guppies4life
Aquarium Advice Newbie
- Joined
- Oct 27, 2021
- Messages
- 6
Hello friends,
Longtime reader, first time poster here. Love the forum. And please forgive the length of this post.
So, here's my problem. Set up a 5 gallon tank back in start of July after taking a wee break from fish-keeping, and ventured into the world of guppies. Previously had only kept betta fish. Let the tank cycle for a while before adding fish, got three, and have since added two more (with six weeks between).
I decided since guppies are a step up (in my mind) from betta, I should do regular water testing, make sure quality is ok. Got an API Freshwater Master Test Kit. And my first testing, all levels were pretty much ideal, that was in August.
To make a long story short...(too late)...I have now done four water tests spaced out over the past three months, each a little worse than before, and this most latest test today revealed:
PH: 6.4
Ammonia: .50
Nitrite: .5 - 1.0
Nitrate: 80-160 (somewhere in there)
I did a 50% water change and gravel and tank cleaning exactly one week ago, and also changed the filter. Was having a bit of a brown algae situation. So far so good...but the water quality results worry me. Especially the nitrates.
The tank has a corner carbon filter pump, and artificial decorations/plants.
Any advice would be much appreciated, not just in regards to fixing the current situation, but about regular maintenance suggestions as well? I want my guppies to be happy, and swim to their full potential!
Thanks in advance!!
Longtime reader, first time poster here. Love the forum. And please forgive the length of this post.
So, here's my problem. Set up a 5 gallon tank back in start of July after taking a wee break from fish-keeping, and ventured into the world of guppies. Previously had only kept betta fish. Let the tank cycle for a while before adding fish, got three, and have since added two more (with six weeks between).
I decided since guppies are a step up (in my mind) from betta, I should do regular water testing, make sure quality is ok. Got an API Freshwater Master Test Kit. And my first testing, all levels were pretty much ideal, that was in August.
To make a long story short...(too late)...I have now done four water tests spaced out over the past three months, each a little worse than before, and this most latest test today revealed:
PH: 6.4
Ammonia: .50
Nitrite: .5 - 1.0
Nitrate: 80-160 (somewhere in there)
I did a 50% water change and gravel and tank cleaning exactly one week ago, and also changed the filter. Was having a bit of a brown algae situation. So far so good...but the water quality results worry me. Especially the nitrates.
The tank has a corner carbon filter pump, and artificial decorations/plants.
Any advice would be much appreciated, not just in regards to fixing the current situation, but about regular maintenance suggestions as well? I want my guppies to be happy, and swim to their full potential!
Thanks in advance!!