SKB
Aquarium Advice FINatic
I have a 45 gallon african cichlid tank. I did my testing yesterday and for some reason the nitrites, nitrates, and ammonia are up. So I did a 30% was change and vac. I read it again, and its about the same. Nitrites, nitrates and ammonia still up. I haven't done anything new with my tank. I haven't put any new fish in my tank. Nothing new. They've seemed happier than ever really.
There's either some issue I don't see or, last week when I cleaned it I'm wondering if I used too hot of water on the filter and filter media, could I have cooked the good bacteria out?? The tank has been up for 4-5 months since I put sand in it I believe so I'd think enough bacteria would be in the substrate and everything.
Or the only other thing I can think of is it sits in front of a window I open to get light into my plants and its been more sunny lately, could that do anything? I don't see any extra Algea than normal
There's either some issue I don't see or, last week when I cleaned it I'm wondering if I used too hot of water on the filter and filter media, could I have cooked the good bacteria out?? The tank has been up for 4-5 months since I put sand in it I believe so I'd think enough bacteria would be in the substrate and everything.
Or the only other thing I can think of is it sits in front of a window I open to get light into my plants and its been more sunny lately, could that do anything? I don't see any extra Algea than normal