Question
75 gal malawi tank
hello,
I've kept fish for years but have never done African Cichlids. I just purchased a fully stocked 75 gallon tank and moved it across town to my home. Transferred approx 40 gal of the original water and kept original crushed coral, rocks, and plants to help the biological process and to help make the transfer easier. The fish were moved in 2 5 gallon sealed buckets with some of the plants thrown in to help keep them from fighting. With few exceptions all look healthy after the move except for a couple that I've transferred out of the tank due to beat up fins to allow them to heal before reintroducing. The remaining fish have good color and no obvious sign of disease.
Tank has been set up for 2 days now and fish look good but many are keeping fins flat and beginning to rub on the rocks some. I want to catch something before an outbreak occurs. As of right now Ammonia reading is .5. Nitrates are a little high at around 40. Nitrites are at 1.0. I've added PRIME in the recommended doses to neutralize this and lower the readings but they are not budging. Any help is appreciated as I've wanted this type of tank for a long time and would really like to cut off a problem before it gets serious.
Thank you
AnswerHi Chris,
I saw this in the question pool, and it's been there for quite some time, so I thought I'd take time to answer this for you since I used to raise Africans.
First of all, the tank is gorgeous. Good job on the decorations.
Okay, first of all, I don't like these readings at all. Any nitrites is panic time, imo. No ammonia either.
Let's start by getting the ammonia and nitrites down.
Search, first, for a dead fish. If you don't find one, please go to the store and purchase Zeolyte crystals and a net. Insert a full net or two in the filtration system and that will kill the ammonia issue for the timebeing. Change the crystals out every 3 to six months.
Meantime, something is dead somewhere, or the nitrites would not be up.
If not, it's a canister filter just guessing here), or something inside a filter that's rotting.
I see a Marineland downtube in the back, which means you must be using a double-sided Marineland biofilter, probably the 350 to 400, but I would recommend adding at least one more. That is completely insufficient filtration (which is why ammonia and nitrates are up) and if you add another, this might just nip the issue in the bud, entirely.
Still, you should change out 25% of the water, tonight, and in 3 days, 25% more. Then every other week, for a month or two, take out 10% and let's see if that doesn't get it stabelized better.
Go to Petco and search for a product called Biozyme. Get the freshwater version. Please dose the aquarium with an appropriate amount. These enzymes will help form beneficial bacteria to help fight future water quality issues.
Water that looks clean is not always clean.
Nitrates, ammonia and nitrites are water quality issues.
Okay, now onto the question about rubbing against rocks...usually, that is a sign of impending ICH infestations. Be certain to watch for small white specks on fish fins and gills. If you see them, get Quick Cure and dose the tank immediately. Raise the temperature to 84 (I suggest africans stay at 80 on a regular basis) and see if that doesn't kill it off.
Please feel free to respond and write anytime with questions about your africans.
Renee
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