Can't get nitrates under control - need drastic action

[Allistah]

Thanks for all the info guys. Yeah, the filter, all the rocks, and the gravel will be staying. I just need to wash out all the gunk from the gravel so that when something moves it doesn't cloud up the tank again andstir up more nitrates from gravel. You have no idea - this tank went without any care for probably almost 6 months. No water changes, no filter changes, no vacuuming, nothing. The only reason they lived was because there was a bunch of live plants in there which they ate over time. It's really frustrating trying to get it back to "normal" and I know how I am.. If I get frustrated over a longer period of time I'll just give up. So I need to fix it so I can move forward and feel like I'm making the tank work right. I haven't made any progress in the past couple of months so I need to step up the actions to physically remove the problem.

Thanks again for all the posts. I'll be doing this this coming weekend and I'll post back the results.

-Alli

[neurotik]

That sounds like a pretty terrible situation, I feel so bad for the fish

Good luck this weekend!

[spoonman]

What kind of filter does this tank have on it. If it is a HOB does it have 2 places for media? If it does, do you guys think it would be a good idea to swap out one of them?

[Allistah]

The filter is an AquaClear 110 HOB. It's got the big square sponge at the bottom, then I have one of those ammonia(white)/charcoal combo chemical filter, then the white bio rock things along with a bag of de-nitrate on the top to try and help soak up the nitrates.

I just put the white/black chemical bag in there 4 days ago so I'm going to be keeping the filter exactly the same. All I will do is rinse off the sponge filter to get out all the chunks of stuff thats caught in there.

Looks like I'll do this on Sunday when my girlfriend is home and can help me out.

[spoonman]

Sounds like a plan. Good luck and keep us informed.

[Allistah]

I forgot to report that the nitrate test kit that I'm using is from API (Aquarium Pharmaceuticles). Here is a picture of it for reference. I always make sure that I shake it as instructed for the correct times.

Nitrate Test Kit - API

Is this test kit any good? Is there a better one that I should be using?

[neurotik]

That test kit should be fine. That is the same nitrate test kit that is included in API's freshwater master test kit, which also includes tests for pH, ammonia, and nitrite as well. The main thing you want to stay away from when it comes to test kits are those strip tests, they are usually pretty inaccurate. Liquid/drop tests are much better.

[spoonman]

Thats the one I use. No problems for me.

[Allistah]

Hey all --

Short version:
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(Tank is a 55 gal long, contains about 10 African cichlids, a pleco, a catfish, and a crawdad)
I got the water transfusion done and cleaned all the gravel so it's nice and clear. Numerous fish are "scratching" where they go next to a rock or something and quickly rub their body on it. Any idea what this is and what I need to do to fix it? If I put the same rock back in and the same filter thats been established, will the tank go through another cycle? Or is it a filter that goes through the cycle?


Before I moved the fish back, I took chemical readings:

• Ph - 8.0
• Ammonia - 0.25
• Nitrite - 0.0
• Nitrate - 0.0

I have the heater set at 79 degrees. I'll be taking chemical readings every other day to make sure things are stable and don't get out of whack and then start spacing the readings out as I see that things are stable.

Long version:
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I just got done with my tank transfusion about two hours ago. I bought two 19 gallon round tubs and started by putting current tank water into the tubs. Then when there was enough water I moved the rocks into the tubs. I then put more water in the tubs until they were about 3-4" from the top of the tubs. Then I transferred the fish one by one into the tubs. I also put the airstones in the tubs as well. Then I drained the remaining water from the tank and took it out on the back lawn. I then proceded to use the hose to wash out the gravel. It was so dirty that the water was dark brown and you couldn't see through it at all. I would clean the gravel and dump the water, rinse, repeat. I must have done this about 25 times or so until the water stopped getting any cleaner. Dumped all the water out again and brought it back inside where I then proceded to fill it up. I filled it up and then installed the new Fluval E200 heater. I started by moving all the rock back into the tank and moving the air stones back as well. Once it was up to temp I used bags to move the fish back into the tank to make sure there wasn't any temp difference. Once I got all the fish back in things are going well. I have however noticed that some of the fish are "scratching" (I think it's called). The go next to a rock or something and then with a quick move rub themselves on it. Not sure what to look for here but any tips would be appreciated.

Thanks,

-Alli

[Allistah]

Hrm, I'm also noticing that some of the fish have front fin damage now. I'm guessing from being in the tubs with the rocks. Will that take care of itself or is there something that I should do to help these fins heal up?