NEED HELP

goalieman59

Gone Crazy, back soon
Jul 23, 2008
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OFallon IL
My tank is going nuts as far as parameters go PH is about 7.2, ammonia just tested at .50, the NO2 is at .25, and NO3 is at 10. This all started this weekend while as was gone. The tank has been set up for over 1 year, with no new additions. It is planted, with two canister filters running on it. I did find some left over food in the tank when I got home late last night from the feeding on friday, could this be the cause. What do I do besides water changes to help with the issues. Thanks
 
Do you use prime?

I think on the bottle it has instructions for emergency use when ammonia, nitrites and nitrates are out of whack... I think up to 5 times dosage is allowed whilst you balance the cycle out again.
 
Have you done a head count? Anything dead in the tank could cause it whether it be fish, snail, or plants.

Get some prime to use until you have it back under control.

:iagree:

If you are running two canidter filters, it might be pretty big planted tank.
If you cleaned up both filters completely before trip, it could be mini cycle.
Otherwise there might be at least one dead fish. While doing 50% WC, search for the dead fish.
 
:iagree:

If you are running two canidter filters, it might be pretty big planted tank.
If you cleaned up both filters completely before trip, it could be mini cycle.
Otherwise there might be at least one dead fish. While doing 50% WC, search for the dead fish.
I did clean both of the filters before the trip but it was like 3 day before we left, all fish are present and I have way to many MTS to count. any other thoughts.
 
You didn't use one of those weekend feeders did ya?
 
You didn't use one of those weekend feeders did ya?

No weekend feeders, I have just put an air pump on the tank to see if I can help things out a little, I have also done two water changes about 50% both time should I do any more?
 
Check your ammonia and nitrite levels, that will determine whether or not you need to do another one now. At .50 ammonia and nitrite .25 your first 50% water change should have brought it down to .25 and .13. Second 50% water change should have brought it down to .13 and .7 or somewhere close to that. I think you created a minicycle in your tank by cleaning both filters at once. You should definitely alternate maintenance on them to avoid this. You're going to have to check your ammonia and nitrite levels every day for a while till the filter is seeded again properly and catches up with the fish load.
 
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