Who Gives A Fish Forums

Exactly. Plants are a bonus, not a solution. Focus on getting the cycle stable first, then add plants if you want.

My betta tank's ammonia levels keep spiking, even with regular water changes. I'm using a 5-gallon tank with a sponge filter, and I feed him twice a day. What am I missing?


Have you tested your tap water? Sometimes the source has ammonia. Also, make sure your filter media isn't too clean, you ...

I've been told that it could be related to Mycobacterium internal cysts, depending on where they develop. It's possible that these cysts can affect the swim bladders in a slow, chronically developing way. Diamonds don't have any special disposition to this, and Mycobacter is an infection that can ...

@miguel - I agree with you. Swim bladders inflate from intestinal gas, and blockages cause problems with balance. But let's be clear, there's no such thing as swim bladder disease. It's a symptom of various issues - bowel blockage, infections, cysts, inflammation, or simply wrong food choices. We ...

I've been told that it could be related to Mycobacterium internal cysts, depending on where they develop. It's possible that these cysts can affect the swim bladders in a slow, chronically developing way. Diamonds don't have any special disposition to this, and Mycobacter is an infection that can ...

Mine likes to chill in and play around anacharis.