mushuporker
Aquarium Advice Newbie
So I've had a few fishtanks before, but honestly they were lucky accidents. I never once checked my water parameters. Now I'm trying to set up a 20 gallon and do everything properly and I'm a bit lost. All that's in the tank right now is gravel, a couple hides, a mopani wood tree, and a few pieces of cholla wood.
I plan on adding dwarf hairgrass, dwarf baby tears, java moss, and a few background plants once the carpet is under control. After all my planting is done I'm adding some snails and cherry shrimp. The only fish I've decided on are some corydoras and gouramis. I considered german blue rams, but I think the gourami are less likely to pick on my shrimp.
My problem at this moment is understanding where I want my water parameters and how to get them there. I did my first test this morning and got; PH: 8 Ammonia: 4 ppm Nitrate: 5 ppm Nitrites: 0 ppm. My temp is set at 75 and seems to be staying fairly stable. I don't really understand what to do with the information I have.
I guess what I'm asking is, what do I need to do to make the water ready for some plants?
I plan on adding dwarf hairgrass, dwarf baby tears, java moss, and a few background plants once the carpet is under control. After all my planting is done I'm adding some snails and cherry shrimp. The only fish I've decided on are some corydoras and gouramis. I considered german blue rams, but I think the gourami are less likely to pick on my shrimp.
My problem at this moment is understanding where I want my water parameters and how to get them there. I did my first test this morning and got; PH: 8 Ammonia: 4 ppm Nitrate: 5 ppm Nitrites: 0 ppm. My temp is set at 75 and seems to be staying fairly stable. I don't really understand what to do with the information I have.
I guess what I'm asking is, what do I need to do to make the water ready for some plants?