Ok. I'm going to try to address all the concerns in one post. I
don't have a spare tank for the betta and I would hate to put him in a bowl temporarily because he has been in this tank for 5 weeks. I have another tank that I JUST filled and it is doing a fishless cycle. So let's just say I have learned my lesson. The betta in the ammonia laden tank is an expensive fish so I don't want him to die. The oldest of my tanks is about 8 months, so I am new to the hobby. Not knowing any better, I never tested that first tank, just did weekly water changes. That betta is happy and healthy -- especially for a $5 Walmart betta. I really only got concerned and learned about water testing when I started killing RCS. I don't mean to sound heartless but I really didn't know any better until I started reading and reading and reading......I just wanted to save a betta...now I have 4. I feel bad that I may be harming my gorgeous fish.
I suppose I could go pick up a temporary bowl. I have a tiny spare heater and small spare filter I could put in it. But then there's snails and the plants in the 5 gallon also.
Someone asked if I use
PRIME. I do, but I'm not positive it like it. I was using
Jungle Right Start before I started reading about Prime and liked it a lot. Actually was using Right Start and Nutrafin Cycle and like them both. Only changed because of opinions on here. Right now, however, I am using
PRIME and
STABILITY.
I have read that the ph is kind of low. How can I
raise ph safely and slowly? Limestone? Crushed Coral? I'm not sure the Fluval media compartment has any more room for additional media. It is a big sponge with two cutouts for additional media. Right now I have bio balls and
Purigen in the sponge. Purigen replaced the carbon in that filter and I am in the process of replacing all the carbon in my other tanks with it.
Next.
Is cycling hard on the plants? I have several plants in the tank with ammonia. I have lost one anubius but the other plants are doing pretty well. Also, in the new tank that is cycling I know it's best to dose it with pure ammonia, but I'm not sure where I could find any. I live in a smallish town and have to drive a half hour + for supplies...and not sure where in that area I would buy the ammonia. Can I cycle with some ramshorn snails that have become pests or will they die (I'm not really concerned if they do - I've been picking they babies out and letting them die before disposing of them... I feel so cruel!
BUT I would have about 50 now if I had't done this.) I am still somewhat confused about cycling, but know I need ammonia.
I also have mystery snails and have temporarily placed one of them in the new tank but I am concerned about him. He is just sitting near the top of the tank and was normally very, very active. He's mot even bothering the food I placed in that tank for him. Obviously I am not very good at the cycling thing even after MUCH reading on the subject.
HELP!
for all the help so far. Advice from real people who have had the same problems is so valuable!