batmansocks117
Aquarium Advice Apprentice
I posted on the unhealthy fish forum last week about a sick cardinal tetra I had in my 10 gallon. I went and got my water tested today at PetSmart to discover that my ammonia level is at .5 and my nitrite level is 1.0. =( The lady who helped me said it looked like I was in the middle of my cycle even though my tank has been set up for 4 weeks (however, I did not do a fishless cycle), and she suggested to not do a lot of water changes because it will make the cycle last longer and to come back in 2 weeks to get the water tested again. So my question is, do I do more water changes because of my levels? I looked around online and from what I was seeing people suggest more water changes to help this. I've been using API +Stress Coat water conditioner up until last week when I switched to Prime because it was suggested to me.
My next question is that I want to eventually add a marimo ball and some more live plants to my tank. If I add these in after the ammonia and nitrite levels have become more normal will it mess with them again?
Also, I finally convinced my boyfriend to let me get a 5 gallon to upgrade my betta to (yay!). If I use the substrate and the filter media from the tank he is in now should that help the new tank cycle faster?
Last question, lol. Both my filters came with carbon inserts, I've read so many different things about them I'm so unsure as to what they do. Are they necessary? I read a lot of people just use them in quarantine tanks to help remove any medicine they had put into the tank. They are due for a change soon and I'm wondering if I should worry about getting new ones and just leave them out.
oh! One last question, lol. One of the decorations in my betta's tank ripped his fin up hecka. When I got him his fins were already pretty bad and he healed up nicely, but is there anything I can do to help him along?
Thanks! And sorry for all the questions, haha >.<
My next question is that I want to eventually add a marimo ball and some more live plants to my tank. If I add these in after the ammonia and nitrite levels have become more normal will it mess with them again?
Also, I finally convinced my boyfriend to let me get a 5 gallon to upgrade my betta to (yay!). If I use the substrate and the filter media from the tank he is in now should that help the new tank cycle faster?
Last question, lol. Both my filters came with carbon inserts, I've read so many different things about them I'm so unsure as to what they do. Are they necessary? I read a lot of people just use them in quarantine tanks to help remove any medicine they had put into the tank. They are due for a change soon and I'm wondering if I should worry about getting new ones and just leave them out.
oh! One last question, lol. One of the decorations in my betta's tank ripped his fin up hecka. When I got him his fins were already pretty bad and he healed up nicely, but is there anything I can do to help him along?
Thanks! And sorry for all the questions, haha >.<