Who Gives A Fish Forums

Yeah, crashing the cycle's a nightmare. I test my water weekly just to be safe. Ammonia spikes are no joke with bettas.

I usually rinse mine every 4-6 weeks, but it depends on your tank's bio load. If you've got a lot of plants or just one fish, you can probably stretch it. Just use tank water, not tap, to keep the good bacteria.


Exactly this. Also, if your water's cloudy or the flow slows down, that's a sign it ...

I've had success with a quick bleach dip for really bad infestations. 1 part bleach to 20 parts water, 2 minutes max, then rinse thoroughly. Works like a charm, but it's a last resort.

If your stems are melting, it could also be a nutrient imbalance. Are you seeing any algae? That's usually a sign something's off. I'd test your phosphate levels too. Sometimes they're the missing piece.

Took my tank about 3 months to really hit its stride. You gotta remember, plants need time to adjust. What's your lighting schedule? I run mine 8 hours with a siesta in the middle. Also, how often are you dosing ferts? I swear by Thrive+.


I agree with the adjustment period. My 40-gallon took 4 ...

I've heard good things about Cardinal Tetras. Are they harder to keep than Neons? My tank's at 78°F, pH around 6.8.


Cardinals are tougher than Neons long-term. Neons are often bred in harder water, so they don't always thrive in soft setups like yours. Cardinals will outlive them if you keep ...