New here, new to aquariums

[bigbadburnsy]

Hi all. My name is Alex. I am brand new to this site and pretty new to the aquarium world. I have a 55 gal freshwater tank that has been up and running for about 6 months since i upgraded from a 20 gal. I am running a Marineland emporer 400 HOB and a Fluval 306 for filtration. I have a 10-12 inch tiger oscar (bubba), an 8 inch red devil, an 8 inch polystigma, a 4 inch yellow lab, a 4 inch african leaf fish, a 5 inch raphael catfish and a 12 inch pleco. Until earlier today i also had a frontosa but when i did a water change and left to but new filter media I came home and it had died my nitrates have been off the charts for months now and i have started doing regular 50% water changes but it doesnt seem to help much. My pH is also chronically low and I have recently added crushed coral to help. Guy at my local fish store told me to 86 the canister and get another HOB to help with nitrates. Any help/opinions?

[Convict2161]

Welcome to the AA community


I'm not gonna hammer you as your new. In my strong opinion your overstocked and I wouldn't get rid of your canister.

I would post more questions I'm the Cichlid section and post up some pics also.

Oscars usually need alone a 75 gallon. You have a lot of fish in that tank.

I would guess and say that's why your NitrAtes are so high, you have one heck of a bio load there. You should think of re homing some if not all.

[Andrew McFadden]

to AA!

[Samzter]

Welcome! Yeah I have to agree with what convict said and would seriously take the advice. Glad to have you!

[Convict2161]

Any updates?

[melosu58]

Welcome aboard. We are glad you found us here at AA.

[Burgo345]

Welcome!!