|
Post by missdiane on Feb 5, 2014 13:01:05 GMT -5
MORNING - I'M WONDERING IF I SHOULD DO A 50% WATER CHANGE AGAIN? ? I DID 50% A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO BEFORE I TREATED WITH THE ANTIBIOTICS. DURING TREATMENT I WAS DOING 25% EVERY OTHER DAY & 25% AT THE END OF TREATMENT. nO FISH HAVE DIED. PAAMETERS HAVE REMAINED CONSISTENT EXCEPT FOR NITRATES WHICH RISE FROM AROUND 10-15 AFTER WATER CHANGE UP TO 100 WITHIN FOUR DAYS. I REALLY DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO TO FIX THIS P;ROBLEM!
|
|
|
Post by devonjohnsgard on Feb 5, 2014 14:56:04 GMT -5
MORNING - I'M WONDERING IF I SHOULD DO A 50% WATER CHANGE AGAIN? ? I DID 50% A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO BEFORE I TREATED WITH THE ANTIBIOTICS. DURING TREATMENT I WAS DOING 25% EVERY OTHER DAY & 25% AT THE END OF TREATMENT. nO FISH HAVE DIED. PAAMETERS HAVE REMAINED CONSISTENT EXCEPT FOR NITRATES WHICH RISE FROM AROUND 10-15 AFTER WATER CHANGE UP TO 100 WITHIN FOUR DAYS. I REALLY DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO TO FIX THIS P;ROBLEM! Good Morning! So, it looks like the nitrates are the only real issue right now. I talked to Carl and he and I both don't think you have a too high bio load. It could be the food, but all seems pretty normal. I think it comes down to the smaller closed system. I think what would really help is adding Purigen or Matrix to the tank. The best bet is Purigen right in the filter. They come in a little bag and you place in the filter. This or the Matrix out of the filter in low flowing area of the tank. In a smaller tank, you can take a bottle and put the matrix in it. Punch holes in the bottle. These both will help continue the nitrogen cycle nicely. You could use the 50 RO water, but this will not stop the rising of the Nitrates, It will just cut it and then they will raise again. You could do it for a temporary relieve and then come back to RO after trying these these two recommendations. Have you tried these yet?
|
|
|
Post by missdiane on Feb 5, 2014 15:07:14 GMT -5
NO I HAVEN'T TRIED IT - THIS IS THE 20 GALLON WHICH ISN'T THAT SMALL. I USE 50% RO BECAUSE THE TAP WATER IS AROUND 8.2 PH ALONE. I CAN ORDER THE PURIGEN THIS WEEK - SHOULD I CONTINUE WITH SO MANY WATER CHANGES? I DO NOT THINK THAT 3 CORY CATFISH AND 2 4 INCH WEATHER LOACHES IS A HIGH BIO LOAD FOR A 20 GALLON TANK. IN SOME WAYS I FEEL I'M FOOLING WITH THIS WATER TOO MUCH!
|
|
|
Post by Carl on Feb 5, 2014 16:45:09 GMT -5
MissDiane; A 20 gallon is a small aquarium as per what is needed to help with your Nitrates. Removal of nitrates involves areas of substrate or media that are very low in oxygen I would suggest the Purigen behind the filter cartridge as Devon suggested as well as Matrix in a large medicine bottle or similar with holes punched in the top and then placed near your filter intake or outlet. You can get the small 100 mL Purigen that is bagged or the larger 250mL and purchase your own bag (such as the Lees) and refill Also make sure there is not mulm or other decomposition in your substrate as rapidly increasing nitrates with a low bio load are often a symptom of this. Product Resources: www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Seachem.html#matrixwww.americanaquariumproducts.com/Seachem.html#purigenPlease Reference this article for more about Nitrate control (even if read before): www.aquarium-pond-answers.com/2007/07/aquarium-nitrates.htmlAs for frequency, I think the only aspect that concerns me is whether or not you are replacing the mineral Cations since you are using 50% RO water. but I doubt this is a problem since you use a Wonder Shell and your tap water is probably very mineral rich considering your location Carl
|
|