lornajane89
Aquarium Advice Freak
Hi we recently bought an established fish tank that came with 9 large fish. we kept as much of the original water as we could during the move. we have since removed 5 large fish due to incompatibility (bullying etc) with the more peaceful species. These were exchanged for a number of smaller species. We were testing the water with 5 in 1 test strips where everything seemed in order except the GH and KH which were a little high
ph - 7.2
Nitrite - 0mg/l
Nitrate - 160mg/l
KH - 240mg/l
GH - 180mg/l
Trying to lower the water hardness we removed 25l from the tank and replaced with RO water. After testing again we found the hardness has reduced slightly and other values remained the same. after 24h one of our pregnant guppies died. we then took a water sample to our local pet store who carried out a more accurate test where we found
Ph - 7.2
Nitrate - 10ppm
Nitrite - 1.0ppm
Ammonia - 0.50ppm
we were advised to carry out another 25% water change and not to clean filters etc. and not to focus on the water hardness untill our slightly toxic issue had been resolved. we tested the water we were adding to ensure no ammonia and toxins were being added and found all results were 0, but hardness is still an issue this was treated with nutrafin cycle bacteria supplement and nutrafin aquaplus conditioner. we have been advised to go back to the store in 9 days but we bought our own more accurate test kit so we can monitor our tank more closely.
48 hours later we woke up to find one of our gouramis dead. we have tested the water and found
ammonia - 0.5ppm
nitrite - 0.25ppm
nitrate - 80ppm
ph - 7.5
also using a test strip to confirm results and found additionally
KH & GH - 180 mg/l
we are a little concerned aswell because one of our guppies has been showing similar behaviour as his dead tank mate for almost 2 days. can anybody offer any advise i dont know if another water change is going to help right away and thats all our petstore seem to advise.
When we carried out the 25% water change as first instructed we treated the new water we were adding to the tank. should we have also treated the water that was left in during the change.
PLEASE HELP!
thanks
Dean & Lorna
ph - 7.2
Nitrite - 0mg/l
Nitrate - 160mg/l
KH - 240mg/l
GH - 180mg/l
Trying to lower the water hardness we removed 25l from the tank and replaced with RO water. After testing again we found the hardness has reduced slightly and other values remained the same. after 24h one of our pregnant guppies died. we then took a water sample to our local pet store who carried out a more accurate test where we found
Ph - 7.2
Nitrate - 10ppm
Nitrite - 1.0ppm
Ammonia - 0.50ppm
we were advised to carry out another 25% water change and not to clean filters etc. and not to focus on the water hardness untill our slightly toxic issue had been resolved. we tested the water we were adding to ensure no ammonia and toxins were being added and found all results were 0, but hardness is still an issue this was treated with nutrafin cycle bacteria supplement and nutrafin aquaplus conditioner. we have been advised to go back to the store in 9 days but we bought our own more accurate test kit so we can monitor our tank more closely.
48 hours later we woke up to find one of our gouramis dead. we have tested the water and found
ammonia - 0.5ppm
nitrite - 0.25ppm
nitrate - 80ppm
ph - 7.5
also using a test strip to confirm results and found additionally
KH & GH - 180 mg/l
we are a little concerned aswell because one of our guppies has been showing similar behaviour as his dead tank mate for almost 2 days. can anybody offer any advise i dont know if another water change is going to help right away and thats all our petstore seem to advise.
When we carried out the 25% water change as first instructed we treated the new water we were adding to the tank. should we have also treated the water that was left in during the change.
PLEASE HELP!
thanks
Dean & Lorna