Ammonia spike

Hi again,
Question on water testing...I test every 3 days or so as I am getting used to keeping an aquarium. Well today I had between a .25 and .5ppm on ammonia and 5.0 on NO3. NO2 normal and my pH was between 7.2 and 7.6. I did a two gal water change on my 10 gal tank and added RO water back to the tank. Waited an 1hr or so and tested again and my levels were at .25ppm ammonia and between 5 and 0 NO3. Did a second water change this time 3 gal and my ammonia is between. 25 and 0 with NO3 fine. I am guessing I am overfeeding? Do I do another change or wait a day? I have blue gravel with 1 inch of white sand over top. Fish are swimming like normal after second change. Any advice is appreciated.

Can I suggest you put some live plants into your tank that will help things. It looks as tho the ammonia levels are coming down, so just keep an eye on it. You want ammonia at zero.

What types?

Try java fern, maybe some frogbit, dwarf sagittaria to start.

Thank you. I ordered them today. Love your profile picture!

heatherpooreks said:

Thank you. I ordered them today. Love your profile picture!

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I got the plant fertilizer from Aquarium Co op which has been great. You just put in one squirt of the bottle per week per 10 gallons and it works great. You might want to consider some root tabs for the dwarf sagittaria or anything that is a root feeder. That will really help your plants grow. Make sure you have a decent light. Good luck!