I have a 20 gallon tank with 1 honey gourami, 2 red eye balloon tetras, 3 neon tetras, 1 remaining cory cat. All has been well for many months with weekly water changes and an under gravel filter.
Last week a snail died, this week I lost a cory cat and for last 2 days remaining cory cat has been lethargic, occasionally swimming to surface, and hiding. Other fish are also huddling in corners and acting strange.
Today I did a 30% water change and suctioned gravel, I also added a new canister filter because I want to gradually switch over from UGF so I can grow more plants. Fish seem more stressed now. Maybe due to water change or to increased water flow with 2 filters running.
Tested water and found some problems: nitrites 0, nitrates between 40-80 ppms (Yikes!), ph 7.5, KH 80 and GH 180 (too hard I think). Temp is about 76 degrees.
I would appreciate any advice about how to deal with water quality issues. I would also appreciate any insights into issue with cory cat. Thanks
Last week a snail died, this week I lost a cory cat and for last 2 days remaining cory cat has been lethargic, occasionally swimming to surface, and hiding. Other fish are also huddling in corners and acting strange.
Today I did a 30% water change and suctioned gravel, I also added a new canister filter because I want to gradually switch over from UGF so I can grow more plants. Fish seem more stressed now. Maybe due to water change or to increased water flow with 2 filters running.
Tested water and found some problems: nitrites 0, nitrates between 40-80 ppms (Yikes!), ph 7.5, KH 80 and GH 180 (too hard I think). Temp is about 76 degrees.
I would appreciate any advice about how to deal with water quality issues. I would also appreciate any insights into issue with cory cat. Thanks