whats wrong with my tanks

Question
QUESTION: I've got 3 tanks, 1 is 30 gallon, 1 is 10 gallon and another one is 5 gallons. I have 3 TinFoil Barbs each are about 3 1/2 inches and 3 Leporinus- 1 is about 4 inches and the other two are about 3, 3 1/2 inches. I also have 4 black tetras with them too. We had  two botias one was yo-yo  and another I'm not sure of the name. Yo-Yo botia died due to tramatic pH and ammonia changes (which was sudden) we have since moved one botia in the other tank (into 5 gallons tank) to save him from going through more trauma since the 5 gallons seem to be the best of pH balance in it out of all. which read about 6.6. I've spoken to many many different people including fish stores and api. I've been getting different responses from everybody. I made a mistake listening to this one guy at fish store advice to blow out all the trash that was under my biological filter (underground filter) in doing so, I assume that I've lost most of my beneficial bacteria due to this. Now the tank seem to be re-cycling over again. And showing no signs of alages. I've never had this problem in 3 to 4 years that I've had my tank. I've been doing alot of water changes like 25-50 percent once a day. Adding stress coat. Ammonia levels are reading 8.0 even though after I did a water change. It's not bringing the ammonia down lower. It's still reading 8.0  same with 10 and 5 gallons tanks. I tested the tap water to make sure that my test kit was still good. My reading are at about 1.0 for tap water.Also in 30 gallons and 10 gallons tanks my pH level are droppingfrom 7.0 or higher to 6.0 or lower within an hour or over night. I cannot explain this. I'm hoping you can help me out? I was told by the fish store not to change my 10 gallons tank for a month but I'm worried if I do that the ammonia will kill my fishes. so I've been keeping up with water changes in 10 gallons as well too everyday. I'm wondering if maybe you can help me understand why after 3 to 4 years of no problems this all of sudden happens? Thanks
Eric

ANSWER: Hi Philip

Is the undergravel filter the only type of filter you have in these tanks? If it is, this is your problem. Undergravel filters make good supplements to power filters, but should never be the primary filter in the tank. I suggest adding hang on back power filters to each of these tanks. Bio-Wheel filters are the best choice. In the 5 gallon and the 10 gallon, a Penguin 100B, and in the 30 gallon a Penguin 150B or 200B. I always use the next size up from what my aquariums require.

Next, with each water change, you should thoroughly vacuum the gravel. This will remove the excess food particles and fish waste from the gravel without having to "blow out" anything. You should also be changing the carbon cartridges on your undergravel filter once a month. Undergravel filters only filter the water, they do not remove excess food and waste from the gravel. Never change more than 10% of the water daily. This is bad for your fish. Only in severe cases like you over medicated the tank should a 50% water change be done.

pH is really only important when trying to breed fish. Most fish will be fine in a wide range of pH levels from 6.0 to 8.0. The only exception would be African Cichlids who need a pH of 8.5 and higher. Having said that, a fluctuating pH and high ammonia level is a different story.

I would start by adding a power filter to each of these tanks as mentioned above. Put new cartridges on your undergravel filters. There should be enough beneficial bacteria in the gravel without causing too much of a new cycle process. And, I doubt by removing the waste from under the gravel that you interfered with the bacteria. Keep an eye on your ammonia/nitrate/nitrite levels until the new filters are established though. Do 10-15% water changes every few days as necessary. After that, maintain 25% water changes weekly and remember to clean the gravel. Change out the carbon in your filters every 2 weeks or at least once a month.

Hope this helps, good luck!

Richard

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: hello, thank you so much for your help. I did however forget to mention that we do have power filters on the back of our tanks. each tank has an under gravel filter and a power filter that hangs over the back of the tank. the power filters i have for my ten and 5 gal tank are just cartridge filters with carbon and rated for the proper tank size. I'm sorry the 5 gallon tank has power filter but its just a carbon pad along with to white pads that act as the filtration. I do however have a question about the carbon cartridges you speak of for under gravel filters. I have never heard of this before and it was never mentioned to me before when i first set up 3 to 4 years ago. I use a Maxi-Jet 900 series power pump to run the gravel filter in my 30 gallon tank. the power filter that hangs over back is a Aqua-Tech 20-40 gallon Power filter with a bio filter pad that goes with it, I never rinse this but i do change the carbon cartridges on a regular basis about ever 2 weeks. I will however try out these bio wheel filter you spoke of and see if maybe they help the situation any. I have also been thinking about getting an extra power head to increase the flow of filtration in my gravel. do you think this would be beneficial. And AGAIN THANK YOU.

ANSWER: Hi Philip

Here is an article I would like for you to read...

http://www.bestfish.com/ug.html

After reading this article, I believe part of your problem is with the undergravel filter. I used to keep both undergravel filters and power filters running in a lot of my tanks. About a month ago, I removed all of the undergravel filters from the tanks that had them. I do think they make good supplements for power filters, but are not necessary. With as many tanks as I have, I need maintenance to be as simple as possible. I did keep the filter in a couple of my Cichlid tanks, but their purpose now is to protect the bottom glass of the tank when the Cichlids toss large rocks around.

Also, if you just have a powerhead running your undergravel filters, you are likely not getting sufficient filtration from them. I've never used powerheads in any of my tanks, I don't like the strong currents they create, they make it difficult for the fish.

Some undergravel filters come with carbon cartridges that fit the top of the lift tubes. These are the carbon cartridges I was referring to.

Another part of your problem is not rinsing your power filter media, The carbon should be replaced every 2 weeks and when you clean the gravel and change the water, your filter media should be rinsed off in the water you siphon out, not tap water. Dip it in the bucket you siphon the water into and give it a few good shakes. This will remove excess particles in it without killing the beneficial bacteria.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Ok,I have read your articles and  suggestions. I thank you a great deal for all of your help. My quest ion now would be would it be ok for me to remove my UGF at this point after running it for 3 to 4 years. and if  so what steps should i take when doing this. so not to harm my fish.

Answer
Hi Philip

Yes it would be ok. You have to take the fish out and put them in a temporary holding container. Take out the decorations, but not the gravel. Then just pull it out and let the gravel fall back to the bottom.

Do a water change and vacuum the gravel thoroughly. Replace the carbon in your power filter, put the decorations back in, fill the tank back up with clean water, conditioned with Aquasafe or StressCoat. Let the filter run for about 30 minutes to clean debris out of the water. Pour some of the water that the fish are in into a ziploc bag and float the fish in the tank for about 15 minutes to equalize the temperature. Then put them back in the tank.

Good luck!

Richard