Florin Andrei
New Member
I'm making progress with my new 10 gal aquarium. I added more tetras to a total of 6, they seem pretty happy. I added a small bottom feeder that looks like a pleco only it's a bit more white-ish and I was told it won't grow beyond its current size (2.5"); the little one cleaned up all the algae everywhere real quick, now the aquarium looks shiny and new.
The good news is that ammonia and nitrites levels are zero. The other news is, the nitrates, which were a steady 5 ppm before, are quite naturally now going up, currently 10:
water test results
I will do regular water changes, maybe weekly, but meanwhile my question is - what is considered a "safe" nitrates level? Are there any differences between long-term safe vs. short-term safe?
The pH is also decreasing, due to the piece of wood, or bogwood, which is fine and it's on purpose. Water changes should take care of that. I'm looking to obtain a "steady state" aquarium in the long term, so I'll leave the wood alone for a while, and I'll watch what it does to the water. If it keeps pulling the pH down aggressively, I'll reduce its size. If it levels off after a while, then I won't do anything.
The good news is that ammonia and nitrites levels are zero. The other news is, the nitrates, which were a steady 5 ppm before, are quite naturally now going up, currently 10:
water test results
I will do regular water changes, maybe weekly, but meanwhile my question is - what is considered a "safe" nitrates level? Are there any differences between long-term safe vs. short-term safe?
The pH is also decreasing, due to the piece of wood, or bogwood, which is fine and it's on purpose. Water changes should take care of that. I'm looking to obtain a "steady state" aquarium in the long term, so I'll leave the wood alone for a while, and I'll watch what it does to the water. If it keeps pulling the pH down aggressively, I'll reduce its size. If it levels off after a while, then I won't do anything.
