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3 Posts
Oh, where to start? My kids got a betta and a frog about 4 months ago - Betta in a 5 gal (heated and filtered) and the frog in a 1 gal bowl. :shock: Have managed to keep both alive with only feeding and water changes, so I'm willing to put a bit more time and effort towards them. Got a 20H tank off craigslist that I'm working towards, but that's another post. In the meantime, I've just moved the frog to another 5 gal in an effort to improve his quality of life and keep the cat out of the bowl.
I used the filter cartridge from the betta tank, a few decorations from the bowl, and handful of the marbles from the bowl floor and most of the water from the bowl, in an effort to avoid new tank syndrome. Didn't work. I got a big spike of ammonia. Changed some water, added a dwarf sag. Next day changed more water and added some anacharis. 2 days later and my ammonia is finally coming down but my nitrites are off the chart.
Now I'm worried that my plants don't look so great. The anacharis is looking browner than when I got it and I've got extra leaves floating around the tank. I thought the live plants were supposed to help avoid the spikes in the cycle? Aren't they supposed to be using up the ammonia and nitrites/nitrates? Do I need to add some of the ferts I see people talking about?
And also, is there anything else I need to do to not kill my frog while the tank finishes cycling? Will more water changes help, or slow down the process? I haven't fed him in 3-4 days cause I'm afraid to add food to the ammonia spike - should I feed him anyway to keep him from starving?
I know live plants = light questions. I've got a CFL screw in bulb that claims to be full daylight 10 watt.
Thanks for any help!
I used the filter cartridge from the betta tank, a few decorations from the bowl, and handful of the marbles from the bowl floor and most of the water from the bowl, in an effort to avoid new tank syndrome. Didn't work. I got a big spike of ammonia. Changed some water, added a dwarf sag. Next day changed more water and added some anacharis. 2 days later and my ammonia is finally coming down but my nitrites are off the chart.
Now I'm worried that my plants don't look so great. The anacharis is looking browner than when I got it and I've got extra leaves floating around the tank. I thought the live plants were supposed to help avoid the spikes in the cycle? Aren't they supposed to be using up the ammonia and nitrites/nitrates? Do I need to add some of the ferts I see people talking about?
And also, is there anything else I need to do to not kill my frog while the tank finishes cycling? Will more water changes help, or slow down the process? I haven't fed him in 3-4 days cause I'm afraid to add food to the ammonia spike - should I feed him anyway to keep him from starving?
I know live plants = light questions. I've got a CFL screw in bulb that claims to be full daylight 10 watt.
Thanks for any help!