A Little Worried

[jpeterson]

Ok just done a water test using API freshwater master test kit and it shows:

pH: 7.4
Ammonia: 0.50ppm
Nitrite: 0.0ppm
Nitrate: 120ppm

Had two Harlequins die last night. Should I do a 10% water change?

I did a water change 4 days ago. There always seems to be an ammonia spike when i do a water change

Any ideas?

 

[fluffycabbage]

Ok just done a water test using API freshwater master test kit and it shows:

pH: 7.4
Ammonia: 0.50ppm
Nitrite: 0.0ppm
Nitrate: 120ppm

Had two Harlequins die last night. Should I do a 10% water change?

I did a water change 4 days ago. There always seems to be an ammonia spike when i do a water change

Any ideas?

A full water change mate, and if you cant manage that, then around the 70-80% mark. ASAP. Have you tested your tap water?

 

[elisew]

A big water change is needed. Ammonia and nitrites should always be at 0, nitrates of around 40 is 'acceptable' but 120 is wayyy high! Test your water straight from your tap to see what the levels are.

I'd seriously recommend at least 70% water change asap.

 

[jpeterson]

Well, im afraid a 70% water change is not possible! Its 00:30am and the tank is to big to be doing 70% water change now. The nitrates have always been quiet high. The plants should arrive for the tank this week which will help bring down the nitrate problem. However, the tank has been cycled for a long time now and the ammonia has always been 0ppm and nitrate around 60ppm. Some reason its gone wild! I have also had 2 corys die in the past month.

 

[elisew]

If your ammonia levels are any amount above 0 then there's obviously a problem. You had 2 fish die last night but haven't done a wc since 4 days ago?
I think that when nitrates get to around the 90-100 then you need to really worry for the health of the fish as well (I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong)

I'd seriously recommend a huge wc first thing in the morning or you'll end up with more of your fish dying.

 

[jpeterson]

Ok i have my tap water specs and im going to do the big water change now as i don't want any more fish dying or them being in this condition any longer!

pH: 7.4
Ammonia: 0.25ppm
Nitrite: 0ppm
Nitrate: 2.5ppm

That is straight from the tap without my API water conditioner - dechlorinator

 

[fluffycabbage]

Well im glad you've decided to do a water change. What are the stats now?

 

[jpeterson]

Done a water change of 50% and the fish seem to be very very lethargic. Haven't tested water as i won't get reliable reading since I just did the water change. I also notice one of the Harlequins only has one eye

 

[fluffycabbage]

Done a water change of 50% and the fish seem to be very very lethargic. Haven't tested water as i won't get reliable reading since I just did the water change. I also notice one of the Harlequins only has one eye

You dont need long for proper results, an hour is definitely long enough. have you got aeration in there at all? theres not a lot you can do except wait and see. you'll have to test the water again soon, then most likely do another water change.

 

[jpeterson]

Yes i have a lot of air going into the tank. Ill just have to see what the situation is in the morning!

 

[fluffycabbage]

Yes i have a lot of air going into the tank. Ill just have to see what the situation is in the morning!

Yep! Hopefully they'll perk up with some fresh water in there Post again tomorrow

 

[jpeterson]

Thanks again for all the help and support. Really worried but nothing more i can do! Just wait

 

[fluffycabbage]

Thanks again for all the help and support. Really worried but nothing more i can do! Just wait

No probs, happened to me when i first got fish, and lost a lot We can only do our best and take advice from places like this. Hopefully all will be well tomorrow bed for me!

 

[Carlovel1]

Ok just done a water test using API freshwater master test kit and it shows:

pH: 7.4
Ammonia: 0.50ppm
Nitrite: 0.0ppm
Nitrate: 120ppm

Had two Harlequins die last night. Should I do a 10% water change?

I did a water change 4 days ago. There always seems to be an ammonia spike when i do a water change

Any ideas?

Sorry for you Harlequin losses mate.
As the others said, a WC is the best thing to do.

My tap water ocasionally has some Nitrates in it.
But I use a product called Tetra Easybalance. The new version of it has some 'nitrate reduction granules'. When I do water changes, I use it as it is excellent at reducing nitrates and it helps to stabilize the water. Also, its pretty cheap, around £3 for a 250ml bottle.

 

[Athena]

Hi - that's a bit of a pain that your tap water has 0.25ppm ammonia (before adding your water conditioner). Just out of curiosity, could you also do a test of tap water with the dechlor added (but before adding to your tank water), to see if it is neutralising most of the ammonia?

Would be interesting to see what level of ammonia, if any, is actually going into the tank at water change times.

Just to help us understand what might be causing the high nitrates, could you let us know your tank size, stock, feeding regime, cleaning/water change routine etc.

Often, when nitrates spiral out of control like this it's a sign of the tank being fully/over stocked, overfed and water changes not regular enough. But if that's not the case here, then it's baffling.

Athena