Freshwater Questions

Question
I have a 54 gallon Corner tank with wet/dry filtration Bio Balls, soon to have a Magnum HOT micro filter and a 9 Watt UV Sterilizer, also plants. I know the fish will be spoiled. GEESH!! PH 7.6, Temp 80, No Ammonia, No Nitrites, 10 Nitrates.  I use Prime water conditioner because I have hard FL tap water with bad stuff.  I have one angelfish, one kissing gourami and one peppered cory.  I also have a 14 gallon quarantine tank with same water conditions and that has one Leopard Frog Pleco and one Leopard Cory, just purchased a week ago.  

My questions are as follows:

1.  Do I or don't I deworm both tanks for worms with Prazipro? Or Pepso Food? No signs of worms (except Gourami with white feces, but how do you know?

2.  If my fish are sometimes stationary like swimming in one place is this necesarily the disease of swinging, or whatever they call it. Or are they just resting?

3.  I have some cream sand substrate in my 54 gallon and I notice my kissing gourami (that I have had for 3 years previously in the 14 gallon on gravel) with white grainy feces, is this the sand coming out that it has swallowed? Read possibly constipation, but getting it to eat peas is difficult.  Any opinions on fish poop and health, GREAT fish Poop!

4. How do you really know your tank is filtering properly and that you are doing proper husbandry?  By the nitrate level?

5. Can I overdose with Prime Water Conditioner?

Thanks for helping me and have a lovely day.

Sincerely,
Wanny


Answer
Dear Wanny,

1.  I would not deworm the tanks.  It sounds like to me that your gourami might have ingested some sand, but after three years and quarantining your other fish worms are unlikely.

2.  If your fish are stationary this is normal behavior.  I have a gourami that just sits in one place most of the day looking at me.  He is in perfect health.

3.  I would try not feeding for a day.  This will help clean out his system.  If you still have the problem then maybe try removing him to a smaller tank without sand and see if you still have the problem.  

4.  This can be tricky but is not difficult.  If you do your water changes regularly and your ammonia, PH, etc... are right then I would say things look good.  

5.  I'm not sure about this, but from experience I don't use much.  I used the dose on the bottle when I started my last 100 gallon tank and then when I do water changes I use it only every other time.  There isn't enough chlorine to hurt the fish if your only doing about a 20% water change.  I have not had any fatalities from this method.  The fish are thriving well.