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High Nitrates

Nitrates Food amount

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#1 Justcrzn

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Posted 28 February 2017 - 02:40 PM

Hello there,

 

This is my first post so be gentle :)

 

Type of fish: Cichlids African & American
Symptoms: Fish loosing colour and basically look unwell have lost 50% of stock over about 2 years.
Current Fish Stock :

2x Red Devil 20cm, 10cm

1x Red Zebra 12cm

1x Electric Yellow 12cm

2x Electric Blue 12cm male, 10cm female

2x Polleni 15cm

1x Venustas 20cm

1x Maingano 12cm

1x Jack Dempsy 15cm

1x Cobolt Blue 12cm

1x Bristle Nose 10cm

1x Red Tail Black Shark 10cm

1x Catfish 15cm

1x Trouphues Bomb 15cm

1x Euchilus 12cm

3x Fuelleborni 12cm

 

Tank capacity:  400lts 
Type of Food fed: Hikari Gold (50% floating 50% sinking)
Feeding frequency/amount:  approx 130 pellets once per day
Substrate: Crushed Coral
Type of filtration: 100ltr sump + Phosphate Nitrate filter
Frequency of sump filter cleans: once per month (sediment vacuumed and filter sponges washed), (media balls rinsed once per year (with tank water))
Frequency and % volume of water changes: 150ltrs weekly 30%

Last water change: last weekend
PH:  8.3
KH: 10
GH: ?
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 40 - 80
Ammonia: 0
Phosphate: ?
Water temp: 27
Medications used recently to date: Intestinal Hexamita Clear
Any recent changes..new fish/filters/power outages etc etc: None

 

I have kept Cichlids for about 2 years now.  Unfortunately I lose fish with what looks like sunken belly (especially the peacocks) In the past I have treated with Intestinal hexamita clear but didn't notice any improvement.  All fish are although feeding well.   The dilemma I am in, is that I have always had elevated nitrates (40 - 80) and know that if I feed more this will only get worse.

 

My questions are :

 

1 - Am really overfeeding ?

2 - How can I reduce nitrate levels ?

3 - Do you think what looks like sunken belly is due to underfeeding or indeed an internal parasite, if so any recommended medication.

 

I have attached a photo of my tank set-up

 

Attached File  IMG_2865.JPG   123.33KB   4 downloads

 

Appreciate any help.     Rob



#2 malawiman85

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Posted 28 February 2017 - 03:53 PM

Sounds to me like you are feeding a lot.
Nitrates aren't all that high. You wouldn't want them any higher that's for sure. Make sure you siphon the crap out from under and around rocks.
I change minimum 50% water per week in all tanks.

Have you tried worming your fish?

#3 malawiman85

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Posted 28 February 2017 - 06:53 PM

The other thing worth noting is that some of your fish are big and typically aggressive... Such as the Red Devils. Are they skinny too? If not the problem might just be some fish are getting a hard time, eating bugger all and getting stressed.

#4 Delapool

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Posted 28 February 2017 - 08:43 PM

Hoping your fish pick up and welcome


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Edited by Delapool, 28 February 2017 - 08:43 PM.


#5 Westie

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Posted 01 March 2017 - 08:59 AM

I was told by someone who used to frequent this forum to not feed my fish for 2 days of the week, so every Wednesday and Sunday no food goes in my tanks (unless I have fry). I find that this has helped with the health of my fish. I sometimes go away for work for 3 or more days and my fish do not get fed in this time. They all seem happy enough when I get back home.



#6 humbug

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Posted 01 March 2017 - 03:41 PM

I don't suppose you are testing using an API nitrate test kit?  If so, can I suggest you find a LFS which uses a different brand of test kit and get them to do a check on a water sample for you.  Even take your test kit along and do a test at the same time with yours and compare results.

We are seeing a LOT of people stressing over "nitrate problems" which disappear once their water is tested using an alternative brand.  The brands that use a powder as one of reagents (rather than two liquids) are likely to give you more accurate results. 



#7 Justcrzn

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  • Location: Winthrop

Posted 01 March 2017 - 04:46 PM

Thanks for your replies guys.

 

Malawiman85 - - Agree the red devil can be aggressive, but so far mine appears to be good natured, I haven't noticed any aggression (yet). He is not skinny.  I do my best to siphon all the muck from the substrate and dead spots each week.  I could try and increase water changes to 50% as suggested.  You mention worming can you recommend a good product ?

 

Westie - I've heard of skipping a daily feed.  Might just try that.

 

Humbug - Yes I am using API and shaking bottle #2 as required. Might try LFS but must admit I haven't heard of this one before.  Is this available from our local fish shop ?

 

Thanks again everyone.  Rob



#8 malawiman85

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  • Location: Geraldton

Posted 01 March 2017 - 05:22 PM

Kusuri Plus
Internal Parasite Clear

Easy option is go to Aquotix and get Internal Parasite Clear. Talk to the guys there about your issue... They're a helpful bunch.

#9 bigjohnnofish

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  • Location: Banjo Country aka just past Mundaring

Posted 02 March 2017 - 01:43 AM

if your gonna worm - may as well go for levamisole - it takes out pretty much all worms including cammalanus which seems to be popular again.... 

just be wary any medication can mess with your beneficial bacteria... and subsequently get ammonia rising...

 

cant say i have ever had a problem with api - nitrate test kit... i sometimes do a test on my tap water as a bench mark - so far over last 10 years i have never got any reading other than zero... and at the higher end of the scale i will test rtc tank and i never get zero ppm :)  i will test mates tank water from time to time and get 100ppm plus sometimes....  just remember to always shake the nitrate test bottles for a good 2min before use.... 






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