Please, Pretty Please!!

What could cause the alkalinity of my 5 gallon tank to sky rocket?!?! I tested my tap and it's actually on the lower side...

The tank was cycled with TSS two weeks ago. Water parameters were 0 ammonia 0 nitrites 20 nitrates. No nitrates in my tap water.

Lastly other than a betta was is appropriate for this tank?? Would a dwarf gourami be ok??

P.s. I have returned the previous guppy inhabitants

Thank u!!

 

By alkalinity do you mean ph? What is the reading for it.

Your water readings look good. Now you just need to do regular weekly water changes to keep your nitrates under 20ppm.

Really in a 5 gallon, there are no fish you could really add in with the Betta. Possibly a snail or some shrimp, but they could become dinner.

 

No not Ph. Alkalinity was dark blue, indication around 300. Freshwater range should be between 120-180.

 

seeing how the tank is relatively newly cycled, it could still be settling down...if not, you can maybe add some peat moss to the filter to help...or do a few water changes as jd suggested....I also wouldnt add any other fish to this tank...especially not a DG as they are too closely related to the betta and you will have a war on your hands

 

There is nothing in the tank. I returned the guppys that were in there. I don't want both a betta and gourami. Lol. I would like one or the other. Is that ok?? I'm leaning towards a sunset honey gourami.

 

There is nothing in the tank. I returned the guppys that were in there. I don't want both a betta and gourami. Lol. I would like one or the other. Is that ok?? I'm leaning towards a sunset honey gourami.

whooops sorry I thought the betta was in there ...1 or the other would be perfect!!!

EDIT: make sure you are feeding the tank or hook the filter onto your established 20 gallon so you don't loose the cycle

 

Ive never had a betts but I'm getting one. What do I decorate with

 

Honestly the high alkalinity is a good thing as it will help keep the ph stable. As for for how it did it at the end of the nitrogen cycle alkalinity is released back into the water where as at the beginning on the cycle it is removed from the water to complete the cycle.

 

Thank u all so very much!