Newbie -- Needs Your Assistance

vootsy

vootsy

vootsy
Dec 30, 2006
48
0
0
72
Toledo, OH
Hello Everyone

I am a newbie with a 29g with a ugf with 2 aquaclear powerheads and an aquaclear 50 hang on filter. I have 2 danios, 2 mickey mouse platies and 2 angel fish. I also have a 55g with a ugf with 2 aquaclear 50 powerheads and an aquaclear 110 hang on filter, I have 2 balas, 2 irr., 1 blue gourami, 1 boseami rainbow fish, 2 red rainbow fish, 1 sharktale, and 1 clown loach.
Naturally I am having ph and cycling issues. I have lost many fish in the process. I am presently using ammo lock and cycle.
Does anybody any experience with ammonia detoxifiers and the nitrogen cycle.
 
I don't know about ammo lock, but cycle didn't do anything for me. If your ammonia and nitrite readings are above .25, then you need to be doing water changes until they are below .25 The people who can help you the most here will want the following:

Ammonia
Nitrite
Nitrate
Ph
How long your tank has been set up
How often and how big of water changes are you doing
 
Get us some readings on both your tanks as livingword suggested. That will help a lot.

Not a big fan of ammo lock and cycle is worthless. When in doubt...water change, water change, water change.

Give us some more details on chemistry...bio spira may be what gets you out of this quickly.

Then when things calm down we can help you with your stocking issues. :cool:
 
Water Chemistry

Here are my water chemistries. Sorry folks, but I am brand new to the forums.

55 Gallon:
Ammonia 4.0
nitrides 0.3
nitrates 20 ppm
PH 6.0

29 GALLON:
Ammonia 4.0
nitrides 0.8
nitrates 10 ppm
PH 7.0

Started 55 & 29 gallon tanks November 22, 2006.
My 2 powerheads in the 55 gallon tank have reverse mode.

I just did a 25% water change yesterday on 55 & 29 gallon tanks. I try to do water changes at least twice a week.
Thanks,
 
Are you using test strips or a good liquid test kit? Test strips are unreliable.

What kind of water conditioner are you using? Prime?

Right now forget the pH issues. Do two water changes a day at 60-70% to get ammonia and nitrites to less than .25 ppm on both of those tanks.

Do the same tests on your tap water after it has set out for 24 hrs in a shallow dish. Post results here please.
 
Thanks Rbishop

I am using Tetra Master Kit with other APM tests for nitrate and ammonia. I am using NovAqua plus with Amquel plus available.
I wonder about so many water changes with the internet research,I've done. So basically you want me to completely change water in both tanks.
I will do two water changes on both tanks according to your instructions and will report the results. Thanks for your info. I have not been able to find Bio
Spira. Any suggestions? I live in Toledo Ohio and have many resources.
Thanks again

vootsy
 
Last edited:
dont change all of the water at once. 50-70% to get ammoina down is enough.

test every day and change half of the water if your ammoina and/or nitrite readings are above 0.5.

your 29 gallon shouldnt have nitrate problems once it is fully cycled if you carry out weekly water changes and clean unger the undergravel filter everyone in a while.

your 55 gallon will have nitrate problems in the future because some of the fish you chose get pretty big. balas get to be 14" each, and irridecent sharks get to be at least 3 feet long with the smallest sprecies and 9 feet with the biggest, and clown loaches also get to be 12 inches long and like the company of their own kind. you mgith want return all five of them now to prevent future headaches with nitrate problems and needing bigger tanks or finding homes for the fish, especially the irridescent sharks.
 
We can do this without bio-spira. It will just take lots of monitoring and frequent water changes. Do 2 changes a day, until ammonia and nitrites are less than .25 ppm.

When ever you see them hit that, do a water change. Slowly the time between changes will gradually increase.

Cut back your feedings to no more than one a day. Vac as much as you can on water changes. Keep your incoming water matched temp wise.

And don't forget a set of readings on your tap water.
 
Water Changes

I have done 2 heavy duty water changes, and here my results.

Ammonia 1.0
Nitrides < .3

My guess would be another water change?

I will not do anything until I hear from the " experts".
Thank you so much for your help.

Jim
 
I too would suggest testing your tap water then you know where abouts you are with your nitrAtes...
Good Luck...
 
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