Theresajeannine
Aquarium Advice Newbie
- Joined
- Feb 11, 2016
- Messages
- 1
Hi I have a new Oscar fish that I got from a friend who is moving and could not keep him. I defiantly didn't anticipate this much work, and while I own that, I am trying the best I can to give him the best quality of life!
He is in a tank about 35-40 gallons, with a Aqueon 75 filter, whisper 20 bubbler, and a Tetra preset heater. He is about 6-7 in long and is a beautiful fish . I don't think his previous owners took the best care of him. I hope they did not stunt his growth as he is 3 years old (about they said) and should be much larger I feel.
All his levels are fine (0ppm) , pH is under 8 and above 6, EXCEPT FOR NITRATE. My master test kit is giving me a reading of 80ppm which is 2x what it should be, I have heard of fish being ok in 100ppm but to me this is an EMERGENCY!! (This was on 2.10.16)
I immediately did a water change , using my gravel siphon took out about 40% of the water . Let the tank settle and retested. Got a similar reading to the first, a little bit better but not much.(2.11.16) I have seriously* slowed down on feeding , and will be doing another water change immediately upon returning from work, another 50% change.
He did just move in 9 days ago, when we moved the tank the filter stayed pretty wet, and we left about 1/6 of the water in there(water he was living in) . We put in freshwater that i added the Aqua prime too. It did only cycle for 15 minute before putting the fish in. I wonder if high nitrate is bc tank finishing up "cycling"? I also don't think she cleaned his tank enough or even tested the water. So could it be the build up of years of nitrate? I know this type of buildup can long term harm them w HITH , etc, and I want to know if I should get nitrate drops to reduce levels? The fish store I have around here is a family owned and I feel pretty trustworthy & a good place to go .
I know also helpful would be a bigger tank
I'm in the market looking for one (first making sure I am right for this fish mommy thing!) before I commit to an 800$ set up.
Please any information is so helpful and ask me any questions you need!!! Thank you so much in advance .
P.s. I have a Pleco in there as well!! They get along fine Pleco seems happy.
He is in a tank about 35-40 gallons, with a Aqueon 75 filter, whisper 20 bubbler, and a Tetra preset heater. He is about 6-7 in long and is a beautiful fish . I don't think his previous owners took the best care of him. I hope they did not stunt his growth as he is 3 years old (about they said) and should be much larger I feel.
All his levels are fine (0ppm) , pH is under 8 and above 6, EXCEPT FOR NITRATE. My master test kit is giving me a reading of 80ppm which is 2x what it should be, I have heard of fish being ok in 100ppm but to me this is an EMERGENCY!! (This was on 2.10.16)
I immediately did a water change , using my gravel siphon took out about 40% of the water . Let the tank settle and retested. Got a similar reading to the first, a little bit better but not much.(2.11.16) I have seriously* slowed down on feeding , and will be doing another water change immediately upon returning from work, another 50% change.
He did just move in 9 days ago, when we moved the tank the filter stayed pretty wet, and we left about 1/6 of the water in there(water he was living in) . We put in freshwater that i added the Aqua prime too. It did only cycle for 15 minute before putting the fish in. I wonder if high nitrate is bc tank finishing up "cycling"? I also don't think she cleaned his tank enough or even tested the water. So could it be the build up of years of nitrate? I know this type of buildup can long term harm them w HITH , etc, and I want to know if I should get nitrate drops to reduce levels? The fish store I have around here is a family owned and I feel pretty trustworthy & a good place to go .
I know also helpful would be a bigger tank
I'm in the market looking for one (first making sure I am right for this fish mommy thing!) before I commit to an 800$ set up. Please any information is so helpful and ask me any questions you need!!! Thank you so much in advance .
P.s. I have a Pleco in there as well!! They get along fine
Pleco seems happy.
