Recent content by DrewSith

Hi Elise! Added plants right away and the fish later, but added the Safestart with the fish. I'd read that that stuff introduced what was needed to move the cycling process along pretty quickly. Would being at 0ppm ammonia, 0ppm nitrite and 40ppm nitrate indicate it's cycled? Should I hold off...

Okay. I asked the question in the "Equipment" section, seems more appropriate to ask there, too.

Hi All My tank's filter contains activated carbon, which removes chemicals from the water, right? Am I making a mistake in adding ferts for the plants because the carbon is just removing what I've added? Do folks with planted tanks remove activated carbon from their filtration? Thanks!

I have another question, if you don't mind. The tank's filter contains activated carbon, which removes chemicals from the water, right? Am I making a mistake in adding ferts for the plants because the carbon is just removing what I've added? Do folks with planted tanks remove activated carbon...

So having the live plants will reduce the amount and frequency of water changes? I'll check the nitrates again this evening. Could I prepare, say, a gallon jug of pretreated water and have that on hand for the water change, or is it best to prepare the water shortly before adding it to the...

Yes, sorry. It was late. 40ppm nitrAtes, and I think it was the API kit that stated 40ppm was the expected range for a newer aquarium. I'd added Safestart after about a week (when I'd added the 2 fish). My plan is to do 30% water change 1x per week going forward. Does that sound right? Thanks...

Hey Everyone! So about a month ago, went to a parent/teacher conference for my kindergartner. Mom and I got to see a journal the kids have been working on, they write a simple sentence and then draw a pic about it. Well, one day they had to write about their favorite pet. He didn't have one, so...