Lucy

As long as your parameters are ok, I would think two would be fine.

Minnow

What if the water is still at .25? Would the corys be ok, or should I wait until I get rid of all the ammonia?

Sorry I have so many questions, I just want to be super cautious and do things right the second time around. The last time I had fish in my tank, I did a lot of things wrong and it was a very disheartening experience. I really appreciate all the help you've given me

Lucy

That's ok, ask as many questions as you need. I know it's hard to be patient, but let's see what the readings are tomorrow.

What kind of test are you using?

Minnow

I use the API liquid test kit, since I've heard on here that it's the most accurate.

If I can go to the fish store tomorrow, I think I'll try to convince my dad to give up a few of his mollies, since he's overstocked and his two pregnant mollies won't do much to help with that. Will taking the pregnant fish and the male back help with his nitrates? I can't tell if they're at 20 or 40, it's hard to match up the test tube with the color card.

Lucy

I use the API kit also. I really like it.
I wish I had an answer for the ammonia in your tap water.

A reading of 20 is ok for nitrates. If it's 40, he can bring that down with water changes. I understand live plants keep nitrates down also but I don't know anything about planted tanks.

Beeker

Removing some of your dad's stock will help to bring the nitrate readings down a bit, but he will also have to do frequent water changes. And, yes, plants use nitrates as fertilizer, that is why cognizant had such beautiful flowers and big veggies in her garden. Live plants in tanks are very good at clearing out the nitrates. I have read in a few places that if you are starting a planted tank, you don't have to worry about waiting for the tank to cycle because the plants will take care of keeping the water healthy for the fish. I am not completely sure, but it makes sense.

soldieroffortune1974

That's not really true,in my experience. A plant can't do anything with the ammonia until it is converted to nitrates,and it can't convert ammonia to nitrites,to nitrates,without the cycle being completed. Putting the plants in an aquarium of ammonia,will inhibit their respiration as much as the fish. In order for the plants to function properly,the same as for fish;the cycle has to be complete or nearly complete.

Beeker

Thank you for clearing that up for me.

Minnow

In an hour, I'm going to test my water, and hopefully go get two corys. I was watching my fish tank just now, and I noticed that my two neons aren't getting along. I always figured they schooled with the glowlights, and they do swim together sometimes, but one neon is larger than the other. I saw it chasing the little one around and nipping at it, and when I looked closely, the little one has a few little tears in its fins. I've been giving them Vitachem for a while now, so hopefully that will help it recover.

Will getting one more neon help with the agression? I don't want to get too many, because I want to have room for a few more guppies and a dwarf gourami, along with the school of 5 corys. If one more would help, should I get it today along with the corys, or would that be too many? I know neons are delicate; I lost three to my cycle, and I don't want to hurt any more fish.

Lucy

Adding a few neons might help the problem, but then again, you might also have a bully.
Good luck with the test.

Minnow

The ammonia is at .25. Is this safe? Please reply quickly, if I'm going to the store today, I need to leave soon.

sgould

No, any ammonia reading above 0 is not good. Adding more fish right now could well contribute to a large ammonia spike. I would wait until it, and nitrite, is back to 0.

Lucy

I agree with Sean. The big but here is that you have an ammonia reading of .25 right out of the tap, right?

I think I posted earlier about this, I honestly don't know what to do about ammonia in your tap water.
I'm trying to recall, I think another member had this problem and controled it with Prime.

Minnow

Okay. I'm going to the store anyway to return a few of my dad's fish, I suppose I'll have to wait to get my corys Thanks

sgould

Ah...I missed that. If that's the case, you'll have a reading everytime you change water. If it spikes no higher than .25, and is back to 0 again within 24 hours, you can probably get away with just using a little detoxifier (I like Lucy's Prime suggestion) with your water changes.

Minnow

No, it was 1.0 out of the tap. 24 hours later, it was at .25, so it did go down some. I went to the fish store and returned a few of my dad's fish, and I was so bummed because they had the cutest little False Julii corys! They also had Emerald Green ones, but I think when I get mine, I'll get the juliis. I've never seen a cory besides in pictures, and I fell in love.

I bought a new bottle of Stress Coat +, since I only had half a bottle left. I believe it does the same thing as Prime does. I also bought Hikari Sinking Wafers, for when I get my corys.

Lucy

I found a thread about another member that has ammonia in their tap water.
Here's what sirdarksol recommended:
Here's the thread:
Ammonia in Tap Water

I hope that helps.

JCV

I found R O water to be a good use.

It's got nothing in it but plain water, so there is no risk of chlorine, chloramine, ammonia, or heavy metals.

I usually use the water for my puffers, and community fishes.