Hi Folks,
OK, I'm running out of ideas and need some expert advice I think. Approx two weeks ago I was doing a 15% water change (which admittedly was probably about a week overdue) as I had seen my nitrate levels rising. As per usual I gave the filter media a gentle rinse in the removed tank water and immediately returned it to a running pump. However, almost as soon as I'd finished the water change the water went very cloudy....almost as though smoke were blowing through it - I understand this to be a bacterial bloom. The next day my nitrate levels and ammonia all shot up and so I added AmmoLoc. From that point on I started losing fish (Gourami, tetra, danio, platty).
After 2 days I went back to my LFS and they told me to leave the tank for a further 2 days and then do a 15% water change followed by a 10% water change after a further 3 days.
I followed the instructions but after 3 days there was no improvement in the milky bloom and so I added a second (Fluval) filter to try and increase my filtration efffectivity. Now after a further 2 days the bloom has all but disappeared and I've had no deaths for 3 days.
However, whilst my free ammonia looks OK (Seachem ammonia multi-test kit), my total ammonia and nitrate readings (API Master Test Kit) still aren't right and I was wondering if anyone can offer any guidance/reassurance?
Tank size: 64l
pH: 7.4
ammonia: 6.0ppm (Total) & ~0ppm (Free)
nitrite: 0ppm
nitrate: 10ppm
tank temp: 76
Feeding regime: Small pinch of flake food every 3rd day.
Fish Symptoms (include full description including lesion, color, location, fish behavior): Have lost 6 fish in the last 10 days. They all just started slowing down and then basically died. No other visible symptoms.
Volume and Frequency of water changes: Currently every 3-4 days 10-15%, before that it was 15% every 2-3 weeks.
Chemical Additives or Media in your tank: Interpet pump/filter with standard sponge and JBL Filtax Micromec balls.
Tank inhabitants: 2 zebra Danios, 1 Platty, 1 Molly, 2 Harlequins, 1 Cherry Barb, 3 Amano shrimp.
Tank decoration: 2 plastic plants and 4 living plants (various types...not sure of their names though).
Recent additions to your tank (living or decoration): None
Exposure to chemicals: Normally nothing except Interpet Flora Boost. Per above I have used ammo-lock to try and control spike but have done 2 10% water changes since then.
Source water: RO (no added minerals) from Maidenhead Aquatics.
OK, I'm running out of ideas and need some expert advice I think. Approx two weeks ago I was doing a 15% water change (which admittedly was probably about a week overdue) as I had seen my nitrate levels rising. As per usual I gave the filter media a gentle rinse in the removed tank water and immediately returned it to a running pump. However, almost as soon as I'd finished the water change the water went very cloudy....almost as though smoke were blowing through it - I understand this to be a bacterial bloom. The next day my nitrate levels and ammonia all shot up and so I added AmmoLoc. From that point on I started losing fish (Gourami, tetra, danio, platty).
After 2 days I went back to my LFS and they told me to leave the tank for a further 2 days and then do a 15% water change followed by a 10% water change after a further 3 days.
I followed the instructions but after 3 days there was no improvement in the milky bloom and so I added a second (Fluval) filter to try and increase my filtration efffectivity. Now after a further 2 days the bloom has all but disappeared and I've had no deaths for 3 days.
However, whilst my free ammonia looks OK (Seachem ammonia multi-test kit), my total ammonia and nitrate readings (API Master Test Kit) still aren't right and I was wondering if anyone can offer any guidance/reassurance?
Tank size: 64l
pH: 7.4
ammonia: 6.0ppm (Total) & ~0ppm (Free)
nitrite: 0ppm
nitrate: 10ppm
tank temp: 76
Feeding regime: Small pinch of flake food every 3rd day.
Fish Symptoms (include full description including lesion, color, location, fish behavior): Have lost 6 fish in the last 10 days. They all just started slowing down and then basically died. No other visible symptoms.
Volume and Frequency of water changes: Currently every 3-4 days 10-15%, before that it was 15% every 2-3 weeks.
Chemical Additives or Media in your tank: Interpet pump/filter with standard sponge and JBL Filtax Micromec balls.
Tank inhabitants: 2 zebra Danios, 1 Platty, 1 Molly, 2 Harlequins, 1 Cherry Barb, 3 Amano shrimp.
Tank decoration: 2 plastic plants and 4 living plants (various types...not sure of their names though).
Recent additions to your tank (living or decoration): None
Exposure to chemicals: Normally nothing except Interpet Flora Boost. Per above I have used ammo-lock to try and control spike but have done 2 10% water changes since then.
Source water: RO (no added minerals) from Maidenhead Aquatics.
