I need soooo much help!

[Tinajo]

I have had aquariums off and on since I was a kid. I've had my current tank for about 3 years, but have not taken care of it at all, mostly due to ignorance. I have begun weekly gravel vacuming and partial water changes (about 10%).

My stats as of today are:
Nitrates 10 ppm
Ammonia 0 ppm
Nitrites 0 ppm
Carbonate Hardness 179 ppm
General Hardnesss 179 ppm
pH 7.5 (Yesterday I added a product called Bullseye 7.5 due to consistent high pH levels.)

My fish are dying, I'm completely confused and frustrated, and desperately need advice before throwing in the towel. I had OTS, but at least my fish were living for long periods instead of lasting maybe 2 days.

What am I doing wrong?! :help:

 

[H3D]

Stop adding Bullseye 7.5! Start doing 25-50 pecent weekly water changes.

 

[CoreyMac]

Perhaps it is the lower PH that is getting them?

 

[boulderman1]

Stop adding Bullseye 7.5! Start doing 25-50 pecent weekly water changes.

i agree with H3D

good luck

 

[Tinajo]

Yes, I agree, the pH reducer was a bad idea, but I was desperate because the readings were consistently 8.0 or higher.

The fish have been dying, though, even before I used it.

I will up the water changes. Any more advice?!

 

[H3D]

Yeah can you tell us what kind of filter you are using and what is the temperature of the aquarium?

 

[Tinajo]

The temperature is 76 degrees, and I use a Penguin 330 bio wheel.

 

[H3D]

Filter sound fine...I would up the temperature to 78-80 degrees. Are you replacing the filter pads? If so how often?

 

[Tinajo]

I replace the filter pads once per month.

 

[DarkEntity]

Which pad are u replacing?

please tell me you arent replacing them all in one go, as doing that destroys the health bacteria colony in your filter.