I just can't get my water right

[LilD]

I have a 10 gallon
with 3 platys, one white and one black skirt tetra and one ablino cory.

I do not know what my ammonia, nitrite and nitrate levels are, I use a filter that came with the tank and change about 20% once a week. It had 2 hood light bulbs (one of which is burnt out) and it is by a balcony door with no direct light and I have been running it for about a year now. I lost some fish when I moved and had 5 platys before. One of which was one of three born in my tank. My problem is that when I do my water changes, the rocks are filled with rotted food and it smells like ammonia (maybe the level is too high?) and it almost looks like the food is stringy and swaying from the bottom. I don't think I am overfeeding my fish, but the current from the filter just shoots it all to the bottom. My cory is not as active as he used to be and my other fish aren't either. I lost a 12 month old platy and a 3 month old platy within the space of 3 months. Do I just need a better filter? What can I do to make it look nicer (the sides get this gross food slime on the side) and make my fish happier?

[Georgia Peach]

Your first problem is that you dont know what your water parameters are! You need to buy a test kit and test those things.

[ron v]

Originally Posted by LilD

My problem is that when I do my water changes, the rocks are filled with rotted food and it smells like ammonia (maybe the level is too high?) and it almost looks like the food is stringy and swaying from the bottom.

Yeah, you've gotta get that stuff out, whatever it is. Do you "vacuum your gravel"? Maybe turn the filter off for 5 min. when you feed your fish. No food should be left after that length of time.

Bottom line is, you just need to keep your tank clean. Wipe the sides, vacuum the gravel, etc. Shouldn't take more than 5 min./ day.