TOMatt
Aquarium Advice Activist
My fish-in cycle finished about 10 days ago, with 6 Dwarf Spotted Danios. Ammonia 0, Nitrites 0, Nitrates consistently 5ppm. They're all happy and healthy. I did 25% PWCs daily until last weekend.
A week ago I added 4 Peppered Cory Cats. The levels haven’t changed at all. Still 0/0/5, checked every day with an API Master Test Kit. I've done two 25% PWCs since then just to ensure the water was fresh and clean.
Tonight I’m planning to pick up a blue Dwarf Gourami, they’ve got a bunch of really nice ones at my local LFS and my wife really likes them.
After this, I’m debating between either 1 Red Platy with 6 Neon Tetras, or 3 Red Platies. I know if I buy 3 Platies that they should be 2 females and 1 male. After that, it will be fully stocked with schooling and non-schooling fish, colour and dull species, and top/middle/bottom-level fish.
What are your thoughts on this stock? Any opinions on whether to go with the 1 Platy with Tetras or just 3 Platies?
I’m also going to buy a new Nitrate tester, I’m a little wary because it’s been consistently reading 5ppm EVERY DAY. My plants are all plastic and silk, and I have a feeling that the Nitrates should be going up...
ps. Thanks for all the advice and helpful threads - AquariumAdvice has been invaluable in my getting the aquarium up and running.
A week ago I added 4 Peppered Cory Cats. The levels haven’t changed at all. Still 0/0/5, checked every day with an API Master Test Kit. I've done two 25% PWCs since then just to ensure the water was fresh and clean.
Tonight I’m planning to pick up a blue Dwarf Gourami, they’ve got a bunch of really nice ones at my local LFS and my wife really likes them.
After this, I’m debating between either 1 Red Platy with 6 Neon Tetras, or 3 Red Platies. I know if I buy 3 Platies that they should be 2 females and 1 male. After that, it will be fully stocked with schooling and non-schooling fish, colour and dull species, and top/middle/bottom-level fish.
What are your thoughts on this stock? Any opinions on whether to go with the 1 Platy with Tetras or just 3 Platies?
I’m also going to buy a new Nitrate tester, I’m a little wary because it’s been consistently reading 5ppm EVERY DAY. My plants are all plastic and silk, and I have a feeling that the Nitrates should be going up...
ps. Thanks for all the advice and helpful threads - AquariumAdvice has been invaluable in my getting the aquarium up and running.