50 Gallon Tank Think I May Have Found One Of My Tank Problems

Looking on the site I found something I wanted to try which was a turkey baster. This was the result. Might be why my Ammonia spiked this week and why my Nitrates are always high. May need to do this a less twice a week to get rid of most of the waste.

Also think I'm feeding them to much, this is what I give twice a day.

3 black Molly
3 Dalmatian Molly
6 tiger barbs
2 Glofish shark
1 Pleco

 

you might want to investing in a python or a diy maxI jet powerhead vacuum.

i'd suggest doing 50% weekly water changes or more.

 

If you've not been doing it or don't have one you need to get and use a gravel vacuum. If your substrate is gravel you need to push the end of the gravel vac down deep into the gravel. Once the water runs clear from that spot move it over a couple of inches and repeat.

If you will pull out too much water doing the whole bottom of the tank do part of it this water change and a different part the next time. Eventually you will have cleaned the whole bottom and then just continue to do this for the life of the tank.

Some folks are afraid to do this thinking they are removing beneficial bacteria but fear not. What you are pulling out is the waste the bacteria has already used for food. Bacteria won't be removed by removing the waste.

BTW: Your common Pleco would love some veggies along with his algae wafers. Mine LOVED his zucchini. He outgrew my tank so is now living his life in a huge above ground pond.

 

I do 50% changes every week. I think I will use the turkey baster twice a week to try and get the waste out. I have been looking at the python but at the moment got a lot going on the beginning of the year taking my money so doing this a little at a time.

Might also go to WC twice a week also. I'm I feeding them to much? They eat like I have not feed them in days.

I'm still learning to use the Gravel vac. I figured I was doing it wrong. Thanks mattgirl

 

I do 50% changes every week. I think I will use the turkey baster twice a week to try and get the waste out. I have been looking at the python but at the moment got a lot going on the beginning of the year taking my money so doing this a little at a time.

Might also go to WC twice a week also. I'm I feeding them to much? They eat like I have not feed them in days.

I'm still learning to use the Gravel vac. I figured I was doing it wrong. Thanks mattgirl

I don't think you are feeding too much. I know I might over feed mine but I can't help myself. They always act like they are starving. 'specially the mollies Your common Pleco would love some veggies along with his algae wafers. Mine LOVED his zucchini. He outgrew my tank so is now living his life in a huge above ground pond.

I have always used a gravel vac so am pretty well versed on it use. I suspect the day will come when I can no longer lift the buckets I use for water changes but until that day comes I will continue doing it this way. I know lots of folks swear by their Python though since it mkes water changes easier. I can sure see that when they have huge an/or numerous tanks.

Let your numbers be your guide as to how much and how often water changes are needed. My 55 gallon is pretty heavily stocked (my corys got real happy and now my original 6 have bloomed into about 30) so I do no less than 30% water changes on it every 5 or 6 days. My smaller tanks get no less than 50% per week.

If your nitrates are going up quickly it might take 2 water changes a week but if not then once a week might be sufficient.

 

speaking of your pleco and out door pond. Can they live in a natural pond? I know he will out grow my tank and I found that out too late but my dad has a pond on his land that he stocks with gold fish (along with others like bream) was wondering if I could take him to that pond when it is time.

 

speaking of your pleco and out door pond. Can they live in a natural pond? I know he will out grow my tank and I found that out too late but my dad has a pond on his land that he stocks with gold fish (along with others like bream) was wondering if I could take him to that pond when it is time.

I don't see why he would have a problem there. If you put a male and female in there one day there may be a huge shoal of them and if the pond has an overflow dam that feeds a stream it might not be a good idea but that can't happen if he is in there alone. If the pond is land locked it wouldn't be a problem at all.

 

Thank you, You just relieved one of my big concerns. I did not want to stunt his growth and did not have another place for him.

 

Thank you, You just relieved one of my big concerns. I did not want to stunt his growth and did not have another place for him.

The common Pleco is my favorite fish. I really wish I had a tank big enough to have one. I knew when I got Jethro my common as a tiny fry I would have to one day re-home him. My local fish store happens to be at the owners home out in the country. I knew when I got Jethro I would only get to enjoy him up until he got up to 7 or so inches long. Sadly that took less than a year. I had already made arrangements with the fish store owner for him to go the the huge pond. It was a say day when I had to let him go but thus is life.

I still have that handsome fellow over there in my avatar. He is just over 3 years old now and is close to full grown. He is about 4 1/2 inches long. I do love Elbert but if I had the room I would choose to have Jethro back