Fin Rot? Is it or Ain't it?

Here are some pics...I have been having a hell of a time with my water lately as well. My parameters have been flucuating almost daily. Like it is going through mini cycles.

My Tank is a 75g with 4 RBP 5"-6" with a couple of Common Plecs and mystery snails.

Today my parameters are:
Ph - 6.6
Ammonia - 0
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - off the freaking charts

Tomorrow these numbers will be different. I have been doing about 20% water changes about three time a week and cleaning my gravel twice a week and have not been able to level the water out where it should be.

I have been dealing with this for about 3 weeks and have not gotten anyhwere. Time to bring in some reinforcements.

Any Ideas?

Thanks!

...

how big are the plecs??

quantity of poo could be a simple cause. plecs dont stop, especially if you have lots of wood in the tank.

as to the finrot question, cant really tell from the pic, my plec splits his fins every now and then, if the nitrAte is that bad i'm guessing the plecs are a little restless and dart to the surface every now and then like a bullet. if so could just be damage from that. sort out the NitrAte before you do anything (easier said than done i know, sorry)

also what tank do you have (manufacturer) if it's a Juwel they do a NitrAte removal sponge which will help but only if it's slightly high. if you have 100PPM or more you need to deal with the root of the problem first.

hope this helps

What is your tap reading in nitrates, finrot can be stress due to pure water quality, does your filter sponges need a slight rinse to fetch the nitrates down.

jimbooo said:

how big are the plecs??

...especially if you have lots of wood in the tank.

...guessing the plecs are a little restless and dart to the surface every now and then like a bullet.

also what tank do you have (manufacturer)...

hope this helps

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My plecs are about 5" - 6" each. The pics are of one of my Piranha. My plecs are doing pretty good...they do have some fin damage but nor too bad. The plecs seem content they don't zoom to the top of the tank (they use to about 5 months ago). There is no wood in the tank...it is planted and I have som slate rock formations.

I'm not sure what type of tank it is. I have 4 pads in my filter, I changed those when I first started having problems, 2 at a time about a week apart.

here are some better pics of the possible fin rot...

BTW...my parameters today are:

Ph - 6.4
Ammonia - .25
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - still way high

I did a 20 -30 percent water change yesterday...

Thanks!

I would get a finrot med for that before it gets any worse.

Wilder said:

I would get a finrot med for that before it gets any worse.

Click to expand...

Thanks for the confirmation...

I'll do another water change and add it in.

I am going to be doing water changes daily because of the highe nitrates...how should I medicate?

Tells you in the instructions, sorry don't no as i don't live in the US good luck, hope the fish well soon.

Wilder said:

Tells you in the instructions, sorry don't no as i don't live in the US good luck, hope the fish well soon.

Click to expand...

Thanks for the help!