kyle88525

Hi, I started a new tank a little over a week ago. It is a 5 gallon tank. When I got it I put a tank starter kit in it. I tested the water today and it read: pH 8.0 ammonia .25ppm nitrite .05ppm I was wondering what I should do about the pH, because it is high. I eventually would like to get 5 neon tetras and they like a slightly acidic tank. I also tested the pH of the tap water and it read the same as my tank. So, should I put a pH decreaser in every time I do a water change? or should I try to get the tetras to live in the higher pH water? Also, I was wondering what the white substance on my gravel and growing on the tank glass is. I'm assuming that it is the good bacteria growing that is needed for the nitrogen cycle. Thanks, Kyle

Isabella

It's never good to artificially alter the pH, so if you can, go with fish that like more alkaline pH. I don't know if Neon Tetras could adjust to a pH of 8.0, as Neons are very delicate fish, but maybe some other species will. Many tropical fish do adapt to higher pH. The point is to have a STABLE pH at all times, and not a constantly fluctuating one.

Besides, you do know that you have to get the smallest possible fish you can for the 5 gallon tank, right? Supposing the fish won't be larger than 1" (when they're adult), you can get 5 of them AT MOST for this tank. I personally wouldn't even keep 1" fish in a 5 gallon tank. But that's me. Hmm, how about a betta? Do you like Bettas? Maybe you could save one Betta from that horrible cup of water it has to live in at a fish store. Five gallons is much better than 1 tiny cup.

I don't know about any white substance settling on gravel and decor as a result of the cycle, but I do know about cloudy water. Cloudy water is a sign of a bacterial bloom - which is good.

kyle88525

Thanks for the advice, maybe I will just get a really cool betta!

dazzler

ther is a grave misjudgement about what bettas do and do not like and i thing that is certain is it will definitely LOVE its new 5 gallon tank that you shall provide i have the best LFS and 2 of them really close by. however they too have them in a jar just over the size of a cup. it baffles me to no end!!! i too will be getting a betta and provide it with a 5g tank just as soon as i can

choose te betta and choose to help one of the most colourful and amazingly curious fish out there

regards
dazzler