Water Parameters - Fish Died

HI folks....

I lost a comet today.

My parameters are...

Ph....7.6
Hr Ph.....8.0
Ammonia....... .25
Nitrites.....2.0
Nitrates....5.0

I did a 20% waterchange and vacuum yesterday.

I like to think I am reasonably intelligent. However, I am becoming frustrated.

Advice? Wisdom?

Any help is greatly appreciated!!!!

 

How long has the tank been running? It’s definitely not cycled. What’s your temp and stock? How big is the tank? I would use tetra safestart to fasten the cycling of you still have fish in it. In the meanwhile I would test the water every day. If ammonia and nitrite creep up, you need to do a water change. 20% is too small. It’s only adequate when your tank is fully cycled. I would do a large water change. At least 50%

 

I have had it up about 6 weeks. Temp is 77.8 and we have 3 comets and 5 snails. 35 gallon is the size.

I will check the numbers daily starting tomorrow. If the ammonia and nitrite rise significantly I will do 50% water change.

I will keep you posted.

I do have some top fin starter bacteria......should I go ahead and add more?

 

Just some clarification, your tanks pH is 8.0, the two tests are the same thing, they just split them between two tests, presumably to allow them to use cheaper chemicals. Hitting 7.6 in the low range test just means you need to use the high range test to get your actual ph

To help with your situation, I think your tank is not yet cycled. Are you on a well or city water? Do you use prime or another water conditioner?

I’d do at least a 50% water change to get that nitrite under 1, then dose enough prime to cover the entire tank to detoxify that nitrate and ammonia for the next 24 hours. Every day one of those two climbs above 1, you need to repeat, and if it is less than 1 but more than 0, you’ll still need to do a full dose of prime every 24 hours.

 

I have well water. I currently use tetra easy balance and tetra aqua safe. Is prime a better conditioner?

Or do they do the same?

I really appreciate the forum members help!!!!


I am all ears.

 

Most of us here use Prime over the other water conditioners. The others all do exactly what they say, nothing at all against them. The benefit Prime provides is that it is also able to temporarily detoxify ammonia and nitrite, which is a huge benefit if people find theselves in your situation.

 

Also I’d never heard of easy balance before, but just looked it up. I’d be hesitant to use a chemical that alters your ph because you then need to worry about ph swings when you do your weekly water changes. Most fish can easily live in whatever ph your tap water settles at, but no fish are able to easily withstand frequent ph changes.

 

Well water doesn’t need conditioner which is nice. But can have a high ph. I would add driftwood and catappa leaf to bring down ph in a natural way. Pour your bacteria product all at your filter. I mean the whole bottle. So here’s what I’ll do. I’ll do a water change with conditioner just to make sure. Check the parameter. If the ammonia or nitrite is above 1, I’ll do another water change with conditioner after things settle down a bit. Make sure use the same temp water. Once everything cool down a bit, count your clock. 24+ hours after you dose your conditioner, aka your last water change, pour the whole bottle of your bacteria in your filter or tank. Not just 10 ml. The whole bottle goes in. And then stop water change for at least 2 days. It should fAsten the cycle.

 

Update.....

Ph.....8
Ammonia...... .50
Nitrites...... 5.0
Nitrates...... 80

1/2 water change along with the rest of the nitrifying bacteria bottle....

Watching the clock now for at least the 24 hours.......

 

Sounds like you're right in the middle of your cycle. With fish-in-cycling water changes are a life saver. Keep testing and doing water changes in order to keep the numbers below toxic levels. The bacteria is growing now...it's just trying to compensate and level out for the bio load that's present currently.
With well water you don't need to add conditioners, however, it's not a bad idea to run a panel of tests on the water out of your tap just so you KNOW you're dealing with clean water parameters to start with. I also have well water but generally have around 10 ppm nitrates straight out of the faucet. It spiked to 25 ppm last spring...so just suggesting you keep track of it periodically. If you have Prime it will detoxify the nitrites and ammonia, but isn't necessary after your tank is cycled. If you don't have it you really need to do the water changes...daily if the parameter numbers indicate it.

 

Update

Ph....8.0
Ammonia.....25
Nitrites...... 2.0
Nitrates..... 80

1/2water change.......... I am cycling........will do it all again tomorrow......


I really appreciate you all!!!!!

 

Update

Ph 8.0
Ammonia.... .25
Nitrites..... .15......in between two colors
Nitrates..... .15...... in between two colors

Ammonia is coming down and nitrites also. Little puzzled at the nitrates.

I am not going to do a water change this evening. I will do it again tomorrow.

Thoughts? Advice??? Critiques?????

 

You could add some safe start to the tank to speed the cycle up.

 

Update.......skipped testing on Thursday

Today.....Friday

Ph.... 8.0
Ammo..... .25
Nitrites..... 0
Nitrates... 30

I also did a panel on my well water....
Ph.... 8.0
Ammo... 0
Nitrites... 0
Nitrates.. 0

What do you all think? Am I cycled? Or very near to being cycled????

 

Update

Ph....8
Ammo...... 0
Nitrites...... 0
Nitrates..... 80

I did a 30% water change tidied up the gravel a bit and gave my B.B. a awesome shout out!!!!!!!!!

Our 35 gallon bow is cycled!!!!!!!

Thanks for everyone’s advice and encouragement!!!!!!

 

Couple more water changes and you'll have the nitrates down where you want them! Congrats!

 

Thanks......I appreciate your input and positive thoughts!!!!