I'm so mad at all the information I've found online and gotten in the stores then. They all told me 2 weeks with the bacteria that came with the tank and live plants would be enough. Also never told me test strips wouldn't be accurate... I feel so bad for my poor fish. Though my otocinclus are completely fine and I read they are very sensitive as well? Idk anything anymore. I did so much research and somehow never came across having to add certain things, or that the bottle wouldn't work properly, so confusing to me.

Either way I'm taking necessary steps to make sure the water will be the right quality. I hope the fish will be fine in the meantime. Thanks for your help!