Kiwimuffin
Aquarium Advice Newbie
- Joined
- Dec 27, 2012
- Messages
- 3
I have a 55 gallon tank. I added water, water conditioner, etc. have the filter going (a brand new $60 filter!) and using some new/some used gravel, all clean. I left a little water in the tank from the person who gave it to me, as they had a fish in there for MANY years and I assumed the water was well established. Less than a gallon of water. Maybe a 1/2 gallon??
Anyways, It's been running for about a week to a week and a half and I tested the ammonia levels. They were super high! I have no idea why. There are no fish in the tank at all. I have had this happen before, too. Right out of the tap the ammonia is okay, then within a half hour it is at dangerous levels. I assume this is what kept killing our bettas (in a 10 gallon..a group of females) a while back. I am so frustrated! How do I get the water to be perfect for fish?
Also, is it normal for the water level to drop quickly? It seems I add more water daily to keep the filter from making a LOT of noise returning the water to the tank. I'm losing my mind!
One more thing. Once the tank is ready to go, what fish are appropriate for a 55gal? I know the general rule is 1gal per inch of fish for the smaller guys, but I don't think that would apply to much larger fish?
Anyways, It's been running for about a week to a week and a half and I tested the ammonia levels. They were super high! I have no idea why. There are no fish in the tank at all. I have had this happen before, too. Right out of the tap the ammonia is okay, then within a half hour it is at dangerous levels. I assume this is what kept killing our bettas (in a 10 gallon..a group of females) a while back. I am so frustrated! How do I get the water to be perfect for fish?
Also, is it normal for the water level to drop quickly? It seems I add more water daily to keep the filter from making a LOT of noise returning the water to the tank. I'm losing my mind!
One more thing. Once the tank is ready to go, what fish are appropriate for a 55gal? I know the general rule is 1gal per inch of fish for the smaller guys, but I don't think that would apply to much larger fish?