No Readings?!?!?

[fishygirl42]

Ok, i got a used 15gal tank on wednesday the day before thanksgiving and set it up the same day to get it going. It came with everything, including the filter and bio-wheel. well, i got 3 platies on that next Sat, to cycle the tank. (i chose not to do fishless cycle for a reason) on the next day, sunday, i checked the readings. Amonia-.25 Nitrite-none Nitrate-none Ph-7.2-7.5. and then i did a water change. since then, i havent done anything except feed a tiny piece of a flake each day. I check the water conditions each day, but still i get everything zero, and ph 7.2-7.5. i have a liquid testing kit. I'm worried. But im not sure if there was still denitrifying bacteria in the bio-wheel. So, should i be worried? Thanks in advance!

Sarah

 

[Aprilia997]

Give the fish a little more food but do not overfeed. The ammonia level tends to rise slowly at first and then curve quickly to its peak at around a week and a half depending on stocking levels. Do not do any more water changes until the ammonia starts peaking and then do just small water changes. For your tank I would do just a gallon or two at a time. Make sure as you do your water changes to not disturb the gravel. Your pH is fairly close to neutral so the ammonia will not be as dangerous as it would be closer to pH of 7.8 or higher.

 

[Nerwign]

Definately feed your fish more than one piece of flake food for 3 fish every day. You can feed them and just watch to make sure they eat all the food within a couple of minutes. Do this 2 or 3 times a day.

You can scoop out excess food with a fish net to make sure it doesn't affect the water.

I don't think your biowheel will come with any bacteria unless you got it out of a tank instead of dry, out of a box. If it was dry when you got it, no live bacteria are present yet.

-Nerwign