Mert16

Hello,
Let's see where to begin. I have two male dwarf gouramis that have been acting weird for the last two days. Usually they were very big eaters. they'd race to the top of the tank as soon as I approached. Big Moe had the right side of the tank and Perry would be on the left. They got along very well. Now they are at the bottom of the tank hiding under the rock formation I have. yesterday and today at feeding time, they did not budge. they seem interested then they go back down. I'm worried.the other firsh in the tank are all doing fine. they are eating and swimming. I have had a hard time cycling my tank though. I may have set it back about two weeks ago when the ammonia levels would always be very high. I would add Cycle, but I was told it was the wrong type of bacteria and may have been experiencing mini cycles. so I have stopped it since. I've been doing water changes every other day to lower the ammonia. this morning I buffered the water with correct pH and the ammonia level has gone down a bit to 2.0 form over 4.0. What should I do? keep up the water changes till it cycles? what about my gouramis? should I worry? I have no algae, the water doesn't smell and it is very clear. please help!

capekate

It sounds like your gouramis are suffering from toxins in your water. The ammonia and the nitrite levels are toxic. Why these and not the others? I do not know, but these do sound like the water conditions are affecting their health. I would keep up with the water changes. And add a water conditioner such as PRIME to help lock up the ammonia and nitrItes. Consider that any time you adjust the PH with chemicals you also run the risk of injuring your fish. With those levels I would be doing a partial water change daily. It may be a matter of time before your other fish get sick as well due to the water perimeters. I hope that all works out well...

~ kate

Mert16

thank you,
can you tell me more or less when my tank will cycle completely. what else has to be done. It should cycle eventually, right? I will do the daily water changes too. how much should I change?

capekate

Since your ammonia is at a high point, I would do 1/4 of your tank daily using PRIME with each water change. You are showing ammonia and nitrItes now so soon you will see nitrAtes showing. So you may not have long to go. When your tests show 0 ammonia and 0 nitrIte and nitrAtes between 10-20 you will have cycled your tank. Is there some reason why you decided to use a PH buffer?
~ kate

Mert16

I used it because it says it helps lower the ammonia level, which it did.

capekate

ok.. I was wondering.. thanks. Yes, at a lower PH, your ammonia which is very toxic will convert to ammonium which has a less effect on your fish.
But with that said.. changing your PH and having it fluctuate will bring more harm than good for your fish. Its something that has to be done correctly and must continually hold a stable reading or it can harm your fish.

~ kate

Mert16

hey guys guess what? I've been monitoring the gouramis and I started to check all my eqiupment. I noticed that the bubble wand wasn't bubbling alot like it usually does. so I removed the tubing from the pump and snipped the end and reattached it. well the wand started full force. about forty minutes later the gouramis have emerged and ate a few bloodworms. they have been swimming a little more but not like before. could it have been low oxygen? My other fish all have been fine through this all. I hope things turn out good.