sunnypseudo
Aquarium Advice Apprentice
I had gotten a brand new 10 gallon tank, and had accidentally killed three fish because I had never heard of cycling. Well I have now done so much reading that I am getting confused.
Currently I have a 10 gallon glass tank, heater, power filter, two types of plants, one is I believe an amazon sword, and the other I think is egeria densa. I bought both of these without knowing anything about plants just trying to find plants that a betta would like. I also have three spacious fish houses. Apparently some of the good things I had done when I had cycled with my fish were putting in gravel from my old tank, as well as a fish house from my old tank.
This was two and a half weeks ago. Since everything was first put up, my water temp has stayed between 74-76. After week one I managed to finally get a liquid master test kit. My ammonia and nitrites have been at zero. I've been testing directly before and directly after 25% - 50% water changes, as well as the next day to see if anything changes. They are not. I have had one fish survive me, and he's still doing well which is one jullii corydora. I do want to get corydoras since they are a schooling fish, and its suggested 3-6 corys together. But before I do anything, I want to see if anyone finds anything off..
So, ammonia and nitrites are at zero, but my nitrates are also zero. I do not want to add any chemicals while I still have one live fish, I feel as though he has gone through enough. Also, my pH level has been stable at about 7.8. I want to know if what I've read is correct, that a lower pH is only if you plan on breeding and I Do Not Want To Breed Fish. I am a novice at BEST, and basically know nothing outside from what I've read, but none of it in practice. If I am not planning on breeding, do I need to lower my pH level, or is it true that what I've read is, as long as it is stable and it doesn't spike that it's fine?
The plans for the future are picking up two to three more corydoras and one Betta. I do plan on adding corys first, one to two at a time, waiting a week or two doing constant tests to make sure I don't shock the levels again (like when first inadvertently cycling with live fish..).
Also if I need to drop my pH level, what is the best way to do that? I've been reading up on peat moss, and was planning on picking up a water onion. With having things in the tank to bring it down, will that allow it still to spike while doing water changes? Once all seems to be fine with the tank, I plan on doing 50% water changes once a week.
Ok I think I am done, I hope this makes some kind of sense because I'm feeling lost again, and I'm sorry this is like one jumbled mess of sentences with random question marks.
Currently I have a 10 gallon glass tank, heater, power filter, two types of plants, one is I believe an amazon sword, and the other I think is egeria densa. I bought both of these without knowing anything about plants just trying to find plants that a betta would like. I also have three spacious fish houses. Apparently some of the good things I had done when I had cycled with my fish were putting in gravel from my old tank, as well as a fish house from my old tank.
This was two and a half weeks ago. Since everything was first put up, my water temp has stayed between 74-76. After week one I managed to finally get a liquid master test kit. My ammonia and nitrites have been at zero. I've been testing directly before and directly after 25% - 50% water changes, as well as the next day to see if anything changes. They are not. I have had one fish survive me, and he's still doing well which is one jullii corydora. I do want to get corydoras since they are a schooling fish, and its suggested 3-6 corys together. But before I do anything, I want to see if anyone finds anything off..
So, ammonia and nitrites are at zero, but my nitrates are also zero. I do not want to add any chemicals while I still have one live fish, I feel as though he has gone through enough. Also, my pH level has been stable at about 7.8. I want to know if what I've read is correct, that a lower pH is only if you plan on breeding and I Do Not Want To Breed Fish. I am a novice at BEST, and basically know nothing outside from what I've read, but none of it in practice. If I am not planning on breeding, do I need to lower my pH level, or is it true that what I've read is, as long as it is stable and it doesn't spike that it's fine?
The plans for the future are picking up two to three more corydoras and one Betta. I do plan on adding corys first, one to two at a time, waiting a week or two doing constant tests to make sure I don't shock the levels again (like when first inadvertently cycling with live fish..).
Also if I need to drop my pH level, what is the best way to do that? I've been reading up on peat moss, and was planning on picking up a water onion. With having things in the tank to bring it down, will that allow it still to spike while doing water changes? Once all seems to be fine with the tank, I plan on doing 50% water changes once a week.
Ok I think I am done, I hope this makes some kind of sense because I'm feeling lost again, and I'm sorry this is like one jumbled mess of sentences with random question marks.