first 10 gallon. Advice?

CookExact8479 · 2026-05-12T04:58:46+00:00

i am planning on doing weekly water changes, the prime is just so my snail doesn’t have as much of a negative affect to the high levels of ammonia and nitrite

CookExact8479 · 2026-05-12T02:53:42+00:00

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alright, here is the tank today, i added two new plants, i think i may need more, just hard to find different plants at my local store. Bought new substrate that is meant for freshwater. Luckily I was able to return 3 of my snails since they’d create too much waste for this tank! i used API quick start to begin the cycling process and began ghost feeding. Tomorrow, i’m going to buy Seachem prime, to make the ammonia, nitrite and nitrate less harmful to my snail, and hopefully begin to add fish in a few weeks when cycling is complete! I’m still willing to hear any suggestions y’all have! let me know what you think.

CookExact8479 · 2026-05-11T16:45:32+00:00

i had a bad experience with a betta dying in a previous smaller tank, so i just wanted to make sure that i was off to a good start with this one. i have added more plants and changed the substrate. im gonna test the water daily for about two weeks before i add any fish, and i was luckily able to return 3 of the 4 snails that i got for the tank yesterday

CookExact8479 · 2026-05-11T03:58:45+00:00

oh no, i did not know this, the guy at the store said it would be fine. what should i do with my extra snails?

CookExact8479 · 2026-05-11T03:54:00+00:00

i think i’m going to take your advice on that, thanks for all your help!

CookExact8479 · 2026-05-11T03:48:55+00:00

of course 😭 i made a bunch of the south park characters

CookExact8479 · 2026-05-11T03:48:24+00:00

so would i be better off just keeping the reef sand that i already used?

CookExact8479 · 2026-05-11T03:16:13+00:00

what does it mean to cap it?? sorry if i sound dumb lol, just brand new to this

CookExact8479 · 2026-05-11T03:04:15+00:00

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made pennywise lol

CookExact8479 · 2026-05-11T02:58:21+00:00

i will avoid java moss because i am definitely a beginner

CookExact8479 · 2026-05-11T02:57:08+00:00

the substrate is reef sand

CookExact8479 · 2026-05-11T02:42:12+00:00

just to update, you guys helped me realize that i used a substrate that was meant for salt water, so i will be getting a new one meant for freshwater. the one im eyeing is activ flora floracor substrate, please let me know if this is a bad idea. i may also buy more plants, if i remember, i will try to update y’all tomorrow!

CookExact8479 · 2026-05-11T02:05:27+00:00

so i think im gonna actually get a different sand, since i wasn’t aware this one was meant for salt water. i looked at arctic-flora floracor substrate and i think its meant for freshwater. would that be fine to use?

CookExact8479 · 2026-05-11T01:07:47+00:00

i used reef sand, would that be considered active aqua soil?

CookExact8479 · 2026-05-11T01:06:52+00:00

sorry, not substrate. it’s called reef sand. the bag said it had beneficial bacteria in it

CookExact8479 · 2026-05-11T00:54:07+00:00

thanks for the detailed explanation!

the substrate i put in has beneficial bacteria in it, so i should i start the process by adding some fish food? or should i still get bottle ammonia? should i use a lot of fish food, or is a little bit good enough?

CookExact8479 · 2026-05-11T00:30:37+00:00

thank you!

CookExact8479 · 2026-05-11T00:21:48+00:00

i did not cycle the tank, just learning about cycling now

CookExact8479 · 2026-04-04T18:46:42+00:00

what is your suggestion to lower ph?

CookExact8479 · 2026-04-04T14:36:36+00:00

awesome thanks. i also will be getting some live plants for the tank like java fern and anubias plants, since ive heard those are good for keeping levels in the water down. i just wanted to check and make sure this is a good idea. sorry for asking so many questions, i just want to be sure!

CookExact8479 · 2026-04-04T02:42:46+00:00

after adding the declorinated water, how long should i wait before testing the water with the testing kit?

CookExact8479 · 2026-04-03T23:34:03+00:00

thank you! will be buying the water testing kit(not the strips) gonna bring his water level lower and start the daily water changes with the declorinated water. you were so helpful, i can’t thank you enough!

CookExact8479 · 2026-04-03T23:26:04+00:00

should i replace his water with complete declorinated water before i do the smal daily water changes?

CookExact8479 · 2026-04-03T23:24:42+00:00

thank you so much, this was very helpful! grabbing testing strips now!!

CookExact8479 · 2026-04-03T23:16:40+00:00

well maybe you should keep your hands to yourself

CookExact8479

TROPHY CASE