When I first joined about 3 months ago I posted about how my 10g tank wouldn't finish cycling normally, after I mistakenly washed the filter sponge too soon after the cycle was completed. The nitrites kept showing up although ammonia and nitrate levels were fine. I was advised to add one sponge (which I did) and do water changes every 2-3 days until it evened out.
Thing is, it never evened out, no matter what I do! Sometimes it seems to be setting, then it goes wacky again! I have 6 pygmy cories left, lots of live plants, the Betta was moved to his own 5g home a couple weeks ago, and I was hoping it would help the cycle finally set, and I thought it did as for a week thing were pretty stable...then it spiked again after a 30% water change! The fishes seem pretty unmoved (they even laid eggs several times!). I would suspect a faulty water test kit...but I use Hagen's liquid test and the kit was bought recently so I doubt it. I'm patient and I don't mind constant water changes and testing, but I'm starting to feel like I'm doing all of this for nothing! I also vaccuum about 20% of the bottom every week (not more to keep the bacterias). I was told a lot of live plants could be harmful to water chemistry, could that be true? I don't understand my tank at all :-?
Thing is, it never evened out, no matter what I do! Sometimes it seems to be setting, then it goes wacky again! I have 6 pygmy cories left, lots of live plants, the Betta was moved to his own 5g home a couple weeks ago, and I was hoping it would help the cycle finally set, and I thought it did as for a week thing were pretty stable...then it spiked again after a 30% water change! The fishes seem pretty unmoved (they even laid eggs several times!). I would suspect a faulty water test kit...but I use Hagen's liquid test and the kit was bought recently so I doubt it. I'm patient and I don't mind constant water changes and testing, but I'm starting to feel like I'm doing all of this for nothing! I also vaccuum about 20% of the bottom every week (not more to keep the bacterias). I was told a lot of live plants could be harmful to water chemistry, could that be true? I don't understand my tank at all :-?