HI fish friends. I have been reading lots of cycling threads for advice, but mine hasn't been textbook. I think I am nearly cycled, but I am not sure. My ammonia is dropping every time I add more. Three days ago, it had fallen to .25 so I dosed it back up to 4 at 11:30 pm, at 9am the next morning it was 2 and at 11pm it was .25 again. Yesterday morning I brought it back up to maybe 5ish (I know, I went too high!) and tonight, it was 1.5. I have never seen any nitrites. I learned this is not completely unheard of. My nitrates are reading at 80, but have been that way for 2 days without climbing. Are they supposed to go off the chart? If they don't, and 4ppm of ammo is dropping to 0 in 24 hours, will I be I cycled? any other advice?
Now, it is a small tank, 5 gallon. Please don't lecture me! I know! I know! For those liberal stockers who aren't in the "shrimp only" camp, I could use some advice. What kind of cat fish are the ones that stay small, and don't have to be in a school to be happy? Also, how many dwarf (or chili) rasboras do you think would be okay? Those are the two species I'm leaning towards. Really going to miss having a betta baby, but looking forward to extra tank activity of the rasboras. Also, shrimp don't add much to the bio load, right?
Thanks!!!
Now, it is a small tank, 5 gallon. Please don't lecture me! I know! I know! For those liberal stockers who aren't in the "shrimp only" camp, I could use some advice. What kind of cat fish are the ones that stay small, and don't have to be in a school to be happy? Also, how many dwarf (or chili) rasboras do you think would be okay? Those are the two species I'm leaning towards. Really going to miss having a betta baby, but looking forward to extra tank activity of the rasboras. Also, shrimp don't add much to the bio load, right?
Thanks!!!