underground filter vs. over the tank

[TKOS]

You won't suck up your panda cories unless they are sick. My fish swim under the gravel vacuum all the time with no problems.

How often do you do water changes? Right now you should be doing them daily or even more often. Keep that nitrite below 0.25 ppm. This high level is killing the fish. Or else mix up some tank water with common salt (NaCl) and it will help the fish survive high nitrite levels. Mix 1 tsp per gallon of water of NaCl and then slowly add it back into the tank over a few hours period to allow the fish to adjust. From that point add new salt to the level of the water being changed and I would suggest doing daily water changes. Table salt will do.

 

[Tenorplayer2008]

You won't suck up your panda cories unless they are sick. My fish swim under the gravel vacuum all the time with no problems.

How often do you do water changes? Right now you should be doing them daily or even more often. Keep that nitrite below 0.25 ppm. This high level is killing the fish. Or else mix up some tank water with common salt (NaCl) and it will help the fish survive high nitrite levels. Mix 1 tsp per gallon of water of NaCl and then slowly add it back into the tank over a few hours period to allow the fish to adjust. From that point add new salt to the level of the water being changed and I would suggest doing daily water changes. Table salt will do.

Make sure that the salt hasn't been treated with any anti-clumping agents, you never know what that will do to your fish...might be good to have it non-iodized too...

 

[daveedka]

Table salt is fine, iodized or not, the levels of anti caking agents, and iodide are too low to matter in normal treatment levels.
dave

 

[Harlock]

Make sure that the salt hasn't been treated with any anti-clumping agents, you never know what that will do to your fish...might be good to have it non-iodized too...

I use Morton's Kosher salt with anti caking agents listed right on the ingredients for my aquarium and have never seen any problems, even with high dosing over periods of 2 weeks.

 

[Tenorplayer2008]

I use Morton's Kosher salt with anti caking agents listed right on the ingredients for my aquarium and have never seen any problems, even with high dosing over periods of 2 weeks.

I've been told not to use them before, just passing the information I was told...better safe then sorry I think...

 

[Kasakato]

As someone else here said: "Aquarium salt is a fancy word for taking money out of your pocket". I use the salt Havlock said above and also had no problems. The chemicals in the salt are just way to low to have any ill effects on your fish. If they were overloaded with chemicals them Im glade to be alive.

 

[Harlock]

I've been told not to use them before, just passing the information I was told...better safe then sorry I think...

Well, what I am saying is there is no sorry involved.