What Can I Do? I'm Confused!

[vcmtik]

Please help.

My tank finally cycled two weeks ago. This week my ph is dropping from a constant 7.2 to 6.8 in about 24 - 36 hours. My ammonia, nitrite and nitrate is also rising.

I haven't introduced any more fish to my tank, but I did put in two pieces of bogwood. I purchased it via ebay, and I was assured that it was pre-soaked. I soaked the bogwood anyway for around 5 days. It seems that the wood is still leaching colour. Would this affect my readings? I have checked for dead fish and rooting plants, but there aren't any.

The fish seem to be happy enough, but I have been doing water changes and using seachem prime, to try and stabilise things.

Is it the bogwood? I'm so confused. Please advise!!!!

 

[WILDER]

How many gallons or litres is the tank.
How many fish and which type.

Can you post your water stats please.

Bogwood lowers ph.

 

[vcmtik]

It's a 30 gallon tank. I have a fluval U2 and U3 running. My fish are all quite small (under 6 months old) they are;

5 x tiger barbs
2 x molly
6 x chequered barb
1 x senegal bichir (3" long)
3 x silver sharks (3" long) - we understand that they grow too big for our tank, but our lfs has offered to take them in when they get too big.
2 x bolivian ram
1 x panther crab
6 x small golden apple snail (1/2")

i done a 50% w/c last night. I have just taken my readings again -

Ammonia - Less than 0.25, but more than 0
Nitrite - 0.25
Nitrate - 10
Ph - 6.8

I use the Api liquid test kits for these results.

I hope this helps

 

[WILDER]

I'm going to be honest and suggest taking the sharks back to the lfs.

Research the fish before you buy.

Immediate water change and increase aeration.
Bogwood lowers ph. Thats why your ph has gone down.