Can't get Ammonia lowered

[CaptnDan]

every tank should be cycled (even 5 gallon tanks).

Allow me to add to this... Every tank must and will cycle. Eventually. And until it does, there will be imbalances. There is no such thing as a tank that doesn't need to be cycled. It's a natural process.

I've been wanting to put some plants in, I guess that would help also?

Plants can be a double edged sword (no pun intended). If the plant doesn't get enough light and nutrients it will begin to die. As the plant dies off and little pieces of it decompose, they will add to the problem.

Be sure you have PLENTY of light, and research the plant as carefully as you would research a fish. Some plants require up to 4 watts per gallon of water when it comes to light - and that's "useful" watts, light that is in the right part of the spectrum. Incandescent bulbs don't do very well at all.

Of course along with more light comes more possibility for algae.... It's a balancing act. The Aquatic Plants forum here on AC may be of help there.

 

[LunchBox]

Every tank must and will cycle.

well you know I meant that it was the royal should, you know, like in a normal world this should happen and if it doens't you live in the twilight zone

live plants sure wouldn't hurt (unless it ends up dying off adding to the problem) just make sure you get ones that will thrive in your tank's conditions.

 

[CaptnDan]

well you know I meant that it was the royal should, you know, like in a normal world this should happen and if it doens't you live in the twilight zone

Sho 'nuff! I knew what you meant, I just wanted to make sure joshob knew too.

 

[LunchBox]

good point you never know when someone will take a "should" and take it more as advice than as in "because of how nature works this should happen"