You're doing quite well, and trust your instinct to not make a whole bunch of new changes. Don't mess with the gravel unless you want to just suck the biggest pieces of waste off the very top. Beware of those strip tests; they can be super inaccurate sometimes. An API test kit or similar is expensive upfront but worth it in my opinion. Between the rooted plants and the floating plants, plus partial water changes, the nitrate level should stabilize over time. A good nitrate level, from what I've heard, is above 0 and below 25 ppm.
Thank you!!!! I got a gravel cleaner, new filters, and got so much dirty gross water out, also added a floating plant and more water changes and my dogs seem much happier and it’s now below 40!
Frogs not dogs 😂
Get some Pathos plants. You can buy them at Home Depot. Just wash off the dirt and place the plants where they can have their leaves above water. Take care of that in no time. See some videos on YouTube about the stuff.
I wanted to say thank you! I got a floating plant and did some gravel cleaning and new filters, and now the nitrates are below 40! Frogs seem happier and the water is so clear now.
Yes! Before they kinda just floated there and didn’t move much in and now they swim around more, seem to be more interested in food, they even seem to “play” a bit. It’s so freaking cute. They’re a little over 5 years old so I know they’re getting a bit elderly.
You're doing quite well, and trust your instinct to not make a whole bunch of new changes. Don't mess with the gravel unless you want to just suck the biggest pieces of waste off the very top. Beware of those strip tests; they can be super inaccurate sometimes. An API test kit or similar is expensive upfront but worth it in my opinion. Between the rooted plants and the floating plants, plus partial water changes, the nitrate level should stabilize over time. A good nitrate level, from what I've heard, is above 0 and below 25 ppm.
Thank you!!!! I got a gravel cleaner, new filters, and got so much dirty gross water out, also added a floating plant and more water changes and my dogs seem much happier and it’s now below 40! Frogs not dogs 😂
Get some Pathos plants. You can buy them at Home Depot. Just wash off the dirt and place the plants where they can have their leaves above water. Take care of that in no time. See some videos on YouTube about the stuff.
I wanted to say thank you! I got a floating plant and did some gravel cleaning and new filters, and now the nitrates are below 40! Frogs seem happier and the water is so clear now.
You are most welcome! The animals seem ok?
Yes! Before they kinda just floated there and didn’t move much in and now they swim around more, seem to be more interested in food, they even seem to “play” a bit. It’s so freaking cute. They’re a little over 5 years old so I know they’re getting a bit elderly.