virgonurse
Aquarium Advice Newbie
OK, I need some advice in several areas. First, we bought a 55 gallon tank last of July (we have had a 10 gallon for about a year). There were fish with it- 2 Green Severums, 1 Sail-finned Pleco, 1 BN Pleco, 1 Red-finned shark, 2 Yellow Labs, 1 Clown Loach, 2 Do-jo loaches. Using a Magnum 350 and Maxijet 600.
Started out with charcoal media and NEW TANK CYCLING because my hubby wanted to use river rock. We changed to coral mix 2 weeks later. Went through that, then 2 weeks ago, 8-29, the bad smell is coming again, so we have the water checked ( I was using strips, I have since ordered a kit). Told it was cycling again!!!! Nitrites were 1.0, nitrates were 0-20, and ammon. 3.0-6.0. Switched media to Purigen and Chem-pure Elite (the water has never been more beautiful) and vacuumed good, as per the fish dude. My PH runs 7.5-8.0 and water is hard.
Did a 5-6 gallon water-change on 9-7. My nitrites got to 0 on 9-8 w/ my nitrates at 20, but ammon. at .5-3.0. On 9-10 trites were 1.0-3.0, trates the same, ammon. at 3. Last night, 9-11, trites .5, trates 0-20, ammon. at 3 again. I keep a log of each check. It seemed to be settling w/ everything lowering and increasing, but now my ammon, is doing this, Could it be the strips (not got my kit thru mail yet)? Me being a newbie? I am using Prime for the ammonia. Just do a water change?
I know we have a load to try to have cycled, but have not lost a fish yet. I do not know anyone who could take some of them, they are grown, healthy fish.
Now my next dilemma, what kind of lights do we need? I have been reading everything since getting this tank (because I knew nothing) and cannot seem to figure out the diff. lights, wattage, etc. We have no live plants. My hubby wants some of the "Moonlights". Can you use those for primary lights, only at night, or what? There again, I don't know which ones, wattage, etc. The bulbs that came with it are two different kinds w/ one side looking like plain flurescent and the other side with a purple tinge, but not quite dimmer.
My hubby said he is getting over the tank quick, I wonder why? I just need some help in a few areas because I have researched the fish, water perimeters, levels, etc. until my eyes are crossed. I would appreciate the help, especially with the light issue and a few other little things I would like to know more about, but I will save that for another time.
So far, this is the only forum that I absolutely love. Good pics, informative, up-to-date forums, etc. Hope to hear back soon.
Started out with charcoal media and NEW TANK CYCLING because my hubby wanted to use river rock. We changed to coral mix 2 weeks later. Went through that, then 2 weeks ago, 8-29, the bad smell is coming again, so we have the water checked ( I was using strips, I have since ordered a kit). Told it was cycling again!!!! Nitrites were 1.0, nitrates were 0-20, and ammon. 3.0-6.0. Switched media to Purigen and Chem-pure Elite (the water has never been more beautiful) and vacuumed good, as per the fish dude. My PH runs 7.5-8.0 and water is hard.
Did a 5-6 gallon water-change on 9-7. My nitrites got to 0 on 9-8 w/ my nitrates at 20, but ammon. at .5-3.0. On 9-10 trites were 1.0-3.0, trates the same, ammon. at 3. Last night, 9-11, trites .5, trates 0-20, ammon. at 3 again. I keep a log of each check. It seemed to be settling w/ everything lowering and increasing, but now my ammon, is doing this, Could it be the strips (not got my kit thru mail yet)? Me being a newbie? I am using Prime for the ammonia. Just do a water change?
I know we have a load to try to have cycled, but have not lost a fish yet. I do not know anyone who could take some of them, they are grown, healthy fish.
Now my next dilemma, what kind of lights do we need? I have been reading everything since getting this tank (because I knew nothing) and cannot seem to figure out the diff. lights, wattage, etc. We have no live plants. My hubby wants some of the "Moonlights". Can you use those for primary lights, only at night, or what? There again, I don't know which ones, wattage, etc. The bulbs that came with it are two different kinds w/ one side looking like plain flurescent and the other side with a purple tinge, but not quite dimmer.
My hubby said he is getting over the tank quick, I wonder why? I just need some help in a few areas because I have researched the fish, water perimeters, levels, etc. until my eyes are crossed. I would appreciate the help, especially with the light issue and a few other little things I would like to know more about, but I will save that for another time.
So far, this is the only forum that I absolutely love. Good pics, informative, up-to-date forums, etc. Hope to hear back soon.
