Libby1
Aquarium Advice Regular
Hi, so I tested my ammonia just now it's almost at zero, maybe even zero but it's not the "deep" yellow shade, just a softer yellow so I guess it's not 100% there yet? My nitrates are approx 10-15. I fed the fish yesterday but very little because I'm being cautious with my feeding approach. I did a 30% water change yesterday (fresh water. Not using the old tank water anymore) during the day. (fed him after the water change) I didn't check my nitrites or PH today, only yesterday when I updated you.No. This is the end result of having a big fish in a small tank.It's not only about space. It's about water quality and it's very hard to keep water quality up in a small tank with a big fish no matter how large the filter media is. Right now, you have a water parameter that is making nitrification be slower so the toxic ammonia is present longer which is not good for the fish. If you need to go away for 2 or 3 days, I'd really push to get answers on whether the person can take your fish before you go away. Yes, it sucks but you may not like the results if you don't.
What I'm confused about is, you had told me that when my ammonia is down to zero and my nitrates are rising, then my tank is cycled. My ammonia seems to be getting there, my nitrates aren't necessarily growing... what does this mean? Is it because I'm feeding very little? Is it possible that my tank did indeed get mostly cycled by now? I'm just trying to understand where I'm at.
In terms of the fish, he's doing great thank G-d. He's playful when I approach the tank, swims around in general, re-arranges stuff, marks his territory.
Bumpy Fish is doing fine as well except she became so picky with the eating. I need to figure out what else to try with her. How often do you feel it's safe to feed a cube of the frozen blood worms? She loves that and it's the only thing she came running to eat.