mcdonald.kk

So my tank finished cycling 3 or 4 days ago and I did my first water change (5 gallons) on Sunday. I have a 20 gallon tank. I re-tested the water this evening and was disappointed to find that my nitrates are still at 5 ppm. Is this high for nitrates or normal for nitrates? I really wanted to add a fish but not if my water is o.k. My API test kit says nitrates should be below 40ppm for freshwater tanks. Just confused over what I should be shooting for. Thanks!

Lucy

As long as your ammonia and nitrites are 0 and nitrates are 5, it's ok to add fish. Just keep up you weekly water changes to keep the nitrates down.

Now for the fun part! What kind of fish are you going to get?

mcdonald.kk

I've talked with a lot of people and have settled on a yo yo loach and 5 or 6 neons. I know people say that you need to keep loaches in groups but the owner of the fish store that I went to said that unless you keep 6 or more they are likely to kill each other off until there is only one left anyway. He's been keeping fish for 30 yrs so I'm inclined to go with his advice. I am SUPER excited!! I can't wait for tomorrow (which I have off). I'm just going to get the yo yo for starters. I'll then wait for a week or so before adding more fish. I've got 3 great pieces of driftwood for the little guy to hide under and a live planted tank.

Lucy

That sounds great. Have fun tomorrow!
I don't know anything about loaches. I have a few neon and will be adding a few more.....I love watching them.