CichlidFish.com - Fish That Think.

Did a 25% water change today on my 48 gal. bow aquarium.
Waited 2 Hours.
Did my tests:
PH 7.0
Amonia 0 ppm
Nitrite 0 ppm
Temp 77degrees
and now for the problem - Nitrate: 120ppm
Checked it twice to be sure.
I have some chemical exp. so I think these tests are very accurate.

Fish seem fine
(1) 5" Red O/ Lucky
(1) 9" Pleco/ Ben
48 gallon Bow
Filter (1) "70" AquaCoear Power Filter /40-70 gallon

The test book says I can buy: Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Nitra.Zorb or try more frequent water changes. I'm also worried this is going to be a problem with my son's 150 gal with my 5 p's in it- 40ppm nitrates. Note; Nitrate was high as well when the p's were in it. Any thoughts or suggestions???

I know it may seem funny considering there's only 2 fish....
but then again it is only a 48 gallon tank and it holds a medium sized pair of what may well be 2 of this hobby's dirtiest fish.

Do you know what the baseline water readings are? Is there any NO3 in your tapwater?

I think the main reason that the NO3 reading is so high is because you have that pleco.
They're a kinda cool fish, but there's no doubt they're also phenominal fecal factories.
If it's eating well, Ben probably out-craps Lucky by double or even triple the amount.

I'm on the verge of getting rid of the pleco in our 90g myself.
Our Hoover is only a 3/4" longer than our Oscars, yet it craps more than the other 3 fish in that tank put together - and that's no joke!
I've cleaned out one string that had to be 54" long - it went from one end of the aquarium, around every plant & decoration and all the way to the other end of the tank!!

Anyway, if you're going to keep Ben in that tank, I'd say your going to have to keep up a healthy regiment of fairly high %PWC's to keep the NO3 under control.
For now, I'd do a 75% PWC every 24 hours till that NO3 drops under 40 ppm, then a 25-50% PWC to bring it below 20. Keep doing water tests & every time the NO3 gets over 20ppm, do a 20-50% PWC.

I don't think the same thing will happen with the 150 - at least not as quickly. It's close, but 5 in 150 isn't quite as bad as 2 in 48. There really shouldn't be a problem so long as the 150 has good filtration....and you & your son keep up with the PWC's.
(Just please remember to stay safe when dealing that P tank.)

Do you know what the baseline water readings are? Is there any NO3 in your tapwater?

Id be checking that too,, luckily nitrates are not as stressfull on the fish as nitrite and ammonia, even at high levels.

Tank is way too small though unless your prepared to do a lot of water changes.

I'd do a 75% PWC every 24 hours till that

mmm personally Id do 25% daily as 75% would stress the fish too much and possibly disrupt the cycle.

Happy to report nitrates are in the 20ppm level and all other tests are perfect. Took 1 week to get it that way in the 48 gallon Bow Aquarium (I know, I know ...I gotta move up ...heehee).

Here is how I did it in 1 week:
25% water change day 1 through 3
Day 3 I added a Rechargable Nitra-Zorb (15 Bucks) placed it in filter.
Day 4 rested
Day 5 heavy duty vacuum ...man did it need it looked like mud going in the bucket (shame on me) Resulted in a 50% water change.
Day 6 Nitrate 20ppm, all other tests perfect
Day 7 same
Day 8 same
Looking good so far and my oscar is growing way fast and seems happy as a pig in "mud." The pleco "Ben" well ...he has absolutely no personality but loooks way cool ...he's about 9 inches and My Red is at least 6 inches already.

Keep you posted if any radical changes.

Thanks Again for everyones help.

Hey folks- I am in need of some help with my pleco- But this post may have solved my problem. I posted the details on the "Disease and treatment section" and then I just found this. Can I ask why Scopi-o said to say safe when dealing with plecos?
Is there somthing that I do not know? health issue?
Anyway, if you have any thoughts about what I wrote there, I could use some input. Thanks.

Scorpi-O Posted on 02-06-2006 02:12 AM :
I don't think the same thing will happen with the 150 - at least not as quickly. It's close, but 5 in 150 isn't quite as bad as 2 in 48. There really shouldn't be a problem so long as the 150 has good filtration....and you & your son keep up with the PWC's.
(Just please remember to stay safe when dealing that P tank.)

Owen Posted on 03-11-2006 12:10 AM:
Can I ask why Scopi-o said to say safe when dealing with plecos? Is there something that I do not know? health issue?

LOL :redlaugh: !!!! It's an honest mistake Owen......
I wasn't telling him to say safe when dealing with plecos. In this case, the P doesn't stand for Plecos.
Jeffers has edited the post, but that 150 gallon tank his son has holds 5 Piranha.
I think you can understand my reminder for safety when dealing with them.
A pleco won't take your finger off, but piranha wouldn't think twice

Peace & Be Safe!

Ahhh....Placo...piranha This is good, I can put my hand back in the tank!:D

It's always good to be careful for your sake and your fish.
Ya still have to be watchful of the pleco's dorsal & pectoral spikes too.
No pleco fangs, but they do have teeth! Some species of pleco have very noticable "teeth".
This is Tuxedo, a young L190 Royal Pleco that my wife got the other night.
You can clearly see his small wood rasping clam-shaped teeth.

Peace & Be Safe!