reversemarcosis
Aquarium Advice Apprentice
- Joined
- Jul 8, 2011
- Messages
- 13
I'm new to AA. Unfortunately I fell under the bacteria in a bottle pyramid scheme. Unfortunately, I was given quite a few fish the day I set up my tank as a starter gift so I actually haven't bought a single fish yet. I know, this is horrible, I'm trying to keep all the fish alive cause I really like them alot, but am at a loss. There have been some casualties already, but the rest seem relatively happy. On the plus side, I have gotten addicted to fish keeping. I love doing the water changes and can stare at the tank forever. I want to pursue the hobby further, but I'm stuck.
I have a 50gal tank and I'm currently stocking.
1x Rainbow Shark
5x Rosy Barbs (one is sick)
1x GSP (in the process of getting another tank to put him in, he was a gift and is starting to harass other fish and start a salt or brackish tank in the meantime)
6x Flame Tetras
3x Black Mollies (2x Harp Tailed)
1x Black Ghost Knifefish
The tank is going on its THIRD week. I got an API testing Kit and I'm currently testing
NH3 between .5ppm and 1ppm (it kills me that the fish are being exposed to so much NH3)
Nitrites at 0ppm
Nitrates between 10ppm to 20ppm
I'm attributing this to the Tetra bacteria in a bottle recommended at the pet store. Im constantly doing PWC to lower the ammonia level, but there seems to be little to no progress. Will ordering an active sponge help? Will I kill the fish? What can I do? I really care about the fish and have grown attached to the rainbow shark, the GSP, and the Knifefish in particular. What can I do? The petstore guy said that the bacteria in a bottle was an instant cycler, FALSE! Help!
I have a 50gal tank and I'm currently stocking.
1x Rainbow Shark
5x Rosy Barbs (one is sick)
1x GSP (in the process of getting another tank to put him in, he was a gift and is starting to harass other fish and start a salt or brackish tank in the meantime)
6x Flame Tetras
3x Black Mollies (2x Harp Tailed)
1x Black Ghost Knifefish
The tank is going on its THIRD week. I got an API testing Kit and I'm currently testing
NH3 between .5ppm and 1ppm (it kills me that the fish are being exposed to so much NH3)
Nitrites at 0ppm
Nitrates between 10ppm to 20ppm
I'm attributing this to the Tetra bacteria in a bottle recommended at the pet store. Im constantly doing PWC to lower the ammonia level, but there seems to be little to no progress. Will ordering an active sponge help? Will I kill the fish? What can I do? I really care about the fish and have grown attached to the rainbow shark, the GSP, and the Knifefish in particular. What can I do? The petstore guy said that the bacteria in a bottle was an instant cycler, FALSE! Help!