I've had my first aquarium, a 29 gallon, about 2-1/2 weeks. I thought I was cycling it by letting it run for a couple of days. Obviously, that was wrong. So now I have a tank with the following:
3 dalmation mollies
4 sunset plates
3 golden panda mollies
2 black phantom tetras and
1 green cory catfish
The first week and a half went well as I added some "Quick Start" and it took care of the ammonia. I then continued to add with each water change. Each test was showing 0 ammonia and close to 0 nitrites and nitrates. I realized 2 things:
1) I was testing with strips which I've been told are unreliable and
2) Continuing to add the "Quick Start" may be stopping the nitrites and nitrates from forming.
A couple of days ago the ammonia was rising (according to the strips) and still no NO2 or NO3. I stopped feeding for 2 days and did 2 water changes. This morning I fed just a bit and then went out and bought the API Master Test Kit. Here are the results I just got:
Ph: 7.6
High Ph: 7.4
Ammonia: 1
Nitrite: .5
Nitrate: 30
Does this sound reasonable? Do I just continue with water changes when ammonia reaches (what level)?
I should mention that a week ago I added 2 spotted cory cats and both died - one after 2 days, the other 2 days after that. This is when I added the green cory (you'd think I would've learned).
Thanks for your help.
3 dalmation mollies
4 sunset plates
3 golden panda mollies
2 black phantom tetras and
1 green cory catfish
The first week and a half went well as I added some "Quick Start" and it took care of the ammonia. I then continued to add with each water change. Each test was showing 0 ammonia and close to 0 nitrites and nitrates. I realized 2 things:
1) I was testing with strips which I've been told are unreliable and
2) Continuing to add the "Quick Start" may be stopping the nitrites and nitrates from forming.
A couple of days ago the ammonia was rising (according to the strips) and still no NO2 or NO3. I stopped feeding for 2 days and did 2 water changes. This morning I fed just a bit and then went out and bought the API Master Test Kit. Here are the results I just got:
Ph: 7.6
High Ph: 7.4
Ammonia: 1
Nitrite: .5
Nitrate: 30
Does this sound reasonable? Do I just continue with water changes when ammonia reaches (what level)?
I should mention that a week ago I added 2 spotted cory cats and both died - one after 2 days, the other 2 days after that. This is when I added the green cory (you'd think I would've learned).
Thanks for your help.