German Blue Ram breathing very heavy

[Raechal]

Please help. My german blue ram is breathing really heavily and he has gotten a lot darker since yesterday. I added a large airstone and checked the water. Results are below:

am-0
ni-0
na-5

I do 10% water changes everday as I vaccuum the sand everyday and it takes about 10% of the water out of the tank everytime. My water is very good.

My female got really darker and started breathing heavier and the next day she died. He has no signs of illness or anything. Is there anything I can do?

 

[steelhealr]

HI..you left out pH. What is your pH? German rams can be very sensitive. I doubt a nitrate of 5 is the problem. They do prefer slightly acidic soft water as I understand (I have two now for several months and they are doing great). Daily 10% water changes and daily gravel vacuuming sounds a bit aggressive to me. Constantly vacuuming the gravel, upsetting the bacterial filter, and daily changes may be stressing them.....why are you doing it daily? SH

 

[Raechal]

HI..you left out pH. What is your pH? German rams can be very sensitive. I doubt a nitrate of 5 is the problem. They do prefer slightly acidic soft water as I understand (I have two now for several months and they are doing great). Daily 10% water changes and daily gravel vacuuming sounds a bit aggressive to me. Constantly vacuuming the gravel, upsetting the bacterial filter, and daily changes may be stressing them.....why are you doing it daily? SH

The PH is right at 7. I do it everday because I have a sand substrate and it gets really dirty on the surface with poo. I just hover over the sand in the spots that are really dirty.

 

[Raechal]

He died lastnight.