elusivemuffin

My tank stats and tank answers:
(I just checked these a few minutes ago)

ammonia:0ppm
nitrite:0ppm
nitrate:5.0
pH:In-between 7.2-2.6
Temperature: I have an automatic heater that steadily stays at 78 F.

Recently I started to use Liquid Fertilizer and after a couple of weeks I started to have signs of big algae problem so I stopped using it. I have heard using liquid fertilizer tended to feed the algae and less beneficial for the plants than I thought. So I'm trying to start on fertilizer tablets for the roots of the plants instead. This is why I believe Nitrate is at 5.0

Currently I have 1 betta, 1 Inca snail and 5 otocinclus catfish.

I usually clean my tank 25% every week, but on a different day. (I am trying to make it a specific day so I wont forget.) I change my filters about a month. I clean my pump after 3-4 weeks.

I feed my otocinclus catfish mostly algae tablets and they eat on the tank sides. I used to feed them cucumbers not so much in more. Lacking in the fridge.

I have a cheap 5-10 gallon pump with biological filter and carbon filter. It's usually good enough to move the plants on one side.
My tank is a planted 10 gallon. All I do is siphon to clean the gravel and a wire brush to clean the pump and rarely scrub the sides of the tank.

I have had my tank setup for maybe about 4 or 5 months up before I added any fish to it. Mostly due to indecision at that time. I just kept a filter and pump it in running, gravel and a few plants. I've had these same things in it since I've added fish.

Problem/Question:

Anyway: I am worried about my otocinclus catfish. During the daytime they mostly stay hidden away in their log just sitting there. I do notice a few come out to suck on the tank, but only 2 of them together.

They mostly come out at night.

One in particular has got me worried, because it's nose and mouth is redder than the others. I notice them in general look to be breathing hard. I'm afraid the nitrate might bother their health and there might not be enough oxygen even from the pump.

Can you tell me if this is normal and any tips on reducing the nitrate if that's the problem? I added 2 Marimo (Moss) balls in there. I don't exactly want to bother with any algae killer.

10gallonmadness

Well most Catfish are nocturnal so mostly coming out at night is normal.

When has your tank been established and what acclimation method did you use for your otto's?

Nitrate at 5 PPM I doubt is the problem.

elusivemuffin

I set up my 10 gallon 6 months ago (In May)
Bought Bettafish 5 months ago (June)
Bought ottos 4 months ago (July)

For establishing I just put gravel, used aqua tech pump and added real plants. Then I added a bettafish a month later.

When I bought the ottos I Quarantined them for about 3 weeks in my 5 gallon hospital tank.

For acclimation:
I would add the same water they were in, put them in a container and slowly add more of the new tank water in. This would take a couple of hours.

Then I would slowly tip the container in the water and kind of push them out.

(I'm trying to find a better method of acclimation means, because I could contaminate the water for hospitalization reasons)

CHoffman

Hi and Welcome to Fishlore
Ottos are Wonderful. I just love them in my tanks!. They are VERY sensitive though. They go through a lot before we even get them so they can die very easily even if we are doing everything right, even months after we get them. I did notice you said you changed your filter every month. That really isn't necessary and can actually do more harm then good. Just rinse them out in old tank water that you've siphoned out or water that you've treated with water conditioner. Don't use tap water. That will kill any beneficial bacteria you have. You can use your filter and just rinse until it's literally falling apart. When you change out the filters your taking away a TON of good bacteria and it could be causing small spikes in ammonia and nitrite. That would cause the reddness and heavy breathing your seeing. 5 for Nitrates is great! so I don't think that is the problem

elusivemuffin

Thank you for the advice! I think you're right. It is harming things, because I used my regular tap water without thinking to activate the carbon and I put it in my pump. That could be messing up good stuff.

CHoffman

When you use your tap water to put new water in are you treating it with a water conditioner? Also Carbon is great to have but not necessary. I don't use it in any of my tanks. With Carbon it does need to be changed out. Carbon can only filter so much before it becomes "full" and can't filter anymore, at that point it starts releasing toxins into the water. I cut the filter and empty out the carbon and then use the filter itself and just keep rinsing it and reusing it. Carbon isn't bad at all you just have to change it and when your chaning the filter along with it, it could very well throw you into a mini cycle, causing your ammonia and nitrites to go up.

elusivemuffin

Oh yes I use water conditioner every time I put new water in.

Yeah I buy these E-Z change filter cartridges that have carbon inside. They can kind of get on the expensive side so I might be using your method soon. With these I didn't change it every 2-4 weeks like I was supposed to. It was probably more like 5-6 weeks. I'll do 2-4 weeks for now on or your method with 1. conditioned water or 2. aquarium water