Bad water test results . . .

[RiVerfishgirl]

So to answer some of those many questions, I have a 40 gallon breeder. Stocked with 1 green sev, 2 German blue rams, 1 Plecostomus, and 3 pygmy Cories.

I have a Marineland Penguin BIO-Wheel filter. Model 200, for up to 50 gallons. Maybe I should get the next one up then??

How big are your fish and how much do you feed and siphon the gravel?

The problem I'm running in to, and have been since I started this hobby is that everyone has their "own opinion." And having so many opinions that are different isn't really making it better.

As far as biological filtration no one that has actually researched it disagrees that the more media you have the better and the more well oxygenated the media the better. Though there are several different filtration/media types, a biowheel is a good biological media due to the fact that it provides plenty of oxygenation and can provide sufficient surface area, but the one small biowheel you have may not have enough surface area to grow sufficient bacterial colonies for your bioload.
Researching biological bacteria and how they function and thrive is by far the most important information you can learn in maintaining a healthy aquarium. You basically have a small sewage treatment plant on your tank (your filter) and if it's not functioning properly then your fish are living in their own toxic waste.

 

[Corax]

I know what they should be. I do water changes frequently. And yes it was.

No you don't.. You said you knew that nitrate should be zero. Listen to good advice when it's offered.

 

[tayhudson]

No you don't.. You said you knew that nitrate should be zero. Listen to good advice when it's offered.

Excuse me? I don't what? I have common sense? I'm not the only person who has ever kept fish who has ever had these issues. So there is absolutely no reason for you to be rude like that. I am taking the advice and using it.

 

[tayhudson]

How big are your fish and how much do you feed and siphon the gravel?

As far as biological filtration no one that has actually researched it disagrees that the more media you have the better and the more well oxygenated the media the better. Though there are several different filtration/media types, a biowheel is a good biological media due to the fact that it provides plenty of oxygenation and can provide sufficient surface area, but the one small biowheel you have may not have enough surface area to grow sufficient bacterial colonies for your bioload.
Researching biological bacteria and how they function and thrive is by far the most important information you can learn in maintaining a healthy aquarium. You basically have a small sewage treatment plant on your tank (your filter) and if it's not functioning properly then your fish are living in their own toxic waste.

The sev is about 4", the crories aren't even an inch, the male ram is probably 1 1/2" and the female is probably 1", and the pleco is about 3".

I guess I will get a new filter than and find somewhere for my fish in the mean time, since my tank isn't fully cycled according to everyone on here. Not you fishgirl.

 

[tayhudson]

How big are your fish and how much do you feed and siphon the gravel?

As far as biological filtration no one that has actually researched it disagrees that the more media you have the better and the more well oxygenated the media the better. Though there are several different filtration/media types, a biowheel is a good biological media due to the fact that it provides plenty of oxygenation and can provide sufficient surface area, but the one small biowheel you have may not have enough surface area to grow sufficient bacterial colonies for your bioload.
Researching biological bacteria and how they function and thrive is by far the most important information you can learn in maintaining a healthy aquarium. You basically have a small sewage treatment plant on your tank (your filter) and if it's not functioning properly then your fish are living in their own toxic waste.

I feed twice a day, only what they eat. I siphon the gravel 2 times a week. I'm using the info I've been given from so many different people.

 

[Corax]

Excuse me? I don't what? I have common sense? I'm not the only person who has ever kept fish who has ever had these issues. So there is absolutely no reason for you to be rude like that. I am taking the advice and using it.

I wasn't being rude. You posted a statement and I contradicted it by explaning that you've already shown that you do NOT know what your test results should show. You thought nitrate should be zero, when in fact it is more typically 10-40ppm. Looks like coach_z caught the same thing I did..

 

[tayhudson]

I wasn't being rude. You posted a statement and I contradicted it by explaning that you've already shown that you do NOT know what your test results should show. You thought nitrate should be zero, when in fact it is more typically 10-40ppm. Looks like coach_z caught the same thing I did..

Like I said, it's not easy when every person you ask advice from has their own way of doing things. And I am taking the advice as best I can without killing my fish and letting my tank go bad. So I'm doing what I'm told by 20 different people.

 

[tayhudson]

I've been told so many different things about what the tests should read. So that's what I'm going to think initially.

 

[Corax]

The sev is about 4", the crories aren't even an inch, the male ram is probably 1 1/2" and the female is probably 1", and the pleco is about 3".

I guess I will get a new filter than and find somewhere for my fish in the mean time, since my tank isn't fully cycled according to everyone on here. Not you fishgirl.

You added the severum recently, right? I'd say that's where your spike came from. Your bacteria colony will only grow to a certain bioload, let's call it X. When you go over, by adding more fish, you'll exceed X by a a certain amount. Say a guppy adds an extra 1ppm to X.. You'll have x+1.. A severum is a bigger, thicker fish that eats more and poops more.. So, you'd have something more like x+4.. Totally ficticious numbers here, just making a point.. Your bigger fish has exceeded what your tank can handle and now it's got to play catch up.

 

[tayhudson]

You added the severum recently, right? I'd say that's where your spike came from. Your bacteria colony will only grow to a certain bioload, let's call it X. When you go over, by adding more fish, you'll exceed X by a a certain amount. Say a guppy adds an extra 1ppm to X.. You'll have x+1.. A severum is a bigger, thicker fish that eats more and poops more.. So, you'd have something more like x+4.. Totally ficticious numbers here, just making a point.. Your bigger fish has exceeded what your tank can handle and now it's got to play catch up.

So would a bigger filter help at all?? I get that whole concept. Thank you for explaining it. I've heard to get that Prime stuff, should I do that? I use stress coat with water changes.