i dont know what is going on

[hartman57]

i have a lake malawi tank (45 gal.) and i have had it for 1 .5 years. i had 2 fish die in 2 days an eyebiter and a fucostomus. i also have a zebra tiliapia which is a pretty decent size. he seems to be very dull in color lately. i have noticed that he would have normal color then 1 minute later he was extremely dull. i have a labidochromis and he is has blackened in the face and somewhat near the gills.they both are not acting as normal and hiding alot. they are not eating at all either. i have checked the levels in my tank and my nitrates areat 200, and my water is very hard 250. also my ph is 7.6 and my nitrites are 0. i do 25% water change usually 2-3 times a month. i have a cascade 100 filter and i change the pads during water changes. i have a wall bubbler and i treat the chorines and add stress coat when changing the water. any ideas also did a quarter water change yesterday to. any ideas???? please help!!

 

[Gunnie]

Sounds like you might have nitrate poisoning. Your nitrate level should get no higher than 20. Try an extra big water change to get those nitrates down along with a heavy gravel vac and see if that helps.

 

[hartman57]

i did a water change about 1 1/2 hour ago!!! i went out for about 30 mins and another fish was dead. i just purchased him 3 days ago. im frustrated. i guess every tank gets itno this type of rut. this is my 2nd in a year and a half. my first was with ick and we wont get into that.
wouldnt a water change like that create more stress. i did a 30% and 1 died 1/2 hout later