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JoeD
Aquarium Advice Regular
Right on! I'm bummed that I'm out of town on business this week. I'll be doing a PWC on Sat... BTW Mrs says the kids are doing great!
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Right on! I'm bummed that I'm out of town on business this week. I'll be doing a PWC on Sat... BTW Mrs says the kids are doing great!
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JoeD
Aquarium Advice Regular
Still a bit unclear on how long I should wait to test after a PWC?
Testing just a few minutes after you do a water change will be fine. As soon as the new water added mixes well with water in the tank, you can start looking for results. If you have 1.0ppm ammonia in your tank, and you do a 50% PWC, the new ammonia level will be 0.5ppm (unless you have ammonia in your tap water).
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JoeD
Aquarium Advice Regular
Eeesh, Been 4 days since I tested. After a 25% PWC
Ammonia is .25
Rites are .20
RAtes are 2.5
I think I'll do another one tomorrow...
Ammonia is .25
Rites are .20
RAtes are 2.5
I think I'll do another one tomorrow...
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JoeD
Aquarium Advice Regular
Noticing the water is a bit cloudy today. I've been on top of my upkeep, is this normal? Should I add some of that De-clouder stuff? More PWC's?
Is it white in color, or green, or brown?
If it is white, is a bacteria bloom, and is perfectly normal in newly established aquariums. Just stay on top of your PWCs as normal in response to ammonia and nitrite. The cloudiness will subside in a few days. I would not recommend wasting your money on the chemicals. This will run its course of its own volition. Chemical additives to fix problems are rarely the best solution.
If it is green or brown in color, than the problem is something else entirely. If you cannot tell for sure what color the cloudiness is, you can stick some tank water in a clear glass and set it on top of some white paper. Look straight down on it, and you will be able to tell the color for sure. I am betting it is white/bacterial though since the tank is new.
If it is white, is a bacteria bloom, and is perfectly normal in newly established aquariums. Just stay on top of your PWCs as normal in response to ammonia and nitrite. The cloudiness will subside in a few days. I would not recommend wasting your money on the chemicals. This will run its course of its own volition. Chemical additives to fix problems are rarely the best solution.
If it is green or brown in color, than the problem is something else entirely. If you cannot tell for sure what color the cloudiness is, you can stick some tank water in a clear glass and set it on top of some white paper. Look straight down on it, and you will be able to tell the color for sure. I am betting it is white/bacterial though since the tank is new.
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JoeD
Aquarium Advice Regular
Yes, it is White cloudy. Noticed it after my last PWC. Will the Bacteria bloom spike my Ammonia and Nitrites? Does this mean my Cycle is almost done?
It will not cause any additional spike in ammonia. You could see the nitrites start to climb higher in the next few days. It is an indication that your cycle is progressing... whether it is almost done I cannot answer... because of all the factors involved, it is really hard to say just how long a cycle will take. I have seen tanks cycle in 2 weeks, and I have seen tanks take 2 months.
What are you water parameters (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate) testing out at today?
What are you water parameters (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate) testing out at today?
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JoeD
Aquarium Advice Regular
Today:
Ammonia .25
Nitrites .20
NitrAtes 2.5
Ammonia .25
Nitrites .20
NitrAtes 2.5
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JoeD
Aquarium Advice Regular
Awesome! Any recommendations on cool Bottom fish?
The Neons and Platties Got the middle covered and guppies take care of the top, just not sure about bottom fish. Also I plan on getting a mystery snail and a few ghost shrimp.
The Neons and Platties Got the middle covered and guppies take care of the top, just not sure about bottom fish. Also I plan on getting a mystery snail and a few ghost shrimp.
Homedog98
Aquarium Advice Addict
Cories are good.
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JoeD
Aquarium Advice Regular
Right.
Yes, 20gal tank
Currently:
platties X2
Neons X5
Thinking of adding:
Guppies X3
Mystery Snail X1
Ghost Shrimp X2
Bottom fish X3????
Yes, 20gal tank
Currently:
platties X2
Neons X5
Thinking of adding:
Guppies X3
Mystery Snail X1
Ghost Shrimp X2
Bottom fish X3????
Ok... cories would be an ok choice. They stay pretty small. I have never had them, I am sure someone can give further advice on them.
You can add a few more ghost shrimp... they add almost no bioload and with 2, you would never see 'em. I think 10 would be a good number.
Other than that, looks like you should be good.
You can add a few more ghost shrimp... they add almost no bioload and with 2, you would never see 'em. I think 10 would be a good number.
Other than that, looks like you should be good.
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JoeD
Aquarium Advice Regular
Nice, I will do more GS and maybe go to 5 guppies, but that's prob all my 20gal can handle.
Homedog98
Aquarium Advice Addict
Cories are GREAT! They are amicable, and love all other fish. Three of them would work fine, but four would be even better!
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JoeD
Aquarium Advice Regular
Thanks for the recommendation Homedog!
Homedog98
Aquarium Advice Addict
Your welcome!
