Apparently, we're writing at the same time.

Hi, I just got your reply, Viktor. 40 gal. And yes, good memory; I did place another filter. Same kind, Marineland 200, to go with the 350 (which is supposed to cover up to a 70 gal tank, I believe). But the 200 crapped out after a mere week. I never touched the biowheels. Hubby has rinsed the charc...

Crazy, right? The tests are brand new and they expire 2025. But I have a correction: The NO2 was 0ppm yesterday, after the water change, but today jumped to .25. Just as the ammonia was .25, but now is .50ppm. This is one day after a 75% water change. As for his gils, I can't ascertain any inflammat...

Hi, I'm back. Update: unrelenting ammonia. No kidding. I've done at least (5) 50% and (1) 75% water changes, using Seachem Prime as a water conditioner and Safe Start to reintroduce healthy bacteria. The same pattern emerges. On day of change, .25ppm ammonia. Next day, .50. It subtly rises until I'm...

Cool. Thanks so much!

Wow, just wow! I had no idea how complex a freshwater tank could be. I'm speechless. Again, thank you all. About the results, I ran the tests again and the numbers are the exact same. According to ammolock, it'll still detect ammonia even if the the ammonia's no longer dangerous. I just have to keep...

AHA! Nitrite 2 and Nitrate 3....My bad. No wonder you were confused. Yes, those were the figures. And I'll add the salt now. Last question, I promise....If the water clears up considerably (but not quite crystal) can I feed him a few pellets? He inhales them immediately and they don't sit at all. I ...

From the internet, I pulled up 1TBSP per gallon. Is that correct? For a 40 gal, that would be about 13 TBSPs of non-idolized salt? Or should I wait to get the stuff from Petco?

Okey, I got both the kit and ammo lock. Tests reveal that ammonia was at 8, nitrate 2 was at .25 and nitrate 3 was at 5. I added the ammo lock, but according to the API booklet, I need to add API/Nitra-zorb/Aqua Detox to remove the nitrate. I don't have that at hand right now, and Petco's closing so...

You are positively awesome and I'll get to it right now. Thank you both!

Thanks for getting back to me so quickly. The tank's been up for at least 2-3 weeks. We dechlorinated it and added some "aquarium bacteria" before putting him in. His last tank had 0 nitrates and I believe 0 ammonia, and he spent a decade in that one. Maybe our tests are off? Anyway, he se...

*feeding regimen, not regiment. I suck at multitasking.

Hi again. Happy (but slightly concerning) update! In the few days he's been getting better food, Stellar's filled out beautifully and some of those silver streaks/patches are disappearing. :) BUT, the extra food has strained the filter, as you predicted. I couldn't yet get a more detailed test kit (...

Good eye! Yes, the tank is new--it's only been going for a couple of weeks. He outgrew his last one, but until now, we never had the money to upgrade. I'd love to get him an even bigger one, but right now this is the best we could afford. And he's so happy in it. The last one, though the water level...

Again, thanks so much!

I picked up Tetra's JumboMin Large floating sticks (says for "monster fish") and he loves them. Filled his little belly. I'll use them and supplement with flakes, frozen brine and blood worms....Poor guy. But, because of you, now I know. THANK YOU!!!

Wow! Thank you so much! We gave him tropical fish flakes, as we did all our other fish. My husband thought he was a Channel catfish, but I didn't think so because of size. Now, since researching about him, I've upped his diet to include brine shrimp and bloodworms. So, drop the flakes and give him m...

Hi, our catfish is at least a decade old, has dark gray with lighter underbelly, and is about 12" long. Bought from Walmart. When we first bought them, he and his 2 brothers were about 2" long. About the same size as our existing fish. These catfish were only aggressive with other fish--ne...