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Iv heard a lot about this thing caled Old Tank Syndrome. My question is WHAT IS IT!?!?

I LOVE MY 55GALLON REEF!!!!!

Old tank syndrome can happen @anytime, not just after X many years.
Usually caused by poor maintence or overstocked conditions. Too much old organic matter that starts decomposing will cause the ph to fall. I think I remembered that right

To prevent against it some people suggest a regular dosing of bacterial additives like Cycle as well as proper maintence schedule.

^_^
[hr width='40%']"Somewhere beyond happiness and sadness
I need to calculate,what creates my own madness...
and I am waiting for disaster"

Here is an article which should answer your question.

Just to sum it up...

Basically, it is impossible to remove all the organic waste we put into the tank, be it from uneaten fish food, water conditioners, whatever. With the exception of insanely large water changes (very, very impractical on large tanks), whatever we put into the water will, in some quantity, stay in the water.

So, eventually, over a matter of months, this organic waste builds up, resulting in rising nitrate levels.

However, H+ ions are increased with this process, and this is what lowers the pH of the water. The buffers in the water will initially take care of this problem, but, eventually, the buffers will run out and the tank pH will plummit very quickly, probably killing most, if not all, of the fish.

Now, with a lower pH, it inhibits the function of the nitrifiers, and ammonia and nitrite levels will also rise, causing further distress to any remaining fish.

Basically, the only cure for OTS is a regimen of water changes. 20% a day should be good for that, because it will not raise the alkalinity and pH too quickly.

HTH.

Joe Potato

If you do water changes and gravel vacs weekly, you'll probably never have to worry about it. I do 50% plus water changes once a week and I've never had my Ph crash. One reason is that you are removing the waste (of course you never get it all) and another is the new water (unless your water is very soft and acid) will have buffers in it.

Have fun, Mike

20% DAILY!!!

to each his own. I've had plenty of sucess with 20% weekly. With that, my pH doesn't change too much. Example, my 46 BF is an amazon with a pH of about 6 and a low hardness (not sure on the exact number), however my tap has a pH of no lower than 7.8, and a hardness no softer than a brick. If I were to do daily water changes, the pH would go up. All my fish being established in a tank with acidic/soft water would die in my tap water.

Not to mention the price of dechlor. In all my tanks, 20% weekly has been fine and I've never had OTS.

Basically, the only cure for OTS is a regimen of water changes. 20% a day should be good for that, because it will not raise the alkalinity and pH too quickly.

Key word being "cure".

Racso, I meant 20% daily to restore equilibrium to the tank once OTS had struck, not as a regular maintenance schedule.

Joe Potato


Last edited by Joe Potato at 17-Feb-2005 14:57