I have 1 Oscar, 1 Parrot chicilid and 1Pleco I change about 10% of the water daily or every other day and vacuum the gravel frenquently is it normal to have these readings after a month and I have not had a ammonia spike yet is this normal?
2006-08-30 07:41:08 · 7 answers · asked by C live 5 in Pets ➔ Fish
How big is this tank? How often do you feed them? How frequently is frequently? How big are the fish?
All of these questions need answers so that we can help you.
You should be changing 25-30% of the water once a week (never change 100%). You shouldn't be vacuuming the gravel at all yet. Once the tank is cycled in, then vacuum half (either left side or right side) the tank about every six weeks. Then next time, do the other half. Do not remove all the bacteria, you need them.
The tank will become cloudy, this is a normal part of the cycling in of the tank. It will clear on its' own as the bacteria build up. Unless they are overcrowded or you are feeding them too much or too often. Once a day is fine for all fish. I only feed six days a week, the other day is just to clear out their systems.
If the fish are large, you need a large tank. The Oscar will get to about 12-15", the parrot about 8" and the pleco (if he is a common) can grow to 24".... yes, two feet. If they are too large, they will produce so much waste that you will always have problems.
Email me if you have more questions.
2006-08-30 08:22:22 · answer #1 · answered by 8 In the corner 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
This is not normal. 1. Check your tap water to see if it has ammonia in it. 2 How big a tank do you have for these fish, these get to be large fish and need a very large aquaria. 3. What kind of filter system do you have? BioWheel filters are very effective at reducing ammonia to nitrAte after the tank has cycled.
2006-08-31 07:18:40 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
What sort of filter are you using? What are the ammonia levels of the tap water? Are you over stocked, or over feeding? (tank size?how often much are you feeding?) Given 10% changes daily you shouldn't have any detectable ammonia level. You should be doing 10-20% changes per week.
2006-08-30 10:15:53 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
First things first, slow down on the water changes, fish tanks are supposed to be used for relaxation purposes, yours sounds like a part-time job!!
A partial water change once a week/every other week is more than enough!!
Your ammonia level should always, ALWAYS, be neutral, 0 , if you are having problems with your ammonia levels, you should cut back a little on your fish food, or try a higher quality food. If that fails, 1 tsp per 10g of baking powder, not baking soda, should help your ammonia and ph levels, if not just about every pet store sells an ammonia neutralizer!!
Good luck and happy fish keeping!
2006-08-30 08:05:24 · answer #4 · answered by alysinvunderland 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋
what size tank do you have ? all the fish you have get very big . don't change your water so often . do about a 25% once a week . make sure you are treating your water .you may be feeding them to much . a fish's stomach is only as big as it's eye .
2006-08-30 08:31:22 · answer #5 · answered by bearangelcindy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if you are using plait tapwater to replace the water when changed test the water from the tapto find if that is the source for your ammonia problems.
2006-08-30 08:01:47 · answer #6 · answered by colts fan 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
go with answer number to and add an air stone!
2006-08-30 08:31:11 · answer #7 · answered by kantianswer 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