Recent content by rotorhead22

Your filtration seems to be on the small for a 75g. Although it was probably ok for your 55g, you should be cycling water at about 750 gph minimum. Have you measured your nitrates right before you do your water change? They may be high and will make your algae problem worse.

How are doing your water changes? Do you have a Python or Aqueon Water changer? I also have a 55 gal and it make PWC so easy. I merely add enough Prime for the volume of the PWC and add the water from the tap. Make sure your water temp or pH doesn't fluctuate too much. I have never lost a...

What are your Nitrate levels? It is tricky to read Nitrates requiring vigorous shaking of one of the two bottles. With 25 cichlids and 10% weekly water changes, your nitrates should be very high, thus causing your problems.

Mr.Roboto

+1 And they're easy to find.

What are your Nitrite levels? Ammonia and Nitrites are toxic to fish.

Absolutely not. Ammonia and Nitrites are toxic to fish. You must typically keep them below .25 ppm and as close to 0 as possible. I know this seems counterproductive for the beneficial bacteria in the tank but higher levels will kill your fish. Also, please note that at higher temperatures...

The observation of chasing after a PWC is typical in many cichlids; they like "clean water." Rams are particularly sensitive to water conditions so PWCs will often induce spawning.

Hi, they spiked because you have a larger colony of BB converting ammonia to Nitrites. If you didn't have high nitrites your ammonia would be high. Now your Nitrite converting BB must increase to convert all of your Nitrites into Nitrates. As somebody mentioned, you are close to the end of...

you need to keep the bio max media so the BB colonizes the large surface area of the porous ceramic media (sponge also has lots of surface area). Don't use additives to remove ammonia. A properly cycled tank will have enough BB to convert ammonia into Nitrites and concert Nitrites into...

Was your tank cycled? How large a water change? Did you use water conditioner to remove chlorine? How did you rinse your filter media? What are your water parameters (ammonia, nitrites)?

Measure your Nitrates after your water change. Guarantee that a 10% PWC is not enough. Do enough of a water change to keep Nitrates between 25 and 60 ppm. With a bioload like yours, large water changes are necessary. Uncontrolled algal growth is caused by too much light (time, intensity)...

Nice fish. Maybe a J. marlieri??? regani??

It is too much flow for the sponge. The largest I have ever used on a sponge (filter max II) is a 174 gph powerhead but as an auxiliary filter only. I think the max for a regular #5 would be under 200 gph. Try and get a replacement Pro 5 sponge and try that. you can also order one more Pro5...

He does look very thin. What are you feeding him? How many times a day? P. Johanni are aggressive so that behavior is normal. http://www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/species.php?id=760 The fin thing is not normal and you may have a fish that is ill. Unless he is being attacked by another...