Water changes a problem?

[Samzter]

What I don't get is when I do a water change the next morning all the fish are gasping?! I've checked my tap water and It stands at 0ppm for nitrite . Yet the tanks is at 1 ppm. But previous to the change the levels are 0. This lasts for two days after the change and I can't figure out what is going on. Any advice would be great.

 

[Convict2161]

Are you stirring up debris during water changes?

 

[Samzter]

Are you stirring up debris during water changes?

Well, sort of because I'm vacuuming the sand and I give the vacuum a little swirl to start collecting up some poo.

 

[tamtam]

Debris were my first thought too. Or perhaps some toxins/gases being released from the sand? I think your tanks are pretty well planted so that may be a non issue.

 

[Convict2161]

I'm gonna say that probably the stirring up debris and poop from the sand. Maybe do partial sand vacs? A little each time?

Or maybe you'll just have to do a larger water change after vacuuming?

I'm just shooting out ideas.

 

[jlk]

You mention checking your tap for nitrite. What are the ammonia levels in your tap? I am taking a guess here that theres a decent amount of ammonia in your tap and your seeing a nitrite spike the next day after a wc because nitrite takes a bit longer to be processed. What type of water conditioner are you using and how are you dosing it for a wc?

 

[tamtam]

jlk might be on to something too. That would really make sense.

 

[Samzter]

You mention checking your tap for nitrite. What are the ammonia levels in your tap? I am taking a guess here that theres a decent amount of ammonia in your tap and your seeing a nitrite spike the next day after a wc because nitrite takes a bit longer to be processed. What type of water conditioner are you using and how are you dosing it for a wc?

Its currentlystanding at 0.25 for ammonia.

 

[jlk]

Hmm... that would explain some of nitrite but I also would expect a cycled tank to process this easily. Do you have city water? How long has this tank been setup? Has this been happening since day 1 or is this a more recent development?

 

[Samzter]

Hmm... that would explain some of nitrite but I also would expect a cycled tank to process this easily. Do you have city water? How long has this tank been setup? Has this been happening since day 1 or is this a more recent development?

I have city water, the tank has been setup for 6 months, it has only been happening in the last 3 weeks.

 

[jetajockey]

Do you run the filter all night? Some people have their stuff on timers, that's why I ask. Do you have co2?

What is your current stockload and tank size? What kind of filter?

 

[Samzter]

Do you run the filter all night? Some people have their stuff on timers, that's why I ask. Do you have co2?

What is your current stockload and tank size? What kind of filter?

The filter is on all night and I don't have co2. I have 2 filters both fluval u3 and I also a u2 but it's not in use. My stock load today is:
9 neons
8 cherry barbs
A dozen baby platies
3 baby guppies
8 panda Cories
A GBR
6 otos
8 RCS
3 amano shrimp
I've started up my own mini business and started selling some . Today I sold off my DGs and tomorrow all the guppies and platies are going. Water change schedule is twice a week about 30% per change.