Update: I asked OFL about this, and she asked me to test the tap water, the treated tap water, and then the tank water. I'm afraid the results I came up with are not good.
I must have done something wrong. All three read .5ppm ammonia, 0 nitrites, and 5ppm nitrates. The only difference between the test was that the untreated tap water read 7.4 PH and the other two read 8 PH. I took pictures of all three to easily compare them since I only have four vials.
This is very concerning. I am going to try to get Seachem Prime as soon as I can, but there is no place in town that I can get it. I'll either have to have my brother pick it up, or order it online. I really do not want to pay for $6 shipping again, because I just ordered a heater last thursday and paid for the shipping on that. Either way, I'll have to wait because my brother does not come to town every day.
I know that Prime only neutralizes ammonia for 24-48 hours so it's not a permanent fix. I think I may need to get live plants.. But I do not want any that I have to change the substrate for, or any that will die easily, or be incredibly dirty... or will need a lot of light, for that matter, haha. I can keep a fish alive, but plants are usually another story.
I need some kind of temporary fix until my tanks cycle... By then, the Prime will work just fine. I'm really hoping I just read the tests wrong, but I don't think that is the case. I have pictures of all of them, and they are all very consistent.
Check out the eBook Betta Fish Care Made Easy
