HELP!!!

[purplephilly]

I need some ideas what to do..my water parameters have been off for over a week and I can't get them fixed...the tank has been set up for two years. My husband did a no no last week when he cleaned the tank and gave it a very good cleaning. now I can't get my water right. I've been doing first 25% water change then10% very day. The numbers are
PH 6.2
KH 0
GH 300
Nitrite 0
nitrate 200

I have mollies in the tank it is a 20 gal. tall tank
what should I do??

 

[Sassygrrl]

Is your PH normally that low? If not, you can use PH UP from your LFS. For immediate nitrate control you can use Amquel+ (make sure it has the +). That removes nitrites, nitrates, and ammonia. It works great when I have tank booboo's. Did he clean all the "good" bacteria out of the filter too? That could be why your tank is going to cycle again. If you can, get your hands on some bio-spira. I can't find any in Houston, but you may have luck elsewhere.

Fortunately, Mollies are hardy fish. That's what I raise. Is it a molly only tank? If so, you can help reduce the stress with some sea salt.

 

[purplephilly]

my PH is normally around 7 to 7.5 I did put 2 tsps sea salt in. I only have mollies and 1 pleco in the tank. I'll see if I can find the stuff you said to try..thank you so much

 

[Sassygrrl]

Unfortunately, the pleco will not like the salt. So, stray from that....

But the Amquel+ is a miracle-worker on nitrates and nitrites. Good luck!

 

[totalbolshevik]

Don't use anything to try to raise the pH... The effect goes away after a short time, and it ends up being stressful on the fish. Probably the pH would go up if he did a really good cleaning... 6.2 isn't that low, I think the mollies will tolerate it. Not sure about the pleco though.

 

[purplephilly]

I already put the PH up in the tank...I'm going to move the pleco out..the pleco looks like he is stressed..he is swimming in circles so I'm going to put him in another tank..

 

[totalbolshevik]

Well, in that case... I really don't recommend the stuff, like I said, the pH will go up and then down again, which is hard on your fish. Good idea moving the pleco. Are the fish relatively healthy? Or do they look sick?

 

[purplephilly]

all of the fish except the one sailfin molly look fine. I moved him to the hospital tank. they are eating ,swimming (mating) lol..