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I'm using a Red Sea Fresh Lab test kit. My tank is shared in my profile. I have what the pet store called a 46 gal bow-front tank, but according to the calculator is only 34.3 gal.

My readings are Ammonia-NH3 @ 0.25, Nitrite-NO2 @ 0, pH @ 8.0, Temperature @ 82F.

Not sure if I need to do anything or not.

Hi, and WELCOME to FISH PROFILES!

I looked at your profile and found nothing about your
aquarium. I did see that you have a kennel.

Is your tank a new tank, only a few weeks to a couple of
months old? If so the Ammonia and nitrite readings indicate
that it has not yet cycled. Read this link:
http://www.fishprofiles.net/faq/begin-cycling.asp

If the tank is older and fully cycled, then the readings
could be due to a change in your water supply. Draw a
clean glass of water, allow it to sit for 24 hours (no
dog drinking allowed) and test it for ammonia. Sometimes
our water supplies have ammonia in them. That is a problem
for humans, but the bacteria colonies in the tank will soon
grow to use up that ammonia and you will see a mini cycle
as that happens.

Depending upon what you use for water conditioner to remove
chlorine and chloramine, they will alter the water
chemistry and give you a false reading for ammonia. The
instructions that come with the water conditioner will tell
you if that will happen.

Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

Sorry, guess is my logbook that I marked as shared. I'm new to this.

I'd like to get another Blue Ram to replace the one I lost so the other doesn't get lonely and go too. The pet stores are telling me that they are too sensitive to out water here, so they don't carry them. Guess I need some more studying.

Can I make them happy?

1 Common Pleco
2 Peppered Corydoras
2 Green Tiger Barb
2 Tiger Barb
1 Golden Danio
1 German (Blue) Ram
3 Bamboo Shrimp
3 Zebra Danio

rcjones52105's Tank
Length: 37"
Width: 12"
Height: 18"
Capactity: 130 L
34.3 Gal (US)
28.5 Gal (UK)
Recent Readings
Ammonia - NH3 0.0 ppm
Nitrite - NO2 0.0 ppm
pH 8.0
Temperature 82 °F

Oops, established tank since Mar 2006. I just removed a Opalescent Gourami, Bala Shark and Bosemani Rainbow fish; then did about 30% water change.

How are you measuring your bowfront? I don't think this site has a calc for one. If you just measure the width and length along the edges of the tank it won't be acccurate because the front curves. You'd have to calculate the gallons by the dimensions of the rectangle and then calculate the dimensions of the part circle created by the curve of the front glass. Basic geometry. Unless you've done that or used a bowfront specific calc it's probably 46gallons. 46g bows are pretty common.

Depending on the size of the fish you had in the tank I would say it was simple overstocking problems. You went beyond the capacity of the bacteria in the tank to convert ammonia to nitrite. Also removing the common plec will probably solve the last of your water quality problems. However the tank needs some restocking done. Personally I'd return the tiger barbs since they can be so nippy, then add 3 danios, 4-6 peppered(or at least similarly spotted) cories, and 1 blue ram. You could potentially setup both a tiger barb and danio school but I would not add another ram then. Both those fish will stress rams out and rams frequently die from just the stress of their environment even when water parameteres are perfect. Adding a small school of more peaceful tetras would be much better if you really want the rams. Rams will survive high ph water without problems so long as they are tankbred which most are anymore. I have 2 currently in our tapwater at 8.4ph. They'll do fine if acclimated properly and not wild caught. To breed them I do have to move them to a soft water tank but if that's not really your aim it's not a problem. They'll even still lay eggs in hardwater they just won't really hatch.

I think sham is right. Are you aware that the common pleco will grow to over eighteen inches in length? Also big waste producers.
ALso, 46g bowfronts are very common, I almost got one, still may at some point. the sizes you mentioned sound about right for a 46 but remember you must add all the volume from the bow.

Thanks for both responses. I am aware of the pleco's future size and waste output, am still working on finding him a new home.