Hello From Ontario

[ShaunnyRotten]

[background=rgb(242, 242, 242)]Hello Everyone, [/background]

[background=rgb(242, 242, 242)]I've had betas for some time now, however 6 or so weeks ago I made the foray into keeping tropical fish for the first time. My current setup is a 29 gallon tank, a Tetra Whisper ex30 filter, and a submerged heater that the name of currently eludes me. [/background]

[background=rgb(242, 242, 242)]The current residents are:[/background]

[background=rgb(242, 242, 242)]2.4.0 Assorted Platys[/background]
[background=rgb(242, 242, 242)]0.0.3 Corydoras [/background]

[background=rgb(242, 242, 242)]The tank is also planted with crypts and Java Ferns.[/background]

[background=rgb(242, 242, 242)]The tank has yet to cycle. I am trying to achieve this by going with the advice given to me by my local Big Al's fish guys.[/background]

[background=rgb(242, 242, 242)]Over the weekend I purchased an API master test kit, and after doing a few tests to ensure I was able to most accurately follow the instructions I have finally acquired a set of results that I can say are pretty close to correct. [/background]

[background=rgb(242, 242, 242)]Ammonia: Between 0.0 and 0.25 ppm[/background]
[background=rgb(242, 242, 242)]Nitrite: 2.0 ppm[/background]
[background=rgb(242, 242, 242)]Nitrate: 40 ppm[/background]
[background=rgb(242, 242, 242)]pH: 8.0[/background]

[background=rgb(242, 242, 242)]Water Temperature has been constant at 25 deg C[/background]

[background=rgb(242, 242, 242)]It's my understanding that for the first three tests above, the ideal levels should be 0, however I am unaware of what the real effect of the numbers listed above are having on my fish. Any information or advice would be greatly appreciated.[/background]

 

[Yanks15]

Welcome to the forum

As you probably know, betas will come to the surface to get air. Therefore, too many people like to treat these fish as though they don't need proper filtration or water parameters. Nothing could be farther from the truth. All fish thrive best in optimum conditions for there species. As for your current situation, you need to do large water changes on a daily basis to get the ammonia and nitrite as close to "0" as possible. I can only assume that you use de-chlorinator @ water changes. This will also reduce the nitrAtes, which are not an issue at that level. The nitrAtes will be manageable once the tank is cycled by doing frequent(weekly) water changes. The overall effect with leaving ammonia and nitrites unchecked is shortened life and most likely ill fish. Once the tank is fully cycled, I would say you should add to your corys. They are happiest in larger groups.


Thanks,
Steve