Water quality

[thebbqguy]

I have posted about my water quality a few times and received several suggestions that have helped.

I have been at zero ammonia now for several days finally. I think the key to achieving that is the suggestions of how to change the filters out by rinsing them out in some of the tank water. I've done that now twice with my HOB filter (monthly) and weekly with my Deep Blue Sponge filter and the water quality has improved.

I had plateaued at 1.0 ppm for more than a month, but it's finally turned the corner now.

Thanks for the help.

[thebbqguy]

Of course now I have a nitrogen spike. I added some Nitra Zorb to the filter. Water change had little effect so far.

[thebbqguy]

It's been 4 days since installing the Nitra Zorb and I can't tell any difference in the nitrogen levels. I changed out 21 gallons of water on day 2, but the nitrogen still measures 40 ppm + (probably closer to 80 actually). Regardless of the actual level it's a deep orange and almost red.

It's time for my monthly filter cleaning in the AQ 110 tomorrow. Hopefully that will have some effects to get the nitrogen down in the 20 ppm range.

[Ava333]

I'm new to keeping cichlids so forgive the questions if they seem silly. My background is 7 years with an understocked, planted, community tank; so I rarely had water problems. Now, I'm just trying to learn as I go. I might not be of any help but we can share info and try to help each other.

1. How long has the tank been up and going?
2. What size tank?
3. How many and what size is the stock?
4. Do you have any plants?
5. Sounds like you have a canister filter (and something I've never heard of), correct?
6. What type of media is in the canister?
7. What part of the nitrogen cycle is reading high, ammonia, nitrites, or nitrates?
8. Are you using anything as a Buffer (I know it's related to the nitrogen cycle)?

[thebbqguy]

It's been up 5 months and is 75 gallons.

There are no plants. Three 4 inch fish for stock.

It's a hang on back filter rated at 110 gallons.

The readings are for nitrates. Ammonia remains at zero.

[Marty]

Typically, nitrates are going to come from food or fish waste.  Try increasing your water changes.

[thebbqguy]

I am changing out 28 gallons every 5 days at this point regularly. I did the 21 extra gallons when the nitrates spiked. I will keep doing changes.I am very careful not to overfeed. Tsp water measures zero nitrates.

[thebbqguy]

Tap water that is

[Ava333]

I was having the same problem with my 125 tank around the 6 month mark. I test my water before and after a water change. Nitrates would be below 10 ppm, then spike to around 80 ppm after I was done! The gravel was about 3" deep and I was vacuuming into a 5 gallon bucket. I wasn't getting deep enough into the gravel even though it looked clean. My solution: a water hose attachment added to the vacuum hose (zip tie & aqurium sealant) and a thick walled water hose (so it won't kink or collapse). Now I can vacuum until my heart is content! 😃

Trying to get my gravel back as clean as it should be was still causing the NITRATES to spikes for the first 3 or 4 cleanings (as it was releasing some from the gravel into the water). I keep a bottle of PRIME that "Detoxifies Ammonia, Nitrites & NITRATES". Read carefully if your buying though, most of what they carry does nothing for Nitrates. I add the Prime, wait 20 to 30 minutes, then RETEST my water. I have found that most times, I had to add it twice to get the levels back down to 10 ppm or lower. After I got the gravel back clean, no more spikes so far. You might not be having the same problem but maybe this will help.

[Marty]

Here's my recommendation.  Vacuum half of your gravel well and replace water as needed.  Wait a week or so, and do the same with the other half.  Then stop feeding your fish for three days and then do a water change.  Unless you have decor that is releasing nitrates, it's going to be waste in your substrate, or waste from your fish.  If it pops back up after that, cut back on the amount you're feeding.

[Ava333]

How is your aquarium water doing now? Are things starting to stabilize yet?

[thebbqguy]

Yes. My tank has had zero ammonia, zero nitrates, and a PH in the 7.8 range for 2 weeks. The fish are doing very well. I think I now have a reliable blueprint that is working.

[Ava333]

Good to hear. Nothing beats a happy tank!