Water Levels Continued

[omordn]

Hi Everyone,

I have been having some problems with my water levels and because of it I have lost two Angel Fish (or so I think that's the reason). I admit, I started my tank too early by adding in fish and not really letting my tank cycle the way it should have. My tank is 3 weeks old.

Tank:

28 Gallon
3 Platies
1 Dwarf Gourami
3 Red Eye Tetras
2 Albino Plecos
Temp - 80-82
2 Live Plants (not sure of their names)
2 Lava Rocks

I have been doing some 20% water changes today; about 5-6 times already and I haven't really seen any difference in my water levels.

Before:

pH 7.6
Ammonia .50
Nitrite 1.0
Nitrate 10

After:
pH between 7.4 - 7.5 (tap water pH)
Ammonia .25
Nitrite 1.0
Nitrate about 5.0 - 10.0

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[SJ2K]

Im afraid theres not alot that can be done apart from returning fish and doing further water changes try only feeding every other day aswell.

What plecs do you have? some will grow far too large for a 28g.

 

[omordn]

Hello there,

I have the Plecostemus Albinos. I read that these do not grow too big.. I believe it was 4 inches. I'll try the feeding every other day and see if that helps since I think I've done more than enough water changes for the day. Hopefully it works. I don't want to lose any more fish.

Thank You.

 

[SJ2K]

Most species of Plec will have an albino form its just which one that can make all the difference

Good luck

 

[backtotropical]

Hi,

Keep up the water changes. Your nitrate probably wont move because the levels you have could quite easily come out of the tap.

Ammonia and nitrite seem ok for now. Your water changes may not be reducing them, but they are stopping the levels rising. That is very important.

You are effectively cycling with fish now. It can be a long process, i'm afraid. Water change, water change, water change.....

Keep ammonia and nitrite below 0.25 with as many water changes as it takes to do that. You will eventually see no ammonia and no nitrite and it will stay like that. That is when you are cycled. DO NOT ADD ANY MORE FISH UNTIL THAT HAPPENS!

Alternatively, as SJ2K says, if you can get someone with an established tank to look after the fish, or take them back to the shop, you could do a fishless cycle. Much easier on you and the fish. You can read about fishless cycling by clicking the link in my signature below.

Keep asking questions and good luck.

Backtotropical

 

[omordn]

Thank you that have replied.

Water change... water change... water change. Got it. And don't worry... I don't plan on adding any more fish. I hate to say it... but my LFS cannot take my fish... nor do I know of anyone who has an aquarium that can take care of my fish. I guess cycling with fish is the way to go for me. As far as fishless cycling... I do understand the process.. I researched it once I understood where I went wrong (adding fish too fast).

I have one final question, I am going to test my tap water for ammonia and nitrite, if they all read zero or for some reason higher than zero... do any of you recommend me to buy an RO? I was looking into buying an RO/DI at one point because I was going to start a salt water aquarium instead.. but I realized that it was too expensive and I cannot install it in the current home I am living in. I found an RO that attaches to your faucet or whatever. I saw it on petsmart and I was wondering if any of you might be able to tell me if I should invest in it or not?

Thanks.

 

[SJ2K]

For FW most would say no unless 110% necisary, people that do tend to find themself's going to more hassle because they need to add elements back to the water to make it suitable for FW.

 

[omordn]

Ah, thank you once again. I'll keep everyone updated about my water levels just in case anything goes wrong for whatever reason (I hope not!).