It's happening all over again with another panda cory.

[12 Volt Man]

true, but even if it is overstocked the water quality levels have not been affected..which is the main problem with overstocking.

it is true however, that diseases can spread more quickly in a crowded tank...

 

[H3D]

true, but even if it is overstocked the water quality levels have not been affected..which is the main problem with overstocking.

it is true however, that diseases can spread more quickly in a crowded tank...

IMO showing nitrite in a test is a a water quality problem...one that will soon get worse.

 

[musho3210]

yeah i think you got nitrite and nitrate mixed up, i dont know any test kit that can show a .5 nitrate level, ive seen them that go as low as 5 nitrate but never .5....

 

[12 Volt Man]

IMO showing nitrite in a test is a a water quality problem...one that will soon get worse.

agreed. but the nitrite level was reported as 0.0ppm. If that is an error, thats different.

but going by the info we were given, the water quality is fine.

 

[H3D]

agreed. but the nitrite level was reported as 0.0ppm. If that is an error, thats different.

but going by the info we were given, the water quality is fine.

Indead. Maybe saphphx can clarify for us.

Saphphx your nitrate reading seems incorrect. Aquarium test kits do not usually measure a nitrate reading that low. Can you please repost your NH3, NO2 and NO3 test results?

 

[saphphx]

Your tank is way overstocked! Did no one else notice that there are 6 clown loaches and 7 cory cats in an aquarium that has a 24"x12" footprint? There is no way for this many fish to co habitat in an aquarium of this size. You best bet is to find an new home for the clown loaches, which usually exceed a foot in length when full grown.

Sorry, it is not over stocked. The pandas are less than an inch, the clowns are just less than an inch, and the male endlers are all around an inch, so I am at about... 19 inches of fish or so, and the clown loaches are for my 78x24x24 inch tank and going no where, thanks.

Ahhh ... no I missed that ....

Yes, this could easily be a leading contributor to this ailment :duh:

God I need more :coffee:

You didn't miss anything, we wen't over this before

true, but even if it is overstocked the water quality levels have not been affected..which is the main problem with overstocking.

it is true however, that diseases can spread more quickly in a crowded tank...

I moved all the pandas to a three foot tank, and the loaches to a 4 foot, though looks like they will have to be moved back out as they aren't getting any food due to the big loaches which is why they weren't in there to start with.

IMO showing nitrite in a test is a a water quality problem...one that will soon get worse.

No nitrites since I cycled it last year.

yeah i think you got nitrite and nitrate mixed up, i dont know any test kit that can show a .5 nitrate level, ive seen them that go as low as 5 nitrate but never .5....

I have one that goes from 0 to 5 and so on, and one from the fish shop that does everything between 0 and 5. Theirs always reads mine at 0.2ppm but I think its closer to .5 or 1 as thats what my test is. Looking for the box for the name of the thing

agreed. but the nitrite level was reported as 0.0ppm. If that is an error, thats different.

but going by the info we were given, the water quality is fine.

0.5ppm

Indead. Maybe saphphx can clarify for us.

Saphphx your nitrate reading seems incorrect. Aquarium test kits do not usually measure a nitrate reading that low. Can you please repost your NH3, NO2 and NO3 test results?

they are as posted, sorry mate. The test is some new one the fish shop just got, I am looking for the box, but if I can't find it will phone them tomorrow. Its by one of the co.s that make food, that much I know lol!

Anyway, everyone seems a bit happier in a panda/endler only tank (well there are 2 hillies and a massive apple snail too, but still better) and bopping about in a panda like fashion.

