings that are stable, (see below), the tanks are not overstocked according to the calculator, (see profile), they are now newly planted, and my Python is repaired so the PWCs are now possible.
I thank you all again for your patience with me--I may be old, but I am learning... ... and I welcome your comments.
Mary
PH
Tap: 7.4
12: 7.4
36 7.4
AMMO: All zero
Nitrite: All zero
Nitrate
Tap 3 (estimate, it's hard to read)
12 20
36 40
1. I am nearly positive that my original 12-gallon tank, (and the 24 fish within), suffered from Old Tank Syndrome. This was new to me. I had too many fish, but they seemed "happy" -- in spite of very few PWCs.
2. For my birthday, the beginning of October, I got a new 36 gallon tank and, at the advice of a friend, siphoned up 50-60% the nasty, nearly black "water" from the gravel of the 12 gallon tank to help cycle the new tank. Truthfully, this DID result in a whole bunch of immediate nitrates in the 36...
3. In spite of having two tanks, I still HAD too many fish, so a bunch were returned this weekend, including a common pleco that had been sold to me as a BN.
4. So now, both tanks have readings that are stable, (see below), the tanks are not overstocked according to the calculator, (see profile), they are now newly planted, and my Python is repaired so the PWCs are now possible.
I thank you all again for your patience with me--I may be old, but I am learning... ... and I welcome your comments.
Mary
PH
Tap: 7.4
12: 7.4
36 7.4
AMMO: All zero
Nitrite: All zero
Nitrate
Tap 3 (estimate, it's hard to read)
12 20
36 40