What The Heck Am I Gonna Do?

[dixiedawn]

Ok i bought the API master testing kit thingy...was following the directions that were in the book

There's 3 things to test for nitrate..one is just a single pot to mix like i think it was 5 drops with..the other was to combine the test water (not the same water but a fresh vial) with a combo of two. One of the lables says nitrate tester..and on the other two one says nitrate testing solution #1 and on the other pot says nitrate testing solution #2...in the booklet it says to mix these two that i just mentioned #1 and #2 to get the second nitrate reading

am i doing something wrong

it is prolly meaning you use both bottles and add the drops of each bottle to get the nitrate...(just like my ammonia)

Sorry maybe i didn't specify..there are 3 bottles for testing nitrate...1 for one test and the #1 and #2 for the second testing.
If they're both coming up as 0ppm that's a good thing to start off with right?

I vote for a betta and maybe a ghost shrimp, to help keep things clean and add variety.

sounds like a good idea..but what if they don't have any ghost shrimp? i only have two lps near to me..one is at a garden centre and the other is petsathome (aka pet smart) and i've not seen any that i recall...only red claw crabs..cute lil buggers..but i've heard some not so nice things about them...

 

[dixiedawn]

rotflmao IM SUCH AN IDIOT the first one was nitrite and the second with the combined is nitrate!!! IM AN IDIOT...be back in a few mins with nitrite reading!!

 

[dixiedawn]

kk revised...readings are as follows (just redid the nitrite and nitrate

pH 7.6
HpH 7.4
ammonia >0.25 (looked like it was between colours)
NITRITE 0ppm
Nitrate 0ppm-5.00 (again looked like it was between colours on the guide)

now what? lol I assume i wait a couple of days to add ammonia?

 

[gilaesther]

The Petco near me just recently started getting in ghost shrimp, and told me they're so popular, they're going to keep getting them regularly. Ask your Petsmart if they'd be willing to try getting some and see how they fare. Tell them they're great little cleaner uppers, and maybe they'll give it a shot.

 

[sandie66]

I think 3 males guppies would look very nice in a 3 gallon tank, but you could always go with a male betta!!

 

[dixiedawn]

The Petco near me just recently started getting in ghost shrimp, and told me they're so popular, they're going to keep getting them regularly. Ask your Petsmart if they'd be willing to try getting some and see how they fare. Tell them they're great little cleaner uppers, and maybe they'll give it a shot.

Good idea..i'll double check with both of them about that....but what about those little crabs..anyone have any opinions on them or know more about them?

I think 3 males guppies would look very nice in a 3 gallon tank, but you could always go with a male betta!!

I was thinking about a male betta..they are very attractive..and also some are quite friendly and come to the surface...something my daughter would really enjoy..not to mention myself What started off with her having a pet or two..has become an absolute obsession to me LMAO

 

[lilfishie]

a male betta would be perfect for the 3 gal, he'll love you for the space as for the 10, maybe a few male guppies and shrimp for the bottom, thnk you could go 5 male guppies and 4 shrimp with no problem. if the 3 gal is the elite version i have the same one if its the one i'm thinking of. is it this one? (right hand side)

 

[dixiedawn]

THAT'S IT!! weird shaped thing ain't it?? which makes life difficult in finding a light source to put live plants in..which i would like to do at some point....scary..that's the same colour n all!!
Male betta is sounding better an better..should it just be him alone??

 

[gilaesther]

You can put in a ghost shrimp with him. Otherwise, I would say the tank is to small for the other suggested betta friend - the african dwarf frog.

 

[lilfishie]

i have one of my males in there, he loves it and its right next to my computer desk which he loves even more, definately recommend one for that tank

 

[dixiedawn]

Thanks loads ya'll been brillaint!

 

[poopsydrew]

a group of cories would be nice in that tank, and maybe a betta as well,.

Not trying to be picky or anything but you are suggesting that they keep a group of cories and a betta all in a 3 gallon tank??!
I dont think many would reccomend such a setup

Drew

 

[jollysue]

That was my question too. I finally decided that it must be recommendations for the 10.

A ten is good Cory tank. It will also make a great Tang or shellie tank: a small African Cichlid. Could a small apisto colony also do?

 

[rdd1952]

The Petco near me just recently started getting in ghost shrimp, and told me they're so popular, they're going to keep getting them regularly. Ask your Petsmart if they'd be willing to try getting some and see how they fare. Tell them they're great little cleaner uppers, and maybe they'll give it a shot.

Ghost shrimp are great scavengers if that's what you mean by cleaner uppers. They don't eat algae though as some people believe. Shrimp make a great addition to any tank and add very little to the bio load. You could actually do a shrimp only tank in the 3 gallon and could probably have 10 or so shrimp without any problems. You would need some plants and hiding places for them though.

Another big plus to ghost shrimp is that most of them are usually sold as feeders in most fish stores. The last ones I bought were 29 cents each. I have heard of people getting them for 5 or even 10 for a dollar. The down side to buying feeders though is that they aren't always very healthy.