water care

Question
I have had my tank for 4 years.  I have 3 gouramies, a plecos, 3 clown loaches, and live plants.  The tank is a 30 gallon tank and the fish have not outgrown its size.  However, lately I have been having pH problems.  I have used pH up and several buffers, but cant seem to get the pH to stabalize.  Once I stop the pH up and/or the buffer the pH begins to decline.  I have done water changes from 10% to 50% and 80% trying to get the pH back up.  My ammonia level has always been clear.  The only thing I knotice is that my nitrate level tends to be high.  I do I get the nitrate level down and what could be causing the pH to decrease?  Thanks

Answer
Hi Brany;

You need to do more frequent water changes to get the nitrates down and the pH stabilized. The high nitrates are why your fish have not grown much. They should be a pretty good size by now.

Replace 25% of the water once a week and vacuum the gravel every 2 to 3 weeks. Don't overfeed and the nitrates and pH will stabilize on it's own. It is best not to use pH adjusting chemicals. They cause fluctuations that are more dangerous to your fish than a less-than-desireable pH level. The natural method of doing it with water changes is much safer and healthier. Cheaper too! The only additive you need is a water conditioner that removes chlorine, chloramine and helps with stress.

To get things back on track quicker right now it is perfectly fine to make a 25% water change as often as every day for a week or so. Once it is all normal again, do them once a week from then on. Being consistent is very important. Changing water after a long period of time can shock the fish because the water chemistry has become so much different than the fresh water once was out of the tap. If you go through a period that you aren't able to make those changes when they are supposed to be done, ('life' happens and we sometimes can't get to it) just make a few smaller ones every day for a few days to get things back on track.

At Your Service;
Chris Robbins