K, so after constant issues with my smaller 20 gallon I went and got a new tank. We have no space for a 55 gal., so the 46 gallon was the next best thing since it fit in the hole.
So, In this huge tank I have 10 fish plus a pleco. I MOVED ALL of the gravel over from the old 20 gallon tank, along with the decorations and plants and DID NOT clean them. I added new gravel along with it to this new 46 gallon tank as I didn't have enough old from the smaller 20 gal. tank.
I lost 2 fish on the move, they went belly up in the new tank. I think due to ammonia poisoning from the 20 gallon they were shoved into and Its just too litte too late for those two. So we are down to 8 and a pleco.
The water was crystal clear when I first put it in. I added PRIME and Safe Start along with my 11 fish (but then I lost two overnight remember, so we are down to 9 now). Today the water is just very slightly cloudy and I have an ammonia reading of "stress" on the little test strip. For tonight, as its already past 9 my time and I don't know what to do - I wont be taking any action on the situation.
I have two penguin 150 B bio wheel filters. I put NEW filter media into one of them but KEPT the media from the other. I did rinse the filter catridges out in the sink before I reused them so that may have lost me some bacteria there. Both filters are hooked up and pumping as we speak.
So, I have some questions now in order to do this right and not lose any more fish:
What do I do about this ammonia situation? Why am I showing slight ammonia in a brand new tank of this size with small (inch, inch a half) fish in it, and only 9 of them in there?
What else do I need to do in order to cycle this tank effectively?
Secondly, are two penguin 150 B's enough filtration on a 46 gallon? How much GPH should I be using on a tank this size? Is there a "super" filter I should be using that will ensure my tank is always crystal clear? A better brand, more GPH, anything?
What watt heater do I need for this tank?
Finally, the test strips are OK, but can someone link to me the kit I need that will give me actual number readings on my water for every measurement I would need to take - ph, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, etc...
Thanks in advance all.
Bueller
So, In this huge tank I have 10 fish plus a pleco. I MOVED ALL of the gravel over from the old 20 gallon tank, along with the decorations and plants and DID NOT clean them. I added new gravel along with it to this new 46 gallon tank as I didn't have enough old from the smaller 20 gal. tank.
I lost 2 fish on the move, they went belly up in the new tank. I think due to ammonia poisoning from the 20 gallon they were shoved into and Its just too litte too late for those two. So we are down to 8 and a pleco.
The water was crystal clear when I first put it in. I added PRIME and Safe Start along with my 11 fish (but then I lost two overnight remember, so we are down to 9 now). Today the water is just very slightly cloudy and I have an ammonia reading of "stress" on the little test strip. For tonight, as its already past 9 my time and I don't know what to do - I wont be taking any action on the situation.
I have two penguin 150 B bio wheel filters. I put NEW filter media into one of them but KEPT the media from the other. I did rinse the filter catridges out in the sink before I reused them so that may have lost me some bacteria there. Both filters are hooked up and pumping as we speak.
So, I have some questions now in order to do this right and not lose any more fish:
What do I do about this ammonia situation? Why am I showing slight ammonia in a brand new tank of this size with small (inch, inch a half) fish in it, and only 9 of them in there?
What else do I need to do in order to cycle this tank effectively?
Secondly, are two penguin 150 B's enough filtration on a 46 gallon? How much GPH should I be using on a tank this size? Is there a "super" filter I should be using that will ensure my tank is always crystal clear? A better brand, more GPH, anything?
What watt heater do I need for this tank?
Finally, the test strips are OK, but can someone link to me the kit I need that will give me actual number readings on my water for every measurement I would need to take - ph, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, etc...
Thanks in advance all.
Bueller