[Jasedy9]

Hello,

I have a plant-only 3.5 gal tank, that I can't keep cycled. I throw in some fish food and other fertilizers for the plants and they are doing very well, I have to cut them back about every two weeks, but for the life of me though I cannot keep it cycled. The main issue is the pH level, it keeps dropping and killing the cycle. The goal is to have it be an emergency med tank but every time I need it the water is unsafe.

The stock:
3 amazon swords
2 Lucky Bamboo
1 piece of driftwood w/ some plastic decorations.

I know the driftwood can lower pH, I have been counteracting that with some crushed coral that seems to do the trick for a bit but I can't seem to sustain it. Curious if it is just a small tank issue or if the driftwood is just too much for the small tank.

Any advice or thoughts would be great.

 

[FishTankExpert]

Small tanks are harder to cycle. If you have a filter that's been cycled or even some cycled tank water it would definitely help. As its a med tank the cycling process isn't that important since your likely to have to change the water all the time and put medicines in it anyway.