Its a 3x1x1 foot, sand substrate, Fluval 4+ with a river side and a calm side, thought the hillies hang in the calm side while the pandas play in the current, go figure lol

 

[H3D]

Sorry, it is not over stocked. The pandas are less than an inch, the clowns are just less than an inch, and the male endlers are all around an inch, so I am at about... 19 inches of fish or so, and the clown loaches are for my 78x24x24 inch tank and going no where, thanks...You didn't miss anything, we wen't over this before ...I moved all the pandas to a three foot tank, and the loaches to a 4 foot, though looks like they will have to be moved back out as they aren't getting any food due to the big loaches which is why they weren't in there to start with...No nitrites since I cycled it last year...I have one that goes from 0 to 5 and so on, and one from the fish shop that does everything between 0 and 5. Theirs always reads mine at 0.2ppm but I think its closer to .5 or 1 as thats what my test is. Looking for the box for the name of the thing...0.5ppm...they are as posted, sorry mate. The test is some new one the fish shop just got, I am looking for the box, but if I can't find it will phone them tomorrow. Its by one of the co.s that make food, that much I know lol!...Anyway, everyone seems a bit happier in a panda/endler only tank (well there are 2 hillies and a massive apple snail too, but still better) and bopping about in a panda like fashion...Its a 3x1x1 foot, sand substrate, Fluval 4+ with a river side and a calm side, thought the hillies hang in the calm side while the pandas play in the current, go figure lol

Sorry if I seemed harsh. It sounds like you are getting everything under control, but your nitrate test kit sounds unusable. IMO you should just return it. A nitrate test kit should test between 0 and 200 ppm. IMO it is imperative not to judge loaches by there size when stocking them. Even at one inch they produce a huge amount of waste, especially when they are fed properly. Understanding your situation better it may be wise to move your small loaches into a smaller tank until they put on more size. At about three inches they should be OK to be in with the bigger loaches. They should not take longer than 6 months to reach this size. Make sure you are giving them enough to eat. Clown loaches do well when they receive 4 or 5 small meals a day. Good luck! Keep us updated.

 

[saphphx]

Sorry if I seemed harsh.

No worries

It sounds like you are getting everything under control, but your nitrate test kit sounds unusable. IMO you should just return it. A nitrate test kit should test between 0 and 200 ppm.

I don't see why I should return it, if it tests between 0 and 5, I use the one that goes 0 to 10 and in 0.0 detail. What could be wrong with exact readings?

IMO it is imperative not to judge loaches by there size when stocking them. Even at one inch they produce a huge amount of waste, especially when they are fed properly. Understanding your situation better it may be wise to move your small loaches into a smaller tank until they put on more size. At about three inches they should be OK to be in with the bigger loaches. They should not take longer than 6 months to reach this size. Make sure you are giving them enough to eat. Clown loaches do well when they receive 4 or 5 small meals a day. Good luck! Keep us updated.

Yeah, we have lots of loaches They are still a bit small and I fear not doing erll with the bigger loaches as they all seem sluggish today, so may move them into their own tank, I think I have a 2.5 foot tank spare somewhere. They seem happy following the bigger loaches around though, so I don't know what to do lol

 

[ct-death]

NitrAtes are usually tested over 5.0ppm b/c anything under 20.0ppm is generally fine, and even up to 40.0ppm is okay for most of the hardier fish.

NitrItes are usually tested between 0.0 and 10.0ppm again b/c levels over 1.0ppm is extermely toxic (in fact any measured amounts causes perminent effects). The same for Ammonia.

I think that's where the confusion is coming from. There would simply be no need to measure Ates under 1.0 or even 5.0, certainly no need for anything measuring in the hundreths... Unless you have a testing kit meant for another application other than aquatic tanks (maybe inverts this is needed for?????)

 

[H3D]

NitrAtes are usually tested over 5.0ppm b/c anything under 20.0ppm is generally fine, and even up to 40.0ppm is okay for most of the hardier fish.

NitrItes are usually tested between 0.0 and 10.0ppm again b/c levels over 1.0ppm is extermely toxic (in fact any measured amounts causes perminent effects). The same for Ammonia.

I think that's where the confusion is coming from. There would simply be no need to measure Ates under 1.0 or even 5.0, certainly no need for anything measuring in the hundreths... Unless you have a testing kit meant for another application other than aquatic tanks (maybe inverts this is needed for?????)

Exactly.