Big water problem

[Psb1968]

Panic over hopefully, I have to api test kits and I've been using the much older one done a test with the newer one ammonia 0 nitrites 20 nitrite 0 ,I've been doing 25% water changes every two weeks cleaning the filter every 6 weeks in tank water is that recommended ?
Thanks for all your advice
Peter

 

[Psb1968]

So everyday your ammonia levels read above 0 you'll be doing a heavy water change. The idea is to dilute the toxin as much as possible, so while it may seem excessive doing 75% every day it is necessary as the fish will continue excreting waste. As you've decided to use salt as treatment you'll also need to replace what you've taken out with each water change which is a massive faff unfortunately

As test results are fine as of this morning will I still need to do a water change and still use the salt ?
Peter

 

[CaptainBarnicles]

As test results are fine as of this morning will I still need to do a water change and still use the salt ?
Peter

That depends? Just check your previous post again as you've given me two readings for nitrite, obviously one is a typo. If nitrites are reading 0 and nitrates are reading 20 then you're good to go

 

[Psb1968]

That depends? Just check your previous post again as you've given me two readings for nitrite, obviously one is a typo. If nitrites are reading 0 and nitrates are reading 20 then you're good to go

Sorry typo nitrates 20 nitrites 0 ,when would you do the next water change I'm going away for a 10 days next Thursday should I do a 25% change Thursday morning ?
Peter

 

[Naughts]

Panic over hopefully, I have to api test kits and I've been using the much older one done a test with the newer one ammonia 0 nitrites 20 nitrite 0 ,I've been doing 25% water changes every two weeks cleaning the filter every 6 weeks in tank water is that recommended ?
Thanks for all your advice
Peter

Your results are good. You can dilute out the salt then stop the daily water changes. But monitor the water until you go away and any day you see ammonia or nitrite, do a water change.

Your routine is a little light on water volume and frequency. Do 50% weekly. This will prevent the nitrates rising (20 is the maximum recommended and as this is your reading straight after a water change it will go higher). Weekly is great but when life happens you'll know that 10 days or a fortnight won't be a problem.

The filter maintenance is good. What is the substrate? If it is gravel it is best to vac it with every water change.

When you go away, do a water change the day you go or the day before and don't feed the fish while you are away. As long as it is only one or two weeks the fish will be fine without food, and in planted tanks there are opportunities for them to eat microorganisms. Other people tasked with feeding the fish almost always over feed and automated dispensers can malfunction dumping the whole lot in, so both are best avoided! Fish do not need regular food energy like mammals as they are cold blooded. When you get back, the fish will be healthy, the water conditions will be good and the tank will be pristine.

 

[Psb1968]

Your results are good. You can dilutedilute out the salt then stop the daily water changes. But monitor the water until you go away and any day you see ammonia or nitrite, do a water change.

Your routine is a little light on water volume and frequency. Do 50% weekly. This will prevent the nitrates rising (20 is the maximum recommended and as this is your reading straight after a water change it will go higher). Weekly is great but when life happens you'll know that 10 days or a fortnight won't be a problem.

The filter maintenance is good. What is the substrate? If it is gravel it is best to vac it with every water change.

When you go away, do a water change the day you go or the day before and don't feed the fish while you are away. As long as it is only one or two weeks the fish will be fine without food, and in planted tanks there are opportunities for them to eat microorganisms. Other people tasked with feeding the fish almost always over feed and automated dispensers can malfunction dumping the whole lot in, so both are best avoided! Fish do not need regular food energy like mammals as they are cold blooded. When you get back, the fish will be healthy, the water conditions will be good and the tank will be pristine.

When you say dilute the salt I used 4 table spoons as recommended do you mean a 50% water change today or can I wait till next Thursday before I go away ? All the fish look healthy snails and shrimp all ok to
Thanks again
Peter

 

[Naughts]

When you say dilute the salt I used 4 table spoons as recommended do you mean a 50% water change today or can I wait till next Thursday before I go away ? All the fish look healthy snails and shrimp all ok to
Thanks again
Peter

Either way is fine, if you feel more comfortable without the salt, water change now as it is no longer needed.

 

[Psb1968]

Either way is fine, if you feel more comfortable without the salt, water change now as it is no longer needed.

Hi I'll monitor the fish till Thursday with water tests in between then do the water change, I have gravel which is heavily planted which made getting some of the unwanted cory pellets out ,I'll definitely do 50% water changes from Thursday