Query

[JohnRossDele]

hi all, sometimes my fish rest on the bottom of the tank for ages sometimes even the active ones, are they sick or just resting?

 

[shelaghfishface]

could be either couldnt it, whats your tests saying?

 

[JohnRossDele]

could be either couldnt it, whats your tests saying?

most are fine the PH is 7.2-7.3 any ideas shelagh?

 

[minxfishy]

Do you know your readings for ammonia and nitrIte specifically.

How often do you do water changes, how much each time and what is the tank temperature.

 

[JohnRossDele]

Do you know your readings for ammonia and nitrIte specifically.

How often do you do water changes, how much each time and what is the tank temperature.

ok if u must know, i change the water each 2-3 weeks, temp:26*C ammonia 4, nitrite:5-7 nitrate 12 ppm

im always scappin the algae of the sides with my clenny magnet

 

[minxfishy]

Well thats your answer then, your ammonia, nitrIte should all be 0, your poisoning your fish and causing them untold stress, but I guess you know that, you need to do water changes to get those readings down asap.

Normal maintenace (once things are all where they should be) should be a minimum of once a week, 30-40% especially with your stocking.

 

[indigoj]

Do you know your readings for ammonia and nitrIte specifically.

How often do you do water changes, how much each time and what is the tank temperature.

ok if u must know, i change the water each 2-3 weeks, temp:26*C ammonia 4, nitrite:5-7 nitrate 12 ppm

im always scappin the algae of the sides with my clenny magnet

Ok, you need URGENTLY to do 50% water change NOW and another in the morning, then at least 50% twice daily to get those levels down. If you can find someone with a mature tank to send you some mature media/filter squeezings then that would help a lot.

Ammonia needs to be ZERO as does nitrIte and once you have got them there they need to stay there - if they are above 0 you need to water change, and if they stay 0 you need to water change 25-30% weekly. Don't worry about Ph, NitrAte or algae, it's your water that needs the attention.

I'd say take all the fish to the LFS and finish your cycle fishless....

 

[JohnRossDele]

Do you know your readings for ammonia and nitrIte specifically.

How often do you do water changes, how much each time and what is the tank temperature.

ok if u must know, i change the water each 2-3 weeks, temp:26*C ammonia 4, nitrite:5-7 nitrate 12 ppm

im always scappin the algae of the sides with my clenny magnet

Ok, you need URGENTLY to do 50% water change NOW and another in the morning, then at least 50% twice daily to get those levels down. If you can find someone with a mature tank to send you some mature media/filter squeezings then that would help a lot.

Ammonia needs to be ZERO as does nitrIte and once you have got them there they need to stay there - if they are above 0 you need to water change, and if they stay 0 you need to water change 25-30% weekly. Don't worry about Ph, NitrAte or algae, it's your water that needs the attention.

I'd say take all the fish to the LFS and finish your cycle fishless....

ok then im off to do a water change just first i need to take my dog 4 a walk!

ill be doing every weekend water changes and be kepping an eye on the water chemistry

 

[Platygirl11]

No, there is a SERIOUS PROBLEM HERE. You should start doing weekly changes, but even without them your ammonia and nitrites shouldn't be that high. Did you cycle properly? Describe your cycling process.

In the meantime, do a 50% water change. Whenever you see ANY ammonia or nitrite do a 50% water change. Test for them at least 3 times every day, any try to get some mature media from your lfs.

 

[indigoj]

ok then im off to do a water change just first i need to take my dog 4 a walk!

ill be doing every weekend water changes and be kepping an eye on the water chemistry

Every weekend is a good idea - AFTER the next 2-4 weeks of at least TWICE daily 50% water changes as that is what it is likely to take to get through this. Do tests for Ammonia and NitrIte morning and evening BEFORE the 50% changes.


It sounds like your tank is either 1) Never been fully cycled, 2) Something has caused your filter bacteria to die off (have you ever forgotten de-chlorinator ?) or 3) Is going through a bad 'mini' cycle due to stock levels and water change regime being unsuitable.

Please do describe how you cycled the tank and how long it took - this may help us help you and your fish. I still think you may need to consider rehoming your fish and cycling without fish. Then planning suitable stock.

 

[MrWhite]

Fish that stay at the bottom off the tank like you said could simply be resting but after reading through your posts and looking at what your water stats are they must be stressed/sick due to poor water quality do you actually take advice on board m8 ?

 

[silverrabbit]

Dear *** are you for real??? Your dog can wait a half hour whilst you do an URGENT water change - those are RIDICULOUS levels, and you seem to think it's funny.

 

[bagu]

Dear *** are you for real??? Your dog can wait a half hour whilst you do an URGENT water change - those are RIDICULOUS levels, and you seem to think it's funny.

+1

why have a tank and ask for advice when you don't take it seriously?

 

[JohnRossDele]

i checked my tests again i actually put in 5 indicator drops instead of 3 by mistake and heres what the results were when i checked them again ammonia 1, nitrite:2-3 nitrate 7 ppm

 

[indigoj]

same advice - any ammonia and nitrite is bad - very bad for your fish!