Hello,
I am new to the aquatic world and just got my first fish last Saturday: 1 betta and 5 tiger barbs (I've read that the tiger barbs can be aggressive towards bettas, but they were housed together at the pet shop and I haven't had any issues with them). Because of limited transportation (I go to boarding school), I was forced to purchase the tank and fish on the same day, so I couldn't set up the tank beforehand. I tried to make the process as gentle on the fish as possible (introduced them to the water/temperature gradually, used the recommended amount of conditioner to treat the water beforehand), although I was unable to get aquarium decor/plants for them to hide in or rest on until Tuesday. The betta has seemed fairly stressed on occasion throughout the week, but not extremely so. I have live aquarium plants to help with a natural cycle. Carbon filtration (should I switch to sponge?), automatic heater.
I think that my aquarium is beginning the cycling process, although maybe I have no idea. There is a small amount of nitrate in the water. For the first four days the water was clear, but then I woke up one morning to find it cloudy, and it has stayed that way since then. I read that this is part of the process when setting up a new tank though.
Yesterday I noticed that my betta had white spots on his fins, most likely from ich. The tiger barbs do not appear to be affected at all. The betta has been more withdrawn/eating less and hiding between the filter and heater more frequently. I am really unsure of the best method of treating this. I've found so many different things online, but I can't find a clear explanation of the process/what I need to buy/what I need to change in my tank/how long this will take. I want to eradicate the ich before it multiplies and spreads to my barbs. I also don't want to kill off my plants in the process as they were fairly expensive and I have a limited budget, although I will purchase whatever is necessary to help resolve this issue. Could someone offer some guidance for this situation?
Tank size: 10 gallon
pH: 7.0-7.5
ammonia: ? Don't have a tester for this. No obvious signs from my research of unhealthy levels though.
nitrite: 0
nitrate: 20
kH: 120
gH: 150
tank temp: 76-78
Volume and Frequency of water changes: 15%, 2x per week (so twice so far)
Tank inhabitants: 1 betta, 5 tiger barbs
Recent additions to your tank (living or decoration): Live aquarium plants, artificial rock cave
Exposure to chemicals: None?
I am new to the aquatic world and just got my first fish last Saturday: 1 betta and 5 tiger barbs (I've read that the tiger barbs can be aggressive towards bettas, but they were housed together at the pet shop and I haven't had any issues with them). Because of limited transportation (I go to boarding school), I was forced to purchase the tank and fish on the same day, so I couldn't set up the tank beforehand. I tried to make the process as gentle on the fish as possible (introduced them to the water/temperature gradually, used the recommended amount of conditioner to treat the water beforehand), although I was unable to get aquarium decor/plants for them to hide in or rest on until Tuesday. The betta has seemed fairly stressed on occasion throughout the week, but not extremely so. I have live aquarium plants to help with a natural cycle. Carbon filtration (should I switch to sponge?), automatic heater.
I think that my aquarium is beginning the cycling process, although maybe I have no idea. There is a small amount of nitrate in the water. For the first four days the water was clear, but then I woke up one morning to find it cloudy, and it has stayed that way since then. I read that this is part of the process when setting up a new tank though.
Yesterday I noticed that my betta had white spots on his fins, most likely from ich. The tiger barbs do not appear to be affected at all. The betta has been more withdrawn/eating less and hiding between the filter and heater more frequently. I am really unsure of the best method of treating this. I've found so many different things online, but I can't find a clear explanation of the process/what I need to buy/what I need to change in my tank/how long this will take. I want to eradicate the ich before it multiplies and spreads to my barbs. I also don't want to kill off my plants in the process as they were fairly expensive and I have a limited budget, although I will purchase whatever is necessary to help resolve this issue. Could someone offer some guidance for this situation?
Tank size: 10 gallon
pH: 7.0-7.5
ammonia: ? Don't have a tester for this. No obvious signs from my research of unhealthy levels though.
nitrite: 0
nitrate: 20
kH: 120
gH: 150
tank temp: 76-78
Volume and Frequency of water changes: 15%, 2x per week (so twice so far)
Tank inhabitants: 1 betta, 5 tiger barbs
Recent additions to your tank (living or decoration): Live aquarium plants, artificial rock cave
Exposure to chemicals: None?