water changes, filter cover? and few other ?'s

[tishygirl]

Like most beginners, I did things a little out of order. I have had aquariums for 2 months now, and have been doing water changes. But I finally got myself a test kit. I feel like I'm back in chemistry class I got the one with the little vials you fill with water, and then put so many drops of chemicals in them...

tank # 1 .. ph 7.6 high range ph looks more like 7.4-5.
Ammonia is between 0-.25
nitrites 0
nitrates 20-30.

how do I go about lowering the PH? or is it ok ? I have a molly in that tank.

results from tank 2

high range ph 7.7 looks like
ammonia 0-.25
nitrites 0
nitrates 5

My tap water ph is about 7.7-7.8

Should I just continue with water changes? I'm usually doing a gallon or two every day or two. Do I need to increase that ? I havent done one today yet. could be why the ammonia is going up, I did one yesterday, and last night it was still 0.

Oh, and one more question... when I take water from my more cycled tank, should I put that into my uncycled one to help it along?

Wow, the more I read, the more questions I come up with..... I dont have any living plants in my aquarium, as I figured I would try and get good at fish before I tried to take care and keep plants alive as well... I have quite a few silk and plastic ones....Is this ok ? I see almost everyone around here has living plants. I wonder if I am doing more harm than good to my aquarium without the living plants ??

 

[rdd1952]

Your pH is fine. You don't ever want to use chemicals to adjust that. As long as the pH is stable, fish will adjust and hove no problems. Fish have problems when the pH fluctuates. If you use chemicals, the pH will never be stable but will range from 7.0 to the 7.5 it currently is. Have you checked the pH of your tap water to see how it compares to the tank pH. You do need to keep an eye on the ammonia reading though. Ammonia and nitrite should ALWAYS be zero. A reading on either is the sign of an uncycled tank. Water changes are the best way to keep those in check while the tank cycles.

Edit: Almost forgot---Welcome to the forum.

 

[tishygirl]

Lost one of my little long finned danios Got caught in the filter, and I was just telling hubby last night we needed to get a screen over that 'cause its such a big filter, and we have some little fish

Anyway, I was going to cut my fish catching net and rubberband that on the end of the tube, since I need a bigger net anyway, is this good material to use ? wont plug up my filter and will keep fish from getting stuck in the slats at the bottom?

I bought the danios in a pair, should I go back and get another ? Or will the one I have be ok and get along with the guppies , mollies, and platys?

 

[tishygirl]

It looks like my remaining danio has become buddies with my loner guppy.. I have 4 guppies, the 3 hang out and play together all the time, but the 4th has never really been part of the 'school'... He tends to swim around alone.. now that the danio lost his buddy, they appear to be friends... guess the guppy has a case of mistaken identity.... lol

 

[tishygirl]

anyone ? anyone ? help? please. lol

 

[fish_keeper2]

i think the fish net material should be fine.....by the way what size tank are they and how many fish each. and what kind of filtration do you have.

 

[Tolak]

A piece of sponge like the type used in filters is the best for intakes. Just slice a slit in it big enough to cover the intake & slide it over.. It doesn't plug as easily as net, screen, or nylon stocking, diffuses the suction better, and adds extra area for bio filtration.

Tolak

 

[tishygirl]

Its a 44g tank. The filter is a Fluval canister, its the size meant for a 70g tank, 340? I think.

I have 2 dwarf gouramis, 5 mollies, 4 guppy's, 2 platys and a long finned danio in there now.


the filter material is a good idea, I think I am going to do that. should help with my cycling in progress as well ..

Anyone have answers to my gazillion other questions? I am still very new at this, and was doing a good job with my 10gallon and a few fish, but since hubby got me the big tank, things have gotten more complicated.. especially now that I have a chemistry kit too LOL

I just want to make sure I do everything I can for these little guys to keep them happy and healthy.. I feel bad that hubby threw fish in the tank immediatly, so now I need to make it work... THANKS so much for the help!

 

[tishygirl]

After watching the fish all day yesterday and this morning.. I think that my danio may have gotten chased to death, rather than stuck in the filter... have been doing a bunch of reading on here, and people suggest getting them in groups, not pairs, because they get a dominance thing...
I've seen lots of the other fish hang out under the filter intake with no problems... I can't see how that one would have just gone in and gotten stuck....

*shrug* whole new experience for me lol... time to test my water again.

high range ph 7.5
ammonia 0
nitrites 0
nitrates 5