3 Day old tank

[Coler]

Welcome to AC

You'll want to change water to reduce ammonia to 0 whenever it hits .25 ppm. Likewise for nitrite. This could require a water change in the morning and one in the evening but in a 10G should be not so much work. This goes on for a couple/few weeks generally until you are stable at 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite and nitrates slowly increasing. Then you can swap to a 25% change weekly, to maintain nitrates below 40 ppm.

Prime is a great water conditioner. The best imo.

Feeding lightly is good advice - no more than a minute a day with no food going uneaten is fine. Skip a day every week or so too. When the cycle is established feed for two minutes per day when you feed.

 

[gmh]

What kind of water conditioner do you use? You need one that detoxifies ammonia, like Prime or Amqel Plus.

 

[severum mama]

Thanks for the input. I'm going to keep watching the water and fish closely for any changes. the two fish appear to be fine right now, although they pick at the gravel for food. I'm hesitant to feed them anymore because they've been fed today already.

I'm going to the pet shop to get a cleaning tube to make water changes easier. Maybe pick up a java fern to replace the grass. In a week or so I'm looking to get a pair of platy

Unfortunately, your tank will be nowhere near done cycling in a week. Adding more fish before the tank cycles will make the process more stressful for you (more/larger water changes necessary), and will likely kill the fish. Beneficial bacteria can only colonize so quickly. Definitely read that article that was linked and ask about any parts you don't understand. It's essential info for success in the hobby.

I agree with the recommendation for Prime. It's great stuff and very concentrated compared to a lot of other brands.

 

[jpcoop]

Alright I picked up a bottle of Prime today before I got home. I checked the ammonia and the reading was still at 0.25. I went ahead and did a 50% water change and added the Prime. Checked the water afterward and found the test shows little to no ammonia.

Also I removed the mondo grass and tossed it out

Hope I'm on the right track

 

[sleepyskater]

You seem to be on the right track to a good aquarium!

As a reminder, try not to overfeed them. If they dont eat the flakes off the ground that could raise the ammonia which would mean you'd just have the clean the rocks.

The best of luck for you and your tank!:thm:

 

[jpappy789]

Sounds like you are definitely on the right track. Just keep testing regularly and doing the water changes!

One thing I would recommend is to lower your lighting down to 10 hours a day at the most. Any more and you'll probably start seeing some algae growth...you may still encounter some as you have some trace ammonia. A timer is the perfect solution.

 

[severum mama]

Alright I picked up a bottle of Prime today before I got home. I checked the ammonia and the reading was still at 0.25. I went ahead and did a 50% water change and added the Prime. Checked the water afterward and found the test shows little to no ammonia.

Also I removed the mondo grass and tossed it out

Hope I'm on the right track

You are definitely on the right track! Just keep testing and change water as necessary to keep ammonia/nitrite under .25. It will be a lot of work at first, but rewarding once your tank cycles and you can drop the water changes down to once a week, lol.

 

[jpcoop]

Alright, here's an update..

I did a 50% WC a couple days ago since ammonia rose a little. I also added one java fern and one micro sword plant. I tested the water today and got..

Ammonia - 0
Nitrites - 0
Nitrates - 5
PH - 8.0

Now I'm guessing I'm in the stage where nitrates are slowly rising. Is there a certain point when I should do a water change?

Another thing I noticed on my moss ball from petco I saw a little spider on it. I immediatly took it off and killed it. Shouldn't be a big deal I hope

 

[rich311k]

Keep the nitrates under 20ppm and all should be well.

 

[b.greene]

Alright, here's an update..

I did a 50% WC a couple days ago since ammonia rose a little. I also added one java fern and one micro sword plant. I tested the water today and got..

Ammonia - 0
Nitrites - 0
Nitrates - 5
PH - 8.0

You ARE getting there - woo-hoo on the nitrates!