Newbie fish keeper

[Essjay]

With 10 guppies in 180 litres, even if the tank and media were brand new, ammonia would not build up very fast. Test once a day


Is this a liquid reagent test? Just to warn you of a quirk with the ammonia tester. Fluorescent lights can make the liquid look greener than it really is. Ideally test in daylight, or use a halogen/LED light.

 

[Retired Viking]

You may want to purchase some floating plants that will help absorb the ammonia. Plants like anacharis, moneywort, hornwort and water sprite would help. You can also plant them in the gravel if you like and they are easy to care for. Other floating plants like frog bit that just float will help too. If you add enough plants you would be doing a planted/silent cycle of your tank since you already of the fish. I am doing a planted/silent cycle right now with guppies in a 30 gallon tank.

 

[Tobytyke245]

With 10 guppies in 180 litres, even if the tank and media were brand new, ammonia would not build up very fast. Test once a day


Is this a liquid reagent test? Just to warn you of a quirk with the ammonia tester. Fluorescent lights can make the liquid look greener than it really is. Ideally test in daylight, or use a halogen/LED light.

I know I should test less probably because I'm new I dont want anything to go wrong and yes I have got the API test for ammonia i have been laying the test tube on top of the test card on the windowsill as the room my tank is in is quite dark

 

[Tobytyke245]

You may want to purchase some floating plants that will help absorb the ammonia. Plants like anacharis, moneywort, hornwort and water sprite would help. You can also plant them in the gravel if you like and they are easy to care for. Other floating plants like frog bit that just float will help too. If you add enough plants you would be doing a planted/silent cycle of your tank since you already of the fish. I am doing a planted/silent cycle right now with guppies in a 30 gallon tank.

I like the idea of plants with floating plants though how would it work as I have a current on the surface of the water. Also with the juwel filter will floating plants not clog the intake to the filter? I have been looking at maybe putting some java moss on the cave/rock that I currently have in the tank as I am not really happy with what it looks like I thought some java moss on the outside of it would disguise it a bit

 

[Retired Viking]

I like the idea of plants with floating plants though how would it work as I have a current on the surface of the water. Also with the juwel filter will floating plants not clog the intake to the filter? I have been looking at maybe putting some java moss on the cave/rock that I currently have in the tank as I am not really happy with what it looks like I thought some java moss on the outside of it would disguise it a bit

You could plant them, some members have placed line across the surface to keep them away from filters. Anacharis grows up to 3 feet tall and will bend at the surface,