I bought a 20 gallon tank back in February. We introduced 5 pristella tetras in after a week of setting it up. Of course, 2 died the next day because they got the ammonia level up. We were suggested these fish due to their hardier nature. I went out and got some fluval with bacteria in it and put it in the tank. (I know some people swear by this stuff and others say it's snake oil. I have no idea if it helps at all still) A week or 2 later, I added 1 black kuhli, 2 Cory Cats Jullii, and 1 Panda Cory cat. The panda died a day later. I upgraded my filtration to a tetra whisper 40 from a tetra 20 ex thinking that would. I'm guessing that it might have made it a little worse because I tossed out the old filter and probably some bacteria with it. I have also replaced the 2 pristellas that have died so I have a total of 8 fishes now. I have also put in a sprig of moneywort, java fern, compacta, and a banana plant. I have also had a bacterial bloom for over a month or so which is just starting to look slightly better.
Well, here is the issue...my ammonia test strips have read high since I have introduced the first fish and it seems like I have a stressful level of nitrites also. I probably have around 10ppm of nitrates. I bought a seachem ammonia alert thing for my tank which helps me monitor the levels since I was running out of strips and it tends to stay in alert mode...never changing. It has been like this for weeks. I have never seen any of my water parameters at zero. I'm dosing the tank with prime trying to keep the fish comfortable and they seem to be doing well. I may cut feeding back to one a day. They have 1 small pinch in the morning and at night and a feeder tablet in the evening for the catfish and loach. I don't feel like they are over fed since they finish all their food quickly and are eager to be fed. I haven't had any illness in the tank. The money wort looked a little rotten in some spots, but it usually has healthy looking leaves and new roots. I think it might not like my gravelly substrate that much.(I fertilize weekly)
So far, my biggest regrets are not using the dead shrimp cycle method for my tank. My husband used it for his SW biocube and it has much more stable water parameters than mine. Number 2, being convinced to buy so called cycling fish. I wasn't really into pristellas, but I feel like I'm stuck with them at this point. I wonder if anyone else is familiar with a tank that has a reading high in ammonia and nitrites and low nitrates that doesn't appear to be making any progress within 2 months. Most people suggest water changes and I was doing it weekly until I went a week and a half without because our LFS said changing it was worse. I changed it anyways last week., finally. I only do 10 % pwc and a light vaccuuming of the substrate. Sorry, for the ramble. First time posting.
Well, here is the issue...my ammonia test strips have read high since I have introduced the first fish and it seems like I have a stressful level of nitrites also. I probably have around 10ppm of nitrates. I bought a seachem ammonia alert thing for my tank which helps me monitor the levels since I was running out of strips and it tends to stay in alert mode...never changing. It has been like this for weeks. I have never seen any of my water parameters at zero. I'm dosing the tank with prime trying to keep the fish comfortable and they seem to be doing well. I may cut feeding back to one a day. They have 1 small pinch in the morning and at night and a feeder tablet in the evening for the catfish and loach. I don't feel like they are over fed since they finish all their food quickly and are eager to be fed. I haven't had any illness in the tank. The money wort looked a little rotten in some spots, but it usually has healthy looking leaves and new roots. I think it might not like my gravelly substrate that much.(I fertilize weekly)
So far, my biggest regrets are not using the dead shrimp cycle method for my tank. My husband used it for his SW biocube and it has much more stable water parameters than mine. Number 2, being convinced to buy so called cycling fish. I wasn't really into pristellas, but I feel like I'm stuck with them at this point. I wonder if anyone else is familiar with a tank that has a reading high in ammonia and nitrites and low nitrates that doesn't appear to be making any progress within 2 months. Most people suggest water changes and I was doing it weekly until I went a week and a half without because our LFS said changing it was worse. I changed it anyways last week., finally. I only do 10 % pwc and a light vaccuuming of the substrate. Sorry, for the ramble. First time posting.
