Getting worried now

[Metermaid]

I am having trouble reading my Nitrate test kit, tap water is 10 ppm, I think the tank water is between 40 and 80 but possibly a bit higher. Is this sort of reading a real problem for Mbuna ? I am currently doing a preventative Ich treatment and so didn't really want to do a water change and dilute the medicine.

What do you guys think?

 

[Ferris]

80 or more is high, a couple of water changes wouldn't go amiss until the readings drop. Mbuna like any fish will not tolerate high Nitrate for long. Don't panic though, the water changes will reduce the readings.

 

[freddyk]

Why the preventative ich treatment? These fish don't need this.

 

[Metermaid]

I am doing the preventative Ich treatment because I put a new fish in the tank which showed up white spots after 2 days - took him out and treated in a hospital tank.

 

[freddyk]

Ahhh, so it actually has ich. I gathered by preventetive you meant just in case. Continue with the meds, then do some waterchanges to get the nitrates down. If the nitrates continue to rise you may want to do a water change anyway and add more meds for those lost.

 

[Metermaid]

Thanks Freddy - Ich treatment finished today - so have just done 30% and nitrates are now down to 20 ppm so things are improving !

 

[G_Sharky]

Add some aquarium salt to your tank...your cichlid will thank you for that...It helps them to cope with stress and to fight of some of the ICH bacteria left in your tank...