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Freshwater aquarium help?
I've started a 10 gallon tank about 3.5 weeks ago. My fish and eve my snails keep dying. I've had my water tested three times and took every bit of instruction - no change.
I read somewhere that the optimal way to set up a tank is through relatively long stages where each element is added separately and the X period of time before the next step.
Anyone know it? Link me or tell me, PLEASE!
20 years ago I had a 20 gallon tank that gave me no trouble at all. Dunno what's wrong.
1 Answer
- noselessmanLv 75 years agoFavorite Answer
You should do a fishless cycle. That is probobly what you heard about.
In a new tank - Animal waste and food waste turns into burning ammonia. Which is toxic for fish. Healthy bacteria will start to develope in the tank. they will work to destroy ammonia, but the will turn it into nitrite, which is also toxic. Soon another bacteria develops and turns the nitrite into nitrate. And nitrate are safe in normal amounts. you do weekly partial water changes to keep nitrates in the 15-30 ppm range.
All fish tanks with a filter will eventually become cycled, and that is how your 20 gallon was successfull, bigger tanks have more leeway, you may have had hardier fish, or healthier fish, or more water to fish ratio, or just more luck.
