new tank

fish monger

I don't hear any mention of live floating plants !

ally1

sorry still haven't got any don't want the snails, would I need to keep the live plant in forever and can anyone tell me how to keep my artificial plants from going brown

Byron

Floating plants are the surest way of handling ammonia.

The brown, does it wipe off with your finger easily? If yes, this is likely diatoms. Common in new tanks, sometime during the first 2-3 months. After that, its preence may be due to low light, silicates (a type of mineral), or nutrients. In the absence of live plants, there is nothing to use nutrients so naturally some form of algae will apear.

If the brown does not easily come of, then it is another form of algae.

ally1

well another week has gone past and ph 7.2 ammonia 1.0 nitrite 0 and nitrate 5.0 so I did a 50% water change and cleaned the filter as instructed, that's it not been touched for a month the filter I mean and I am hopeful that the ammonia is now going to spike and fall and the nitrite will do the same and then all will settle down and I can add some fish. no dead fish this week again so that has been three weeks so keeping my fingers crossed that all will be good. oh and can I ask another question woman at pet store told me my ph was too high said it should be 6.6 or 6.8 is that correct and also said that the rocks in my tank could be the cause of the ammonia any advice please.

Byron

With the fish named earlier in this thread, I would leave the pH alone. First, the pH is due to the water chemistry (related to the GH and KH) and adjusting pH usually requires adjusting the GH and perhaps KH, and this can cause more trouble than it is worth. Especially when we are talking a couple of decimal points from 7.2 down to 6.8. Second, water changes will tend to keep the pH close to what the tap water is (unless you are targetting it and the GH). So this is better for water stability. You mention tank pH is 7.2, is this close to the tap water [remember when testing tap water, outgas the CO2 by shaking it briskly before testing]?

Rocks can leech various toxins, but I wouldn't expect that here. This is more likely a bacteria/cycling issue as was explained earlier in the thread.

Byron.

ally1

hi there the ph is the same as my tap water so thought that was ok, they wanted to give me a chemical to put in the water but I refused I've got to 9weeks and will keep on going without interfering with the cycle I know it will come ok eventually just need to be patient.

Byron

The pH is fine. Do you happen to know the GH and KH of the tap water? These numbers would clue us in as to what we might expect with the pH as the tank matures with fish later.

The KH in particular buffers pH, so the chemicals to adjust pH often don't work because the KH keeps the pH stable. Result is fluctuating pH which is very stressful on fish.

Byron.

ally1

finally got there my tank is know ammonia free, all remaining fish are alive and well at one point I thought this was never going to happen, soooo happy I have achieved this and I can go and purchase some fish, thank you for all your helpful comments and I will return for any help that I require.