HELP!!!!

[bbq1234]

okay my bala shark and guppy just died .. i took my water to petco and they said my hardness of water was really high and my nitrates were at 80. I bought a water pillow that goes in the filter and lowers the hardness of water. How do I lower the nitates?!?! I just bought some sand from the local petstore that had seashells in it... the petco people said it should be fine...... anyone got any suggestions

 

[SirMinion]

Pretty much everyone here said the seashell sand would not be fine, yet you decided to believe the incorrect advice given by a employee of pet store with a less than favourable reputation instead and now your fish are dying.

I'm sorry, but I'm disinclined to offer advice to people who ignore it.

However, for the sake of your fish.. Your water chemistry is all to hell because of your sand. It needs to come out and get replaced.

Nitrates are the end result of the breakdown of ammonia compounds by bacteria. To reduce nitrates all that is needed is water changes with conditioned tap water. (assuming that your tap water doesn't have 80ppm nitrates!)

 

[bbq1234]

should i filter out the shells and leave in the sand?

 

[SirMinion]

Sorry, no, all the sand need to come out.

 

[gaya]

I have a problem with nitrates in the summer. learned that from someone on this board! during the warm months i use one of those deionizer things and water changes at least twice a week.

 

[SirMinion]

I have a problem with nitrates in the summer...during the warm months i use one of those deionizer things and water changes at least twice a week.

How much did it cost please?

 

[bbq1234]

ok im taking out the sand and putting it in my future marine tank
what kind fo sand should i put in... its so tough to take out the sand because of all my corys!!!!

 

[SirMinion]

Take the cories out and bag them while you do it.

Play sand, pool filter sand, freshwater aquarium sand or anything suitable by CaribSea. It's all good.

If it looks like it's made from crushed chalk, shells or coral, don't buy it.

 

[bbq1234]

i though carib sea was for marine tanks
hey man how much did your zebra plecs cost... i want em so badddd
and are u related to lady minion???

 

[SirMinion]

1) I though carib sea was for marine tanks
2) hey man how much did your zebra plecs cost
3) and are u related to lady minion???

1) CaribSea also make marine substrates.

2) We don't have any zebra plecs!

3) Yes, she's my Wife.

 

[bbq1234]

i thought i saw a pic of one u had on members pictures......
i saw a pic of your wifes tank what kind fo sand does she use.. its really white i like white sand like almost on a beach.. what do u recomend

 

[bbq1234]

MINION U THERE???

 

[SirMinion]

Yes, I'm here, but as I'm at work, I cannot always anwer immediately. this is not a chat room!

The sand in our 55gallon is pale yellow and came in an unlabled bag from our LFS. I think it might be beach sand, but I'm not sure.

 

[bbq1234]

ok...
would u recomend silica

 

[richgonfishn]

I keep reading this over and over just to look at all the PERFECT women. You all are very beautiful. Even though I'm a Sacramento KINGS fan, you all blow away the cheerleaders here in Sacto. Keep shakin it!! You all look sooooo fine!!

Oh, I hope your fish are doing better!!

Sacramento Kings Fan!!

GO KINGS!!

BTW- You're the hottest on the squad!!