Newbie here.....and a few questions

mandyaj_25

mandyaj_25

AC Members
Oct 22, 2008
39
0
6
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.
 
aitstones help. what are your nitrites and nitrates?????
 
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. :)
 
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.
 
Hello...........:welcome:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom