View Full Version : Newbie here.....and a few questions
mandyaj_25
10-25-2008, 9:48 PM
Hi everyone. I just started a 20 gallon freshwater tropical tank and have been having some troubles. First there seems to be a lack of oxygen in the water. I was led to believe that a filter would do this all on it's own (I have one for a 20 gallon) but others keep telling me that I need an air stone. My tank has been set up for 3 weeks now and the ammonia is still sitting at 1.0 ppm. Is this normal? I have also been getting conflicting information on tank maintenance during cycling and after. Help I dont know what to believe. Thanks in advance.
Mgamer20o0
10-25-2008, 10:03 PM
Welcome to AC.
Virtuoso2K12
10-25-2008, 10:24 PM
Welcome to A.C :)
rocker92
10-25-2008, 10:27 PM
aitstones help. what are your nitrites and nitrates?????
Hurley
10-25-2008, 10:42 PM
Hi! Welcome to the board. It sounds like your tank is going though its cycle which can be really tough on the fish and their gills making it harder for them to breath. You should post your question in the freshwater newbie forum because more people will see it there and you will get plenty of help. :)
ksane
10-25-2008, 11:10 PM
My advice is to get a liquid test kit and do a 50% water change when the ammonia gets to .50 (1/2 of what it's at now). Once the ammonia starts reading '0' you'll be getting a reading for nitrites. Same thing-when nitrites get to .50 do a 50% water change. It'll take a few wks for the nitrites to zero out and you start getting a reading of nitrates. You'll have to do water changes probably every day most likely. After that just keep an eye on nitrates and plan on doing water changes to keep nitrates below 20 ppm or so. That's my advice.
Rbishop
10-26-2008, 5:11 AM
Have you read...
http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=84598
If it is a fishless cycle using ammonia, keep ammonia at 3-5 ppm initially.
Have you tested your tap water for ammonia?
Welcome to AC!
Weezer
10-26-2008, 5:25 AM
Hello...........:welcome:
krytan
10-26-2008, 5:52 AM
Hello, :welcome: to AC.
msjinkzd
10-26-2008, 6:16 AM
Welcome to AC!
Catpicklesdog
10-26-2008, 8:29 AM
:welcome: to AC
mostlycichlids
10-26-2008, 8:53 AM
Welcome to AC!
Lupin
10-26-2008, 10:46 PM
:welcome: to AC!
Reefscape
10-27-2008, 2:21 AM
Hiya Mandy, welcome to AC!
jm1212
10-27-2008, 8:56 PM
Welcome to AC!