Tank in a mess

[skimpy]

Hi

I work for a school and they have a tropical fish tank in the science department. Since taking up this hobby i began to ask our Science Teacher questions about his tank and found out that I seem to have learned more in a few weeks that he knows. (Mainly thanks to reading a lot and you guys)

Anyway while he is away this week, i snuck in a did some water tests on his tank, the fish do not look happy and I was concerned.

Anyway, the test results were ph 3.8 Am 0 Nitrite 0 and Nitrate went off the scale 160+

Not being very experience in this type of water levels, I sent his assistant shopping this evening for some PH up to raise the levels of the PH. Some REAL plants to help the Nitrate and some WaterSafe for the Chlorine. Tomorrow morning we will do a 25 % water change - retest on Thursday and if necessary do another water change.

Am I doing the right thing guys


P.S. He has 6 Cardinal Tetra's 3 Pearl Gourami and 3 other fish I do not know.

I just want to make them feel better and happy again.

We need to do something because the school will close for 6 weeks (from next week) and the only thing I believe happens is that the cleaners put some food in occasionally.

P.P.S. You would think a SCIENCE TEACHER would understand the Nitrogen Cycle and look after his fish better.

 

[gadazobe]

Well, the good news is that the ammonia and nitrite are 0.

Do you know the ph of the water that's added to the tank - is it also very low? I don't like the idea of playing with the ph - fish will get used to the ph, be it high or low, as long as it is a stable ph and doesn't keep changing.

Nitrate, although not toxic, will stress the fish if it's in very high doses. Fresh plants will help keep those levels lower, but don't do a major water change to lower the level suddenly. The fish will go into shock - the level must be reduced gradually. Do a few small water changes every few days, this will give the fish time to adjust.

Is there any way that someone can keep an eye on the tank during the holidays?

 

[skimpy]

PH of the tap water was 7.4.

Is 25% water change too much or is it small enough not to shock the fish ??

There is no one to check on the fish during the Holidays, but I struggle with that so I may offer to go in myself.

 

[gadazobe]

I would do a slightly smaller one - about 10-15% and then a few days later another

 

[skimpy]

ok thanks a lot

 

[schizo_fish]

I would advise not to mess with the ph.
Just concentrate on lowering the nitrates over time.
Btw, high nitrates can often cause the ph to drop, so by lowing nitrates the ph sould come up slowly aswell.
hope that helps.

 

[skimpy]

OK

Hear what you are saying, YES it helps a lot

Thanks again

 

[Nina7777]

I highly doubt the fish will make it over the vacation unless someone can take care of them. Water changes should be done at least once a week and the fish should be fed at least three times a week.

I would talk to your teacher about it, and let them know that is upsetting you as well as the fish and see what he says. Maybe you could ask to bring them home, if you have an aquarium big enough to house them in. Or you could work something out with a few other fish knowledgable students to come in once a week for feeding and water changes.

 

[skimpy]

Yeah you are right

I would talk to your teacher about it, and let them know that is upsetting you as well as the fish and see what he says.

I will speak to him on Friday when he returns.

I have no spare tank at home so i expect I'll go in during the Holidays. I would hate to see them die.

 

[Nina7777]

Well it is a very nice thing for you to do especially on your vacation, and because your teacher is irresponsible so to you!

 

[skimpy]

Thanks - What can I say - I'm crazy 'bout fish

lol