nicole0701
Aquarium Advice Apprentice
- Joined
- Jun 23, 2013
- Messages
- 10
Hello. I recently cleaned my tank, it's a 20 gallon with 6 mollies (4 of which are fry from the original two that have grown) and a dwarf gourami.
Had the tank for about 2.5 years and no problems. I am pregnant so have not had the time to clean the tank unfortunately in a long time until now, although the fish were still healthy and ammonia and nitrate level were fine. The filter cartridges were so dirty that I replaced them with new ones, then waited a few days and cleaned the tank, about a 50% water change since it had been so long. I also took out some of the plants and put in new ones.
Now my black molly does not seem to be doing well. His fins look split in certain places and has a small white spot on his mouth. All other fish are fine; however, ammonia levels are at 0.25 ppm, and nitrate levels are between 40 and 80 ppm (always hard to tell with API color chart).
I am worried I upset the balance of my tank by cleaning it too much and removing the good bacteria. If that is the case, does anyone know how long it will take to reestablish the tank or if there is anything I can do to help speed up the process before any other fish get sick?
Thanks for any advice.
Had the tank for about 2.5 years and no problems. I am pregnant so have not had the time to clean the tank unfortunately in a long time until now, although the fish were still healthy and ammonia and nitrate level were fine. The filter cartridges were so dirty that I replaced them with new ones, then waited a few days and cleaned the tank, about a 50% water change since it had been so long. I also took out some of the plants and put in new ones.
Now my black molly does not seem to be doing well. His fins look split in certain places and has a small white spot on his mouth. All other fish are fine; however, ammonia levels are at 0.25 ppm, and nitrate levels are between 40 and 80 ppm (always hard to tell with API color chart).
I am worried I upset the balance of my tank by cleaning it too much and removing the good bacteria. If that is the case, does anyone know how long it will take to reestablish the tank or if there is anything I can do to help speed up the process before any other fish get sick?
Thanks for any advice.