What next???

[AngelMax]

Hi

I have had my planted 128L tank running just under 4 weeks now with 6 platies & 5 fry. I removed my bogwood as it was leaching too much... currently soaking daily in hot water to remove the tanning.

My water tests @
PH 8
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 80 (10% water changed being done evry other day to reduce)

Is this ok?

I would now like to get a couple more fish, but unsure if this is the right timing as the Nitrate is still a little high and we have 2 week old fry.

If you think we could add, pls advise what would be good.
Eventually I would like a couple of sharks, angels and loaches (oh and then a SFF)

Your advise would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

Your nitrates are very high, but somtimes they can come out high in the tap water itself so i'd check that out just to see if thats not the case. With nitrates like that i would stay away from the more fragile types of fish as they probably won't do well in it. I think adding live plants can help lower the nitrates or somthing.

 

[AngelMax]

The nitrates have stayed at that for a few days... i was told by my LFS that it may be due to overfeeding, so I am only feeding them once a day and only a little. It's difficult coz of the fry in their lil net, they need regular feeding.

 

[Ferris]

Just a quick bit of advice on the fish you mentioned you would like to add, specifically the sharks and loaches.

Don't get bala (silver) sharks as they grow way to big for your tank. If you want a red tailed black shark, only get 1 as they are very agressive towards their own species.

With the loaches, the same goes for clown loaches, they get far too big for your tank so look at other species and check their potential size before buying.

Also SFF's do not generally do well in community tanks, they are much better in small tanks on their own as a lot of fish will nip at their long fins.

I know that all sounds a bit negative but you are better knowing now that buying the fish and having to return them.

Hope that helps

 

[Katchan]

with the PH at that level I'd leave the bogwood in there the tanins will lower to a better range, as not much other than african cichlids prefer 8 (tolerate yes prefer no), activated charcoal in your filter should help remove the discoloring

Katchan

 

[AngelMax]

Cheers Ferris... good advise.
I will explore all possibilities.

 

[AngelMax]

with the PH at that level I'd leave the bogwood in there the tanins will lower to a better range, as not much other than african cichlids prefer 8 (tolerate yes prefer no), activated charcoal in your filter should help remove the discoloring

Katchan

The PH was the same when it was in the tank....no change.
i also have some stone in there...not 100% sure what it is, would this makes a diff?

How else can I lower the PH?

 

[Ferris]

Certain rocks will raise ph. They tend to be "softer" rocks like limestone, tuffa rock etc. Your ph is high but i wouldn't reccommend trying to lower it with chemicals/additives as it is a nightmare to keep it stable once you start down this road. The bog wood should make a difference but it will take sometime.

 

[AngelMax]

Cool, I'll put the bogwood back in as soon as. Only problem is my water is now crystal clear, the bogwood is gonna make it crappy again.
I have been soaking it, changinmg water daily for nearly 2 weeks !!!!!

 

[Ferris]

Have you tested your tap water for ph? I can't believe the ph is 8 in Milton Keynes so maybe the rocks you have are causing this high level. See what your tap water tests as and maybe remove the rocks.

 

[AngelMax]

Ok, will test the water tonight.... see if there is a huge difference.
Mind u, the LFS did say that it wasn't too high for this area.

Cheers mate... your'e a star!