Chemical Levels In My Tank

[amayon]

I'm kinda new to keeping fish, and I just bought a test kit for my tank, and I'm wondering if my levels are normal

its a 5 gallon, with gravel, fake plants, and driftwood. I have 2 albino longfin plecos (still small) and 1 male and 2 female guppies and 1 male and 2 female bettas (yes the male is minding his manners nicely lol)

My levels are this:
pH 7.6 or 7.9 not sure as I did two different pH tests
ammonia 0
nitrite 0
nitrate 20

Are these acceptable levels for my fish and if not, what are and what can I do to get there?

Thanks for having me!

 

[joel.uejio]

Recommended levels are Ammonia = 0, Nitrite = 0, Nitrate low (I guess 20 ppm or less)

How long have you had the tank set up? That seems like a lot of fish for a 5 gallon!

 

[amayon]

Its been up and running for about 3 months now?

I know its a bit (a lot?) overcrowded, but I was told it would be OK as long as monitored everything very well and kept the levels down and the fish happy

 

[joel.uejio]

Glad to hear that you're running smooth, but definitely keep up those water changes. Good luck with the tank!

 

[drobbyb]

Those levels are perfectly acceptable. Usually a nitrate level less than 40 ppm is great. If you get above 40 ppm a quick large waterchange will take care of that.

Sounds like you are off to a great start!

 

[Truck]

everything is fine, nitrates up to 400ppm is fine, but dont let it go above 100.

not sure on the betta male/female combo...i give it a few weeks before they kill each other!

 

[arobinson1984]

Agree with truck regarding the bettas, males and females should never be mixed unless breeding and then only for a minimum period of time. Females should be kept alone in groups of 6+ to minimise aggression. I dont think it'll be long before you have a bout of betta murder to be honest.

Also no plecs are really suitable for a 5 gallon, most will outgrow that tank in as little as 3-6 months.

Andy

 

[amayon]

I have seen some fin nipping so the male betta gets his own area for now. Little brat lol

The plecos I have will get 5" at the most