Kirsty5
Fish Fanatic
Hi all,
as the title says: a warm hello from a tropical newbie
I used to breed fantails many years back, and also used to keep marines very successfully - all occupants to the tank were very happy, and therefore, so was I. It was a pleasure to look after them, and a challenge at times, even taking on fish that many said were doomed, but because of this, helped them have some form of life, (one of them being a rescued urchin clingfish who I taught to use a feeding box - #41####, I loved that fish ).
Yet, here I find myself in at the deep end! Totally new to tropicals!!!
I finally took the plunge again, yes, I've been lonely without my fish and tank, (although very busy with 5 dogs, my other half and running my own business!), I was craving fishkeeping again although promising myself I would never do this again, I finally answered my other half's question: "What do you want for your birthday?", I replied: "A fish tank".........
I decided to keep it small, and decided to go for a fish that I could not be silly with and add more, and more, and more, and oh dear, I need a larger tank, and so on!
So, I researched, and found the Betta Splendens - pretty and sad at the same time, beautiful and oh so "I need to be on my own!". My other half bought me a 35 litre tank, I have planted it, loved it, tested it, and stared lovingly at it for hours, , but am now slightly confused and need your assistance!
I know about cycling tanks, and have been cycling mine, I absolutely disagree with cycling with livestock, so it has been fishless, but its been years since I have done this and need clarification. I have had my ammonia spike and the readings are now 0mg, nitrites have been pretty constant recently at 5mg, nitrates have started off low, (as expected), spiked at 160mg, then flew down to 10mg, (I checked it twice as couldn't believe the massive and speedy drop), then today nitrate is reading at 80mg.
Now to my questions, its been a long time and need your help!
Can you get two nitrate spikes?
Should I carry out any water changes to assist the nitrite and nitrate levels since I have had my ammonia spike?
Many thanks in advance, and again, a big hello to all
as the title says: a warm hello from a tropical newbie
I used to breed fantails many years back, and also used to keep marines very successfully - all occupants to the tank were very happy, and therefore, so was I. It was a pleasure to look after them, and a challenge at times, even taking on fish that many said were doomed, but because of this, helped them have some form of life, (one of them being a rescued urchin clingfish who I taught to use a feeding box - #41####, I loved that fish ).
Yet, here I find myself in at the deep end! Totally new to tropicals!!!
I finally took the plunge again, yes, I've been lonely without my fish and tank, (although very busy with 5 dogs, my other half and running my own business!), I was craving fishkeeping again although promising myself I would never do this again, I finally answered my other half's question: "What do you want for your birthday?", I replied: "A fish tank".........
I decided to keep it small, and decided to go for a fish that I could not be silly with and add more, and more, and more, and oh dear, I need a larger tank, and so on!
So, I researched, and found the Betta Splendens - pretty and sad at the same time, beautiful and oh so "I need to be on my own!". My other half bought me a 35 litre tank, I have planted it, loved it, tested it, and stared lovingly at it for hours, , but am now slightly confused and need your assistance!
I know about cycling tanks, and have been cycling mine, I absolutely disagree with cycling with livestock, so it has been fishless, but its been years since I have done this and need clarification. I have had my ammonia spike and the readings are now 0mg, nitrites have been pretty constant recently at 5mg, nitrates have started off low, (as expected), spiked at 160mg, then flew down to 10mg, (I checked it twice as couldn't believe the massive and speedy drop), then today nitrate is reading at 80mg.
Now to my questions, its been a long time and need your help!
Can you get two nitrate spikes?
Should I carry out any water changes to assist the nitrite and nitrate levels since I have had my ammonia spike?
Many thanks in advance, and again, a big hello to all