New Hobbiest Mom

[BabyMatthew]

Hi,
not sure if I'm doing this right but I am new and I would like to introduce myself. I am a mom of a two year old who LOVES fish and I just got him a tank for Christmas. I have been reading all the posts on how to properly set it up. Thank you all for your expertise!
Best,
BabyMatthew's mom

 

[EllieJellyEllie]

What size tank? We would love to see pics!
 
Welcome! Hope you enjoy here, and make sure you read up on cycling, this is an important step when setting up a tank!

 

[Ch4rlie]

 
Hope you enjoy the forum!

 

[Blondielovesfish]

to the forum.
 
What size is the tank you bought?
What fish do you want to keep?
 
Make sure to read the cycling link in my signature, it is very helpful.
Having a look at THIS link will also provide you with lots of helpful information.

 

[Ninjouzata]

to the forum! Hope you enjoy it here.

 

[508]

Hello and welcome to the forum!

 

[l_l_l]

Hi and welcome!
As Blondie said, make sure you read on how to cycle a tank properly, that way, Matthew wont cry when a fish dies

 

[BabyMatthew]

Hi everyone,
Thank you for your welcome wishes. And Yes! Have read up on the cycling. I'm on 15 days of cycling. It is a small tank, 2.5 gallon to be exact. No fish yet (but Matthew is getting anxious). I plan to keep perhaps just three neon tetras. The tank always measures a temperature between 75-82 degrees Fahrenheit. I added a live plant, the moneywort and it's growing very nicely. My nitrates and nitrites still measure zero but my ammonia level is still very high . I added conditioner when I first started the tank. On the fourth day it turned cloudy. I read that that might of been a bacterial bloom. So I left as is and then two days later added a few drops of bio-spira. The cloudiness settled after the fourth day. I also added 1ml of pure ammonia to start the cycle but now the ammonia levels are dangerously high. Should I just wait it out?
Thanks,
Babymatthew's mom

 

[the_lock_man]

Read this, just adding ammonia and hoping for the best is a recipe for disaster - I appreciate that 2yo kids don't have the appreciation of what it takes, but this something where you need to be a strong mum, the cycling process takes time. What you need to do now, is to replace about 1 3/4 gallons of the water with fresh, to get the ammonia level down to something that is about right - I reckon your ammonia level is about 8ppm, it needs to be around 3ppm.
 
A 2½G tank is way, way, way too small for 3 neon tetras - they are active fish which need room to stretch their legs, er, fins. Yes, they will fit into the tank, and a great dane will fit into an average bathroom too, but no responsible pet owner would suggest it will be fine in there permanently.
 
May I respectfully suggest that you invest in a Betta, often referred to as a Siamese Fighting Fish (or just plain Fighter) here in the UK. A single male will be happy as a pig in the proverbial in a small tank, and you can let Matthew choose his favourite from the range in the shop - most shops have a variety of colourations available.

 

[BabyMatthew]

Thank you!
Now what should I do about the ammonia levels. How do I aide the nitrogen cycle to rid the ammonia?

 

[the_lock_man]

Thank you!
Now what should I do about the ammonia levels. How do I aide the nitrogen cycle to rid the ammonia?

 
Without wishing to sound rude, please re-read my first paragraph.

 

[BabyMatthew]

Not rude at all. And yes I now realize. Hahahaha. Thank you for your patience and advise....really )

 

[SamB]

Congrats on your first tank for your little guy! I grew up with fish and it's a great lesson in responsibility. Welcome to the forum!

 

[BabyMatthew]

Thank you. That is my hope as well, that he sees how much care goes into something as beautiful as a fish aquarium. What an excellent hobby. I'm already so happy and I don't even have fish yet! Hahahaha

 

[BabyMatthew]

Read this, just adding ammonia and hoping for the best is a recipe for disaster - I appreciate that 2yo kids don't have the appreciation of what it takes, but this something where you need to be a strong mum, the cycling process takes time. What you need to do now, is to replace about 1 3/4 gallons of the water with fresh, to get the ammonia level down to something that is about right - I reckon your ammonia level is about 8ppm, it needs to be around 3ppm


Question: I did the water change but 3 hours later my ammonia still reads 6ppm. Did I take a reading too soon? Should I wait?

Part of me wants to start all over