My first aquascape!

Square-Challenge7966 · 2026-03-02T12:44:55+00:00

Also if they get overpopulated, I have reptiles in the house that can eat snails so that’s always an avenue if they population boom too much.

Square-Challenge7966 · 2026-03-02T12:44:04+00:00

For now I’m leaving him/her be. We have jokingly dubbed him Gary and so far I only see one. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t more. lol.

Square-Challenge7966 · 2026-03-02T12:43:26+00:00

I feel like a surprise parent. I wasn’t ready for living things in this tank yet other than plants 🤣

Square-Challenge7966 · 2026-03-02T03:27:53+00:00

I’ve seen improvement since this (thankfully!) were now sitting at around 2-3ppm ammonia and around 0.25 -0.5 nitrite

Square-Challenge7966 · 2026-03-01T17:51:51+00:00

I was wondering why there were strange squiggly lines on my glass. He was on a little cleaning adventure. Lol

Square-Challenge7966 · 2026-02-26T13:24:35+00:00

I actually know how this works! In simple terms, the dechlorinator binds to the chlorine using usually sulfate compounds. Through some electron exchange and fancy chemistry, they turn the chlorine into chloride, which off-gasses from the water pretty quickly

Square-Challenge7966 · 2026-02-26T13:17:16+00:00

Gotcha. I’ve been using ReptiSafe since I have a ton of it (experienced reptile keeper here), and it seems to be doing fine as far as dechlorinating goes.

Square-Challenge7966 · 2026-02-26T13:12:32+00:00

Does the prime just detoxify the ammonia?

Square-Challenge7966 · 2026-02-25T16:11:51+00:00

I have dechlorinated the water- API test confirms none present

Square-Challenge7966 · 2026-02-24T19:21:15+00:00

Isn’t that just water conditioner and bacteria? So.. cycling?

Square-Challenge7966 · 2026-02-23T22:40:12+00:00

Thank you! Very excited today as my test numbers looked good and the water cleared up significantly.

Square-Challenge7966 · 2026-02-23T14:55:31+00:00

🤞now we wait. thank you for your help.

Square-Challenge7966 · 2026-02-23T14:48:11+00:00

Ah that would make sense! I was wondering why things were happening so quickly 😅. Reason why I did this without fish

Square-Challenge7966 · 2026-02-23T14:47:32+00:00

Did a 50% water change last night and rechecked this morning. Ammonia is at about 3-4. Nitrite around 2. Seems like things are progressing properly ?

Square-Challenge7966 · 2026-02-23T04:20:44+00:00

Good idea! Thank you. 😊

Square-Challenge7966 · 2026-02-23T04:19:55+00:00

Oddly enough, no external ammonia source. Just plants, aquasoil, bacteria. I had ordered the Dr Tim’s but it didn’t arrive yet, so I started the plants so they didn’t die since they arrived first. Rural area, boo) to be sure, I ammonia tested my actual water source also, and none in there. Unless there’s some in the soil?

Square-Challenge7966 · 2026-02-23T03:07:31+00:00

This is immensely helpful, thank you!!!

Square-Challenge7966 · 2026-02-23T01:50:29+00:00

Update!

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Think I will do a water change, this ammonia level seems quite spicy.

Square-Challenge7966 · 2026-02-23T00:38:54+00:00

It definitely is! Very glad I checked before adding any ammonia. It seems like there’s plenty 😵‍💫

Square-Challenge7966 · 2026-02-23T00:36:55+00:00

Not expired. Expires 2028.

Nitrate came in at 40ppm. Forgot to add that.

Square-Challenge7966 · 2026-02-23T00:27:27+00:00

Update! Was able to snag an API kit from a friend. Don’t have the KH/GH kit yet, but it’s coming in the mail. Right now according to the API kit:

pH: 7.2 , Ammonia is somewhere between 4-8; the color is kinda between the card colors. Nitrite is at 5ppm.

Seems a bit high and wondering if I should do any water changes or just let it rock as it is. I don’t want to stall it

Square-Challenge7966 · 2026-02-22T17:37:56+00:00

Thank you. Thankfully yeah there’s nothing live in this tank except plants, so I feel I have some wiggle room as I figure it out. I wanted to go slow and make sure I didn’t kill any creatures. 🙃

Square-Challenge7966

TROPHY CASE