BrendanIgnatius

Hi
I installed an airstone along with an anubias attached to driftwood yesterday and ever since my blue gourami has been lying at the bottom on the gravel and only coming to the surface briefly for air. He has been pale in color for about 4 months now but had been swimming happily near the top of the tank.

Is this normal or is there a problem?

AlyeskaGirl

Gourmais are sensitive to water conditions....what are the readings for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate?

BrendanIgnatius

The ammonia is 0 as well as the nitrite, but my nitrate has been out of control and has come down over the past month or two from 200+ to 150

AlyeskaGirl

You use test strips....most of us or all of us on Fishlore use the liquid API Master test kit. NitrAtes should be 20 or less using the API kit.

BrendanIgnatius

Could you please specify the advantages of using a liquid master test kit over testing strips? I am well aware that nitrates should not be above 40, however I was recently very busy and was not able to constantly tend to my aquarium. I have had a high nitrate level for some time now and I am now just having adequate time to tend to my aquarium. I have been diligently working to bring down my nitrate level however it is a slow process. For future reference: It is not a good idea to use elipses in text except for in quotes as they can be taken the wrong way and project a negative image upon them. Thank you, have a nice day.

Lucy

AlyeskaGirl was not trying to be rude, only helpful.
Actually, I've seen many people use elipses in text and never view them as rude.
However, your curtness comes accross as rude.

You actually could have answered your own question. You already know high nitrates are not healthy for your fish, could be your gourami is showing the effects of being exposed to the nitrates for such an amount of time.
As you probably know, a series of daily water changes should bring them down.

Do you know what your pH was before and after adding the driftwood? Driftwood can lower you pH. Fluctuations is pH aren't healthy either. However, I don't think the wood would have caused a drastic drop in pH in a little amount of time so as to effect your fish.

I've found that the liquid kits are more reliable the strips. It's less costly in the long run also.
I would question whether or not your getting an accurate nitrate reading given you're using strips.

Good luck, I hope your gourami feels better soon.

BrendanIgnatius

Sorry for the misunderstanding. Thanks for the info about the liquid test kits I'll pick one up the next time I'm at the store.

Lucy

Good luck, I hope your gourami perks up soon.