FishProfiles.com Message Forums

That's the case with all of my tanks and my pond. It's been 3 months with nothing done for them. They are all low on water.

The reason for it is that I had a lower back injury which kept me from it. Now, I can finally do something.

My plans: Tests...although I'm sure of what I'm going to find. High amounts of Nitrate and a low pH in the unbuffered tanks (though I have added small amounts of baking soda into the tanks during the 3 months; however, I hate adding it directly into the tank, so I'm sure I haven't added enough to maintain the pH). I might find a small amount of Nitrite and/or Ammonia, so...

I suppose I'll do 30% water changes on the larger tanks while on the smaller ones sticking with 20%. Slowly raise the pH with once a week water changes at a rate of .3 increases until they once again meet my satisfaction.

I suppose I'll add some cycle into every tank, just in case.

I think in the Malawi tank, I'll go with a 50% water change after stirring the sand up a lil bit.

What else can I do? Or should I do?

PS....there has been only one death during this time...an algae eater in a planted ten gallon tank...my end table tank really/dog water bowl or so they think so.

That sounds good actually. I'm sure some people will be angry that you haven't done any tank maintainence, but there's a ton of people that have fish that dont even know their supposed to do weekly maintainence. Personally, I refill my tank weekly, dechlorinating the water, due to evaporation. And I only do maintainence monthly. All my fish seem to be very happy...even though I can not keep a male swordtail alive for more then 3 months. But I do need to get into the weekly habit since I plan on getting a 55 gal soon for some Blue Dempsey Cichlids.

Over all, sounds like a great plan.

Tribe..

Sorry to hear of your troubles, I hope you are completely recovered from your injury.

Only thing I was going to add is, if this were my tanks I think I would try and double that partial water change schedule until you get the tanks back where they should be. I would do it twice weekly.

Good Luck..

I agree with Tammy, do twice weekly water changes. That way, your tanks will get to where they should be twice as fast. Also, I'd try to find a way to discourage my dogs from drinking out of the one tank, it's not healthy for dogs or fish.

---

And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."