Jenny,
Here's another link to an API Freshwater Test Kit. http://www.petsolutions.com/default.aspx?ItemId=17101034&EID=17101034&SID=FROOGLE
I'm not sure what their shipping would cost, but give them a try. I'm a bargain hunter myself, so the lower the price, the better.
As for the plants and ammonia, I find that PetCo and Petsmart both carry plants that are not truely aquatic. Seems like what you got were peacock ferns and some type of sword looking plant. They're both not aquatic, and will fall apart over the next weeks to months. That does not explain the high ammonia levels though, since you don't have any fish yet. The fiberous mold looking stuff, might be material that came with the plants for the roots to take hold. They put that in pots where they grow the plants, and looks like wool. It's greyish in color, and seems like fiberglass. If that's what it is, then you can just remove as much as that as you can, and replant.
I have a lot of guppies myself. When the population was low(3 guppies), I seperated each drop of fry to another tank, to allow them to grow out and join their parents. Now that I have over 50 of them, each drop is left in the tank for now. With lots of plant cover, I expect most of them to make it and grow old together.
I too like yourself, used to have fish, and then stopped for some time. I used to have an Oscar, amongst other fish. I remember my Oscar most, because he was huge in the 10G that I had. I was fascinated by him eating live food and chasing his food. I taught him tricks, which ultimately led to his death, he jumped out.
I took a 15 year break, and now I'm back. I've learned a lot since then, especially about planted aquariums and water chemistry. I've also learned a lot about inverts as well and own some that I am trying to breed. It's a very fun and rewarding hobby if it's done right, and looks like you're on the right track.
Shawn
Here's another link to an API Freshwater Test Kit. http://www.petsolutions.com/default.aspx?ItemId=17101034&EID=17101034&SID=FROOGLE
I'm not sure what their shipping would cost, but give them a try. I'm a bargain hunter myself, so the lower the price, the better.
As for the plants and ammonia, I find that PetCo and Petsmart both carry plants that are not truely aquatic. Seems like what you got were peacock ferns and some type of sword looking plant. They're both not aquatic, and will fall apart over the next weeks to months. That does not explain the high ammonia levels though, since you don't have any fish yet. The fiberous mold looking stuff, might be material that came with the plants for the roots to take hold. They put that in pots where they grow the plants, and looks like wool. It's greyish in color, and seems like fiberglass. If that's what it is, then you can just remove as much as that as you can, and replant.
I have a lot of guppies myself. When the population was low(3 guppies), I seperated each drop of fry to another tank, to allow them to grow out and join their parents. Now that I have over 50 of them, each drop is left in the tank for now. With lots of plant cover, I expect most of them to make it and grow old together.
I too like yourself, used to have fish, and then stopped for some time. I used to have an Oscar, amongst other fish. I remember my Oscar most, because he was huge in the 10G that I had. I was fascinated by him eating live food and chasing his food. I taught him tricks, which ultimately led to his death, he jumped out.
I took a 15 year break, and now I'm back. I've learned a lot since then, especially about planted aquariums and water chemistry. I've also learned a lot about inverts as well and own some that I am trying to breed. It's a very fun and rewarding hobby if it's done right, and looks like you're on the right track.
Shawn
