Recent content by Vic Vega

Just keep an eye on it, do a ~40-50% pwc each day if you can (doubling up on the Prime), and should be back to normal soon :)

If you recently added more fish you're probably going through a mini cycle where the beneficial bacteria is growing to keep up with the increased levels of toxins from the new fish. Should only last a week or so. Not to mention, if you're using the liquid API test kit it's virtually impossible...

As long as you have a healthy biofilter (cycled tank, not overstocked, etc.), the water conditioner you use with detoxify the ammonia long enough to be consumed by the beneficial bacteria....won't be an issue. I live in FL and it's .5 out of the tap all day long, but test a few hours after a...

And honestly stressing the fish from water changes is of zero concern to me. They get used to it and will always appreciate clean water over toxins. Do you have a Python or other water changer?

New fish added recently? Have you tested the water straight out of the tap? If .5 wasn't a typo, it's not unheard of to see that in city water.

How long has the aquarium been set up? Perhaps you have another thread I haven't seen, but assuming it's a new tank cycling with fish?

There is literally no such thing as too many water changes, keep doing 50% pwc's until you're in good levels. You can also double up on Prime without ill effects. That will help detoxify the ammonia / nitrites.

Side note on this- any recommendations for sites to buy healthy plants? Went to about 5 LFS' and wasn't impressed. Mostly saltwater stores here in FL

Thanks guys. I'm gonna start off with a simple clip on LED and see if it can remotely sustain plant life, if need be I have a double bright LED designed for plants....but it doesn't look as slick. Will change if I need to. Trying to keep this tank nice and simple as far as maintenance goes...

Hi all, I'm setting up a simple 22 long for a single Betta and some RCS. I will be planting low-light plants with eco complete. Is there a way to ensure I have killed any algae on the plants before putting them in the aquarium? I've heard of soaking them in hydrogen peroxide or Excel. Any...

Most modern water supplies use chloramines which do not evaporate out of water. Need a good conditioner like Prime.

There's really no such thing as too many water changes (make sure you're using a quality conditioner like Seachem Prime to help detoxify the ammonia and nitrites), and yep, absolutely need to do several large ones ASAP. Here's a great guide on fish-in cycling-...

Totally get it, but step one is getting them back down to your tap water level. From there, I think a couple big ones (50%) per week should be okay. Over the next few days I'd do several though to drop them down.

Okay so that's good news. It's high, but I've seen sky high nitrates out of the tap which makes for a real challenge. Simple answer is water changes. Lots of them. In my opinion / experience...there is no such thing as too many water changes as long as you're using conditioned, temp matched...

I agree to test the water coming directly out of the tap for nitrate levels. Let us know what you find :)